Minnesota Unsigned Senior Prospect Series: Running Backs
We’re closing in on finishing this PrepRedzoneMN featured series highlighting unsigned seniors throughout the state, and after covering the quarterbacks, tight ends, specialists, defensive line, offensive line, and wide receivers, we’ve moved onto the always compelling running back position. From power…
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Continue ReadingWe’re closing in on finishing this PrepRedzoneMN featured series highlighting unsigned seniors throughout the state, and after covering the quarterbacks, tight ends, specialists, defensive line, offensive line, and wide receivers, we’ve moved onto the always compelling running back position. From power backs to scat backs, North-South to East-West runners, speedsters to Mack trucks, the state of MN has some serious talent available at the RB position, and there’s a back for every kind of coach and program still unsigned below. Check out the studs Minnesotans still looking for a home to tote the rock at next year below, and thanks for reading!
Running Backs
Austin Freerksen (Byron) 6’1, 195 lbs. AP First Team All-State, Post Bulletin All-Area Player of the Year.
Finished 3rd at 182 lbs. AA at the most recent MN state championship wrestling meet after only wrestling two weeks as a FRESHMAN at Byron. An incredible feat, he returned to the wrestling mat as a senior and finished with a spectacular 24-3 record and that 3rd place finish, with two of his losses coming to the 4x state champion Bennett Berge from KM and 182 lb. state runner-up Caden Dewall Caden Dewall LB Becker | 2021 State MN of Becker. He was also named to the Post Bulletin All-Area wrestling team. After his standout senior campaign on the gridiron that saw him record 213 rushes for a state-leading 1,580 yards and 17 TDs he committed to NSIC powerhouse Minnesota-Duluth, but decommitted at the beginning of January and has since received a Southwest MN State offer. On film, Freerksen is a dangerous combination of speed and strength, possessing breakaway speed, great vision, and the lower body strength to run through weaker tackles. There were multiple plays on his senior tape where he barely looks like he’s sprinting but is completely running by defenders, destroying angles, and leaving them in the dust untouched before they could seemingly react. He also does a great job of freezing defenders feet in the open field, and he had a couple of really impressive reps that saw the safety basically standing flat-footed in the middle of the field while the Byron Bears ball carrier runs right by them. He’s also able to throw some really quick jukes and cuts out, and absolutely has the power to lower his shoulder and run over weaker tackles. He’s a very complete package of a RB prospect and I’m pretty surprised his recruitment has been so slow since his decommitment.
Josh Schlangen (Blaine) 6’ 205 lbs. AP First Team All-State, All-Metro Second Team Blaine OPOY
Holds the single-game rushing record for the Blaine Bengals with 291 yards. In 2020 he posted 1,177 rushing yards, 276 receiving yards, and 17 TDs. Hasn’t reported any interest or offers. One of the most underrated players in the entire state of MN in 2020, Schlangen is a one-cut powerback who is very dangerous out of the backfield who possesses good balance and the strength to run through tackle attempts. He’s fast enough to hurt defenses in the open field, but definitely excels between the tackles and finishes all of his runs with authority. Schlangen was used in a variety of different ways by the Blaine offense and was willing and able to step up into whatever role they saw him at, and with great size and the ability to use it, I think Schlangen is a no doubt NSIC back.
Zac Janz Zac Janz RB Farmington | 2021 State MN (Farmington) 5’8, 195 lbs. 3x All-District. GPA 4.086 . ACT 29 @zac_janz
Came into the 2020 season as one of the most hyped RBs in the state, but sadly battled some hamstring issues and was only able to compete in around four games for the Tigers. He holds a Bemidji State offer as well as some serious interest from Holy Cross, and in the 2020 season he posted 76 carries for 514 yards and 12 TDs. He looked noticeably faster on tape as a senior compared to his junior film, and showed off his trademarked contact balance and low center of gravity to make some impressive runs last fall that showcased speed, quickness, and power. With good vision and some impressive slipperiness through the hole, he presents a really tough target for defenders to corral and tackle. I just love the multitude of ways he can make would-be tacklers miss, and he’s quite exciting to watch run the ball. With an awesome frame for the position, I think he’s absolutely a scholarship back and could find some success on the right FCS program for his skill set. I’ll be keeping a close eye on Janz and his commitment decision going forward!
Henry Dennis Henry Dennis RB Spring Lake Park | 2021 State MN (Spring Lake Park) 5’10, 200 lbs. All-District. 1000 pound club. @HenryDennisJr
Hasn’t reported any college interest or offers. I got to see Dennis compete a couple times when he was a junior in 2019, and I came away really impressed by his physicality and strength. A powerful runner in the games I saw him compete in, he caught my eye more so for the absolute destruction he caused on kickoff coverage, as he ran through more than a couple blockers on kick return. Unfortunately though, he does not have updated senior tape.
