I’ll tell ya what, the Duluth area was as chock-full of talent as it’s ever been last fall. In addition to the likes of Koi Perich Koi Perich 6'2" | 200 lbs | ATH Esko | 2024 State MN , Braedyn Male Braedyn Male 6'5" | 230 lbs | DL Esko | 2024 State MN , and Zach Bentler Zach Bentler 6'4" | 230 lbs | DL Two Harbors | 2024 State MN , the 2025 class surrounding Duluth is more than ready to step into the spotlight and debuted some very impressive and high-ranking athletes into the upper echelons of the state’s recruiting scene in the recently updated 2025 PRzMN official rankings. One of the headliners goes to Two Harbors‘ electric playmaker and multi-sport standout Tate Nelson, who is one of the verified fastest athletes in Minnesota. Owning PRs of a 10.92 100M and 21.94 200M, plus a 22’5.75″ long jump, Nelson won the Class A 100M and long jump event at state as a sophomore in the spring/summer of 2023 and is more than poised to beat those numbers this coming spring.

You may have heard me mention it before, but there is a real difference between “track speed” and “football speed”, and if one possesses the former, they own the ability to be a real-deal game-changer on the gridiron. Lucky for Nelson’s future collegiate suitor, the junior possesses both, and as a triple-option RB/WR in 2023, he was able to showcase his speed and effective footwork all over the field. Nelson easily cruises past defenders when he gets into space and is working to or has taken the sideline on a defense and can burn second and third-level defenders without exerting a visible extra effort, and I enjoy how he’s light-footed and quick when making would-be tacklers miss. Plus, the junior displays good vision, weaves and sorts through traffic well, can slip through tackle attempts and demonstrates good contact balance for his size, and can cut at top speed and go from a dead stop to full tilt quickly and impressively. Don’t sleep on the Outstate’s speed or you’ll regret it!

Nelson found the podium twice last spring, taking first in the 100 meters and the long jump. He just missed being a triple champion with a second-place finish in the 200 meters. Obviously, speed is a big key to his game, but the junior only needs a little space to make catches. He has excellent vision once he has the ball, so much so that he is a big part of the Agates’ running game on jet sweeps and off-tackle runs from the slot. He has good length but is strong with the ball and will break a tackle if the defender does not square him up. Primarily an offensive player, Nelson is also a dynamic kick returner and plays some defensive back.