It’s always fun to see which MN high school football players will step up and take hold of the spotlight during the blink-of-an-eye season, and last year two Owatonna Huskies took advantage of the up-for-grabs glory from late August to late November. It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that some 507 standouts were some of the top performers from the 2023 season, and Owatonna’s prep football program regularly holds down one of the top spots in Southern Minnesota, and in an even more fun twist, the two 2023 season top performers happen to be brothers. The Jacob Ginskey (2024, QB, GAC commit) to Nolan Ginskey (2025, WR) connection was one of the most productive in the state last fall, with Jacob finishing the season with a 60% completion percentage (158 of 263) for 2,547 yards and 21 TDs to a mere 4 INTs with his brother Nolan snagging 73 of those receptions for 1,194 yards and 8 TDs for some serious offensive firepower. With Jacob off to St. Peter to play for MIAC contender Gustavus, a nice pickup by the Gusties I may add, the spotlight is now solely focused on Nolan, who came into December’s PrepRedzoneMN Stock-Up Showcase and tore up both the testing and 1v1 portions of the event, posting a blazing 4.53 40, 4.35 short-shuttle, 9’1″ broad, and 6.7 L-drill for one of the best testing performances of the entire day.

The junior tape emphasizes the speed as well. Ginskey can easily turn routine first-level receptions into explosive TD runs that spotlight his acceleration and extra gear of pace that helps him blow past pursuit angles and finish TD runs with 10+ yards between him and the nearest defender. Able to lineup and do damage from multiple WR spots, the 5’11, 170 lber. possesses smooth and seamless acceleration that helps him float past opponents as easily as you or I would walk out the front door and he can take the top off the defense and outrun his brother’s strong arm in multiple reps on his junior tape. If you give him a hole or seam, he’s gone. I also like how he is fearless and concentrated when going up and high-pointing the football out of the air, and he displays good vertical ability and ball skills, as well as a big catch radius and smooth and quick footwork at the top of the route. Also posted 28 tackles, 8 PBUs, 4 INTs, and a pick-six defensively, and with his playmaking ability, Ginskey is more than versatile enough to make for a heckuva safety at the next level as well. No offers yet!

1194 yards 8 touchdownsrnLike the previous two receivers, Ginskey’s speed absolutely jumps off the screen. Defenders look like they have him lined up, but his acceleration makes defenders’ angles disappear quickly. The junior adjusts well to the ball and, combined with his size, has a big catch radius. Along with his toughness, his size makes him dangerous even when taking contact at the moment of the catch. Lined up usually in the slot, straight-line speed is Ginskey’s biggest strength, but he can be creative in the open field with his footwork and ability to avoid defenders. A two-way player, Ginskey defends receivers in the Huskies’ secondary.