Saw His Ranking Rise 47 Spots from #89 to #42

Our new LB2 is one player who I am itching to get some verified testing data on, especially after being a lynchpin on a senior-heavy 6A squad that went undefeated and a Big School state championship in 2024. At the time of the last update, Skanson was a non-varsity TE/LB who seemed to get more reps on the offensive side of the ball than on defense, but things can change quickly, and the Maple Grove product is a testament to what hard work over the offseason an do for a player. Skanson is hovering somewhere between 6’1 and 6’2 and between 210 and 220 lbs., and the well-built junior posted 64 tackles, 9 TFLs, 2 sacks, 2 FF, and 2 INT on the #1 defense in Minnesota in 2024.

Skanson’s junior year offseason is off to a hotter start than almost all of his 2026 peers as well. Ivy League heavyweights Cornell and Princeton have already reached out with FCS roster spots in the last month, and with Skanson’s size, varsity and big game experience, production, instincts, and physicality are making sure that more high-powered suitors will continue to come calling. The junior opens his tape with a beautiful read, tackle, and strip of a Minnetonka ball carrier in the state title game that was returned for a TD by his teammate, highlighting his ability to get into the backfield quickly, tackle in space, and create splash plays for his defense. The 215 lber. is quick and slippery when working through and under blocking attempts from interior linemen, uses his hands well when disengaging from blockers, and his play speed helps him pursue to the sideline, make an impact as a blitzer, and close with pace and physicality. I love how he times out the snap and shoots gaps effectively to get into the backfield unblocked, where he can finish 1v1 tackles in space, and Skanson brings his hips and runs his feet after contact, making for some big collisions that noticeably snapped RB and QB heads back at initial contact. Plus, can drop into passing lanes and disrupt an opponent’s passing attack. The junior seems like he can do everything well, and he does so in fluid, aggressive, and urgent fashion. I’m hoping we can see how high his ceiling is this offseason.

Skanson forced a fumble that Jacob Wrbanek Jacob Wrbanek 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB Maple Grove | 2025 State MN scooped up and found his way into the end zone. Later, Skanson stuffed an off-tackle run and shot a gap to make a tackle for loss.