One of the top players in Outstate Minnesota going into the fall, Moorhead Spud rising senior and Fargo Davies transfer DB/WR Owen Thielges is repping the 701 in standout fashion and comes in as one of Top Newcomers in yesterday’s PRzMN 2025 Official Rankings Update. With a multi-sport background and two-way contributing ability on the gridiron, Thielges posted 75 tackles, 6 INTs, 5 PBUs, and 5 TFLs in 2023 along with 29 receptions for 313 yards and 6 TDs as a wideout. He’s creating some buzz on the recruiting trail as well, earning junior day invites from Minnesota, North Dakota State, North Dakota, and South Dakota State, along with just about every team in the NSIC as well as Valley City State.

A good athlete at the position who reports a 4.6 (laser) 40, 4.15 short-shuttle, and 9’7 broad jump, Thielges possesses good body control and is able to make big-play impacts in both run and pass defense. The 6’2, 185 lber. shows a smooth back pedal, gets out of his breaks with noticeable pace, and anticipates and plays the ball well in the air. He’s comfortable in man coverage from the slot, processes and reads the QB & opposing pass concepts quickly, and is one of those prep safeties who is always around the football, and due both to his athleticism and instincts, gets the benefit of the bounce and makes a ton of plays on the pigskin. Speaking of processing quickly, Thielges processes and triggers on the ball well, both in run and pass defense. When he diagnoses a run, he’s like a bat out of hell running the alley and closes very quickly on ball carriers, and is able to tackle in space as well. He closes so quickly he makes first contact at the LOS in run support from the high safety spot, and I also like how he attacks and takes on blocks with his inside shoulder to easily shed and make the tackle. He’s got Missouri Valley written all over him.

Owen Thielges debuts as our #27 ranked overall junior and as DB4.