Ramon Lee Jr. (MPLS Washburn) 5’11, 220 lbs. @Headhunta32
Another RB whose size makes him quite fun to watch run the football, Lee hasn’t reported any college interest or offers at this point in time. I got to see him play in 2020, Lee has some really quick feet for a back of his size and presents a big problem for tacklers in the open field who can cut around you or absolutely run through you. He’s got some good patience and burst as well, and had some really impressive plays on his senior Hudl where he was almost corraled in the backfield but used a combination of strength, vision, and quickness to get himself out of trouble and bust open a big play. He also made some crazy catches out of the backfield last season, and also laid some massive hits from his LB position. On a couple clips I saw opposing defenses look scared to tackle him, and although he’ll most likely project best as a LB at the next level, he does show some of the necessary traits to find success as a RB in college. He’s an intriguing and powerful overall prospect.
Johnny Hartle (Eden Prairie) 5’11, 185 lbs. @JohnnyHartle
I’m very surprised that Hartle’s recruitment hasn’t taken off more. As a two-year starter as a RB for the Eagles, he’s seen some great production and holds a solid skillset as a collegiate RB prospect. Maybe people were assuming that the OL he ran behind was a big reason for his success, but on tape Hartle shows that he is far from a stand-in and can be a gamechanger at the position. In seven games in 2020 he posted 111 rushes for 1000 yards and 11 TDs, and used vision and speed to pop off some big plays for the Eagles offense throughout the year. I also like his balance and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, and he’s also got the lower body strength to run through weaker tackle attempts as well. This all comes against some of the best competition the state of MN has to offer, and starting two years in the Eden Prairie backfield is no joke as well. I hope he plays somewhere in college.
Will Frederickson (Blaine) ATH. 6’, 190 lbs. @WFred09
Hasn’t reported any interest or offers. I am a big big fan of this kid, and much like his teammate Schlangen, I think he’s very underrated in the state of MN. With an awesome junior tape, the Blaine ball carrier built on it in his senior campaign that saw him primarily make his splash plays from the LB position thanks to a broken hand. He’s great in coverage, shows that he can penetrate through a LOS with burst and timing, and is strong at the point of contact. He can slip by bigger blockers with speed and will take on smaller block attempts with physicality, and with the ability to go sideline to sideline as well, he made plays all over the field in 2020 and laid some strong and impressive tackles. I love how he moves in space, and in his junior Hudl he showed a unique ability to slip through tackles, keep his legs churning, and stiff-arm the life out of opponents. I’m also going to feature him on the unsigned LBs article coming up soon as well.
Seth Bakken (Shakopee) 5’6, 160 lbs. @BakkenSeth
No reported interest or offers. In 8 games totaled 36 rushes for 405 yards (11.25 YPC) and 6 rushing TDs. Also caught four balls for 48 yards and a reception TD, and took a kickoff to the house as well. Senior Hudl displays a triple-option RB who has no problem lowering a shoulder and has the speed and lower body strength to really hurt opponents as a RB or a kick returner. For a smaller guy, he’s got a good blend of speed and power, and overall he’s an exciting player to watch run the football. His speed is really his biggest asset, and I think he’d be a great DIII back at the next level. If the Cobbers somehow snagged him and he went from a triple-option offense to a triple-option offense, it would be hard to keep me from drooling with excitement. Either way I hope he plays at the college level.
Terence Campbell (Rosemount) 5’11, 205 lbs. @TerenceCampbel
Is looking for a JUCO to start his college career at. The Rosemount Irish RB is a dynamic player who can play FB, pass protect, and catch the ball out of the backfield in a deeper capacity besides bubbles or dumps out on the perimeter. He’s effective at executing screens and really excels in the redzone, where he loves powering the ball over the goal-line no matter how many would-be tacklers are in his way. I love how he blocks as well, and he brings some good versatility to the next level and some good experience playing MN big-school football.
Jacob Crouch (JWP) 6’1, 180 lbs. All-District @JakeCrouch2
No reported interest or offers. Unfortunately does not have updated senior highlights.
Tave Ball (Waseca) 5’9, 190 lbs. @TaveBall
One word for Ball: fast. I got to see Ball and the Waseca Bluejays take on Cambridge-Isanti this past Fall, and man did Tave put his speed on display. Whether at RB or as a returner, he made an impact for his team and did so in an exciting fashion. The speed he can generate out of his cuts is noteworthy, and when you combine that with his top-end speed and vision, you have a really dangerous offensive weapon that the Bluejays took advantage of all 2020. He’s also got some impressive lower body strength that help him to not go down when defenders try to trip or wrap him up at different positions or angles. His returner ability would help him compete on special teams for a college program immediately, and he’s overall a strong athlete on the gridiron. As of right now, the only program to contact him are the Johnnies, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up in Collegeville when it’s all said and done. The Johnnies know and respect speed.
Ethan Kelley (Anoka) 5’8, 180 lbs. @ejkelley_13
Received recruiting edits from SMSU, mail from UMD, and junior day invites from Bemidji State, Minot State, UMD. Senior highlights show off a speedy RB with good patience and decent burst when he sees and explodes through a hole. He made a couple of long runs and bounced some big tackle attempts off his pads in 2020 and showcased some good vision as well.
Tyson Bork Tyson Bork ATH Hills-Beaver Creek | 2021 State MN (Hills-Beaver Creek) RB/S. 5’11, 200 lbs.
Holds offers from Sioux Falls, Southwest Minnesota State, Northwestern College, Hamline, Dordt. One of the best 9man players in the entire state in 2020, Bork posted 89 rushes for 1,117 yards and 17 TDs and also tacked on 22 tackles and 2 TFLs as a safety. He’s a thick and explosive RB who holds an arsenal of moves in the open field including hurdles, spin moves, jump cuts, and top-line speed that helped him produce some huge plays for the Hills-Beaver Creek offense throughout 2020. He also made some huge hits on defense, and plays the game with a natural and exciting playing style that makes me absolutely think he can play NSIC football. I hope he joins his QB Gavin Wysong Gavin Wysong 5'9" | LB Hills-Beaver Creek | 2021 State MN in Sioux Falls!
Henry Truebenbach (Milaca) 6’ 190 lbs. All-District, District RB MVP @hanktruby13
Hasn’t reported any interest or offers. Senior season posted 835 all-purpose yards plus 8 TDs and on tape looks like a longer ball-carrier who is laterally quick and has the strength to throw weaker tacklers off him without seemingly losing much momentum. He made some really exciting runs in 2020 thanks to his vision in the open field, mean stiff-arm, and the aforementioned contact balance. I loved watching him run through tackles in his senior tape, and I hope he decides to play football at the next level.
Aaron Payne (Spring Lake Park) 5’10, 165 lbs. @aaronp_32
Was invited to Bemidji State, SMSU, Mayville State, Bethel University, UW-Eau Claire, Valley City State, and Iowa Western junior days. Senior season highlights display a ball-carrier with quickness with navigating through traffic – especially near the LOS – and the speed to hurt defenses when he gets the corner. He’s fast out of his stance, powerful and aggressive for his size, and has good hands that can help catch the ball out of the backfield. Coming from a strong program in Spring Lake Park with a great strength and conditioning program, I think he’d be a great DIII back who could possibly contribute early,
Jason Collins Jason Collins 6'2" | RB Chanhassen | 2021 State MN (Chanhassen) 6’2, 210 lbs. @Jason_collins30
Received a good amount of recruiting graphics from UMD. Unfortunately, he does not have an updated senior film. I like his junior tape though.
Austin Price (Aitkin) 5’8, 175 lbs. @a_price36
Hasn’t reported any interest or offers but has a good amount of college coaches following him. Doesn’t have an updated senior tape, but scored TDs against Nashwauk-Keewatin, Crosby-Ironton, Moose Lake-Willow River, Esko, and Virginia in 2020.
Arzheen Shahin (Moorhead) 5’10, 175 lbs. @ArzheenS – looking for JUCO
Looking for a JUCO program to begin his college and academic career with. Also a standout and explosive wrestler for the Spuds. Senior Hudl is not updated, unfortunately.
Dom Krenz (Stillwater) 5’8, 175 lbs. @dkrenz9
Received a junior day invite and some recruiting graphics from UMD. Senior tape shows off a really quick runner with active feet that prevents opponents from anticipating where he is going to cut to and is explosive enough to get by you once you react. He’s very exciting to watch run the ball, and his elusiveness in the open field help him embarrass defenders as a RB and a returner. With a low center of gravity he also has some surprising strength in his frame that help him beat tacklers with power as well. I love love love watching him make people miss, and I really hope a college program earns his commitment before his senior year wraps up.
George Nyanforh (Moorhead) 6’1, 195 lbs. @JamesNyanforh
Recently visited Valley City State’s campus. Also received Sioux Falls interest. In his senior highlights from 2020, you see a long and explosive ball carrier with a ton of burst and the physicality to run through weaker tackles as well as blow up blockers and returners on special teams. He’s got an electric senior tape that show some of the hardest truck sticