One of my personal favorites from the 2027 class and a kid I’m willing to stand on the table for early, Orono’s hard-hitting safety Owen Paulsen Owen Paulsen 5'11" | 159 lbs | DB Orono | 2027 State MN caught my eye in the Spartans‘ highly-ranked showdown with Totino-Grace during the 2024 regular season, one of the toughest games of the whole of 2024. Against the Eagles, Paulsen stood out for a couple of reasons. #1: he was a sophomore starter on Orono’s physical and experienced defense. #2: Paulsen was rocking a clubbed hand, which when combined with #3: his fearlessness and aggression into contact and tackling ability, were a combination you couldn’t take your eyes off of. Paulsen will clean your clock, and he could also be on a PrepRedzoneMN 2027 “Most Explosive” article, as Paulsen took an eye-popping two kickoff returns back for six as a sophomore. There’s favorable data suggesting that multi-phase contributors, as well as specific evidence that players who can take kicks back for six have the kind of high-level athleticism that translates to successful college football careers. Paulsen can put on the burners as a returner and take a kick back to the house untouched, and that same speed helped him put booming tackles on tape. Paulsen comes into contact at an all-out sprint and with lethal intentions, creating big-time, highlight-reel-worthy collisions whether he chooses to go low or high. He also possesses impressive defensive range and play speed, especially in run support, and is a physical enforcer as the third level who closes decisively and with pace. The sophomore is a sideline-to-sideline defender in run support and pass defender and is a lethal and ballhawking MOF defender who can read, cover ground and make plays on the ball all over the field. If you make an errant pass, Paulsen is going to make you pay. The Spartans free safety also has some good reps of him hawking down loose ball carriers as well. The sophomore totaled 42 total tackles, 3 INTs, and 2 kickoff returns for six, numbers I’m putting money on he’ll best in 2025. You want a fun and hard-hitting DB to watch? Look no further.