PrepRedzoneMN Showcase Standouts: OL/DL
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We are finally at feature 3/3 reviewing the standout performers from our inaugural PrepRedzoneMN Showcase from a week ago in Savage and will be wrapping things up by checking out some of my favorite offensive and defensive lineman from last…
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Continue ReadingWe are finally at feature 3/3 reviewing the standout performers from our inaugural PrepRedzoneMN Showcase from a week ago in Savage and will be wrapping things up by checking out some of my favorite offensive and defensive lineman from last Monday’s event. The big boys came to compete during Session 1 of the Showcase, and I must admit I think I was able to watch and evaluate these two position groups better than any other at the event. There was also some considerable talent there, with STUDS from the classes of 2021, ’22, ’23, and even some brave ’24ers. There were First Team All-State selections, All-Metro awardees, Division 1 offerees, and future P5 recruits all in attendance, and with the LOScrimmage coaches leading the event the energy was noticeably higher and as the kids say: “lit.” The below notable performers included kids from the great states of South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, so scroll below to find out who stood out and why! Thanks for reading.
Defensive Lineman
Bib #1: Charlie Boucher Charlie Boucher 6'3" | 230 lbs | TE MPLS Southwest | 2022 State MN (MPLS Southwest) 2022. 6’2.5, 215 lbs. Tested well with a 4.81 40 and a 4.8 flat on the short shuttle and was a versatile athlete who also stayed and competed in the second portion as a TE. I’ve gotten to watch a lot of tape of Boucher as he goes to my alma mater, and I know I’ll sound like a homer but I think he is a Division 1 talent, and with Southwest having back-to-back years putting out a Division 1 signee I don’t think what I’m saying is a stretch. The kid can also play LB, and he moves well and knows how to use his hands to keep lineman off of him and has good bend in his speed rush moves. Also has the lateral quickness to pop inside to beat lineman there, and has a good frame with a ton of room to add more weight. High ceiling who is going to have the chance to have a featured role on both the Lakers offense and defense next season.
Bib #3: Christian Connelly (Byron) 2022. 6’2.5, 180 lbs. Undersized but long, quick, and strong, the Byron junior has all the makings to be another ultra productive defensive lineman for the Bears like senior teammate Colton Douglas, who took the 2020 season by storm and earned himself a First Team All-State nod. He clocked in at a 4.55 short-shuttle with a 9’2 broad jump, so he may have the fixings to play some LB as well, and I liked his jump off of the snap and hand placement.
Bib #5: Josh Franklin Josh Franklin 6'3" | DL Fridley | 2021 State MN (Fridley) 2021. The First Team All-State selection I mentioned in the intro, Fridley’s 2020 was productive and dominant and I was stoked to add him to the Showcase roster. He’s a multi-time state placer in the wrestling tournament and had a tournament coming up, so although his weight isn’t where it would be during football season I think it’s still a quality testament to his love of football and competition. He was one of the quickest DL at the event, and his loose hips, variety of pass-rush moves and counters, and ability to anticipate OL moves and sets were all very impressive. He won a lot of reps before you could even blink, and showcased why he is such a good wrestler as he played low and understood leverage well. All in all he had a really good showing. I’m hearing that a commitment may be coming up for the Fridley stud…
Bib #13: Kendis Ledbetger (Sioux Falls Washington, SD) 2022. 6’2, 240 lbs. Had probably the most impressive testing portion of the event for the DL, as he ran a 4.91 and 4.93 in the 40 at 240 lbs., then followed it up with a 4.75 short-shuttle and an 8’6 broad jump. The junior was the earliest arrival at the event and drove the 3 and a half hours to get there for check-ins at 8:45, so you know dang well that’s a kid trying to make it. That hunger and hard work payed off in-person as well, as he was very impressive in 1-on-1s as well and had a sound get-off with good technique and low pad level. He also had one of the hardest punches of the DL, and his pop was hard enough where OL had to respect it and set themselves up to get beat on a speed rush outside or a strong rip and/or stab. There was a ton to like, and he’s receiving Missouri Valley attention for a reason.
Bib #15: Martin Owusu (Prior Lake) 2023. 6’3, 245 lbs. One of two exceptional 2023s with P5 potential at the camp, Owusu was built like a brick wall and had some shimmy and wiggle for a big guy capable of playing at the 1T, 3T, or 5T at the 6A level in MN. He’s got some thunderous hands and combined with a good get-off at his weight he was a ruthless power-rusher with a mean bull rush and some good counters off his initial engagement. He also had some good hips for his size and age, and looked good running Indy. He had 24/7Sports contributor Ryan Burns really intrigued, and it’s also worth noting he’s the varsity heavyweight on a traditionally ranked or lean-and-mean 3A big-school wrestling squad of Prior Lake. I think his ceiling is that of a FBS defensive lineman. Keep your eyes out for him!
Bib #18: Jaden Sharkey (Union Grove, WI) 2023. 6’2.5, 361.6 lbs. The second of the two standout 2023s I mentioned came from Union Grove, WI sophomore DT Jaden Sharkey. He was one of three Union Grove athletes to earn themselves a PrepRedzone Shoutout for their camp performance, and the big man was a force in the middle and basically unblockable on bull rushes. For his size he’s a good athlete and can move and shake like a man much smaller than his size. He’s got quick feet and keeps his hands active, and if he can add some more muscle and get his weight down a little he’s got the potential to be literally massive get for a Division 1 program.
Bib #23: Mason Wilson (Stillwater) 2022. 6’3, 235.6 lbs. The junior Stillwater Ponies pass-rushing menace came in with a tender hamstring but still put up a 4.9 flat in the 40, 4.56 in the short-shuttle, and a 8’10 broad jump. A Jake Lemming favorite, Wilson has the lower-body that would make a college coach really excited, with gigantic quads and a ton of muscle in his legs. He’s also broad-shouldered, with long arms and big hands, and I’m not exaggerating when I say he’s got one of the best get-offs I’ve seen in the past few years at least of any high school DE in MN. It was as impressive as I saw on his Hudl, and his technique and how compact he gets in his stance really generates a ton of force and is overwhelming in both speed and power for most OL at the showcase and just in MN in general. He had the DII’s PUMPED, and although he ended up kind of tweaking his hammy he did more than enough to adequately display his talent. He’s a Division DE in my eyes.
Bib #230: Cheick Kaba Cheick Kaba 6'1" | DL Fridley | 2021 State MN (Fridley) 2021. 6’1, 245 lbs (is wrestling currently.) Recently signed to South Dakota State on a full ride to play himself some Missouri Valley Conference football. A late addition to the sign-ups, Cheick is a beast in the trenches with a distinguished high school career and the skill-set to match the Division 1 offers he received. He’s an impressive combination of speed and strength with a refined pass-rush technique and a good understanding of what opposing blockers are going to do. He was patient yet dangerous when playing the hands of OL, and a good variety of speed moves and the strength to knock offensive lineman backwards consistently all morning long. He’s going to be a great addition to the Jackrabbits DL room who has his best football in front of him. Thanks for coming, Cheick!
Offensive Lineman
Bib #26: Leo Bluhm (St. Thomas Academy) 2022. 6’3.5, 255 lbs. Clocked an impressive 4.97 short shuttle at 255 and competed well with a solid pass-set and a strong base. With the ever-growing tradition of STA lineman playing at the FBS level I think that Bluhm is next in line to possibly continue the lineage.
Bib #30: Dominic Dietel (Litchfield) 2022. 6’4, 282.6 lbs. Put up a 4.91 in the short shuttle and backed that up in competition as he was quick and able to match the get-off of the DL at the snap of the ball and gain depth in his drop while staying square and not putting himself in a compromising position. The natural strength is there as well, and he’s able to eat up bull-rushes and uses his long arms to keep DL from getting inside on him. Great build and a lean 280+. Tons to like and a naturally talented offensive lineman with a bright future and a high ceiling. Also has a 3.8 GPA!
Bib #39: Noah Lindsay (Rosemount) 2023. Competed well during 1-on-1s and has a great base and a powerful upper-body for his age. He’s got a great future ahead of him.
Bib #40: Devin Lockerby (Fairbault) 2022. 6’4.5, 295 lbs. Timed in at a 4.72 in the 40 (!) and looked smooth running at top-speed that made for one of the lightest looking/running 295 lbers. I’ve seen in a while. He competed well during 1-on-1s as well and was able to overcome speed and power moves well staying calm and collected when reacting to DL moves. However, he more than often was on the offensive and was able to get his hands on effectively and forcefully almost every rep. You had to fight for every inch with Lockerby, and I think the NDSU interest he’s garnering is well deserved. Hopefully that first offer is coming soon!
Bib #41: Cole Madsen Cole Madsen 6'8" | 285 lbs | OL Buffalo | 2022 State MN (Buffalo) 2022. 6’7, 277 lbs. The next in line Buffalo massive offensive tackle moved well in testing for his size and looked more than capable of handling an assignment and working to the second level. He’s long and strong and able to use it to his advantage in pass-pro. Lot of upside in the junior and his technique was sound, especially for his age.
Bib #44: Tony Nelson (Tracy) 2022. 6’6, 264.5 lbs. Burst himself onto the recruiting in a big way due to his size and overall performance at the camp, especially during testing after he 4.59 and 4.65 short-shuttle as well as a 9’1 broad jump. I must admit, he’s wasn’t on my radar coming into last week but he’s going to have a pretty exciting recruitment when it’s all said and done. With an awesome build he looked really good running through drills and had some intriguing OL traits like quick feet and hands, a strong punch, and an ability to start and stop and adjust to DL moves, especially speed rushes. With an excellent frame and some natural athleticism I think it’s fair to say that the next in-line small-school Minnesotan lineman who sees his recruiting blow up has been found! *cough cough* Logan Purcell Logan Purcell 6'7" | OL Annandale | 2021 State MN *cough cough*.
Bib #45: Mateo Noriega Mateo Noriega 6'5" | 270 lbs | OL Burnsville | 2022 State MN (Burnsville) 2022. 6’4.5, 253 lbs. I knew the Burnsville Blaze lineman could play, but he really impressed me as he posted a 4.47 and 4.53 in the short-shuttle and really displayed some impressive short area agility and quickness. With long arms and that aforementioned quickness, he can quickly read and react to DL moves and really improved his stock in the eyes of PrepRedzone after this.
Bib #46: Bryant Petska (Chippewa Falls, WI) 2022. 6’4.5, 304.8 lbs. Posted a 5.19 in the short shuttle at 300+ and was one of the best competitors during the 1-on-1 portion of the event and was hard to move anywhere out of his gap and had a great base and powerful hands. He was rarely beat during 1-on-1s.
Bib #47: Noah Rahm (Fairmont) 2022. 6’4, 327 lbs. Another offensive lineman I didn’t have my eye on as much as I would have liked to coming into the event was Fairmont’s junior offensive lineman Noah Rahm. He was a tremendous competitor and moved really well laterally for his size and was able to counter inside-breaking pass-rush moves. With great size the strength was obviously there, and Rahm can no doubt play some scholarship football with some FCS hopes and potential!
#48: Ryan Retzer Ryan Retzer 6'3" | 265 lbs | OL Belle Plaine | 2023 State MN (Belle Plaine) 2023. 6’1.5, 272.6 lbs. One of our Top-5 recruits in the c/o 2023 showed off why he is and will be so highly regarded as he was a tenacious blocker with a strong lower-body who played physically had a ton of power in his arms, hands, and chest. Usually the lowest man, he was able to consistently able to get underneath bigger DL and had a strong enough anchor to not give up ground. He’s going to continue to be one we will keep our eyes on at PrepRedzone,