Spring Stock Risers – Class of 2019
(Cover Photo: Cheryl Myers/MNFootballHub.com)
Evan Hull, RB – Maple Grove (N/R to No. 5)
Although Hull had only seeing garbage-time action as a Crimson sophomore, there were rumblings around the metro that he was primed for a special 2017 season. Then Hull began his junior campaign by ripping off 11 straight games of 125 rushing yards or more, including a school record 397 against Roseville.
Hull’s ascension was the main reason why Maple Grove was able to absorb the loss of quarterback Brad Davison. The 5-foot-11, 185-pounder averaged more than 28 carries per game, with a 6.3 yards per attempt rate.
He also helped the Crimson advance to the state semifinals before losing to Eden Prairie at U.S. Bank Stadium. NFN’s fifth-ranked junior currently holds Football Championship Division scholarship offers from North Dakota State, South Dakota State, North Dakota and Northern Iowa, as well as multiple Ivy League offers.
Aaron Syverson, QB – Minnetonka (N/R to No. 6)
Minnetonka’s Aaron Syverson led the Skippers to the Class AAAAAA title game last fall. (Anthony Souffle/Minneapolis StarTribune)Syverson was a “key newcomer” on coach Dave Nelson’s season preview last August, which turned out to be quite the understatement.
He led Minnetonka to an 11-2 record and a state runner-up finish in Class AAAAAA. Syverson helped guide the offense to an average of 27 points per game, throwing for more than 2,000 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was also extremely accurate, completing almost 64 percent of his passes — the fifth best percentage for quarterbacks around the state with 200 attempts or more last fall according to statistics on MNFootballHub.com.
The 6-foot, 190-pound signal caller recently picked up his first Division I scholarship offer from Northern Illinois. He’s firmly entrenched alongside Eden Prairie’s Cole Kramer as one of the top quarterbacks in the Class of 2019, checking in at No. 6 in the most recent prospect rankings.
Raphael Orubo, DL – Woodbury (No. 45 to No. 7)
Woodbury’s Raphael Orubo will be the Royals second-straight, Division I defensive lineman. (Photo from Hudl.com)Orubo is the third-straight defensive player from Woodbury to earn Football Bowl Subdivision scholarship offers and second-straight defensive lineman.
The 6-foot-3, 270-pound defensive tackle was offered by Mountain West Conference schools New Mexico and Wyoming earlier this winter after his All-District junior season. He tallied 32 tackles and 5.5 sacks, teaming with David Alston to form one of Minnesota’s best one-two punch up front.
Orubo, who will be a three-year starter for the Royals, rose 38 slots to No. 7 in the newest Class of 2019 player rankings. He was also offered by South Dakota and South Dakota State, and has taken unofficial visits to both Minnesota and Iowa the past few months.
Will Mostaert, DL – Lakeville North (No. 77 to No. 22)
Lakeville North’s Will Mostaert will be one of the leaders of the Panthers defense next season. (Mike Shaughnessy/Hometown Source)Mostaert earned playing time as a sophomore on the Panthers offensive line, competing with some of the biggest and best players around the state in 2016. That experience was the foundation on which his stellar junior season was based. It was also a big reason why Mostaert jumped 55 spots to 22nd in the latest junior class player rankings.
Mostaert played both ways for much of the season for Lakeville North, excelling at both the H-back and defensive tackle positions. He earned All-District honors while recording 39 tackles, including 12 for a loss to lead the Panthers defense. Coach Brian Vossen calls Mostaert, “unbelievably explosive off the ball, super tough and very athletic.”
The 6-foot-3, 235-pounder is on the recruiting radar of almost every FCS school in the upper Midwest, along with his twin brother, Eli. Both players recently received a scholarship offer from South Dakota, their first in the recruiting cycle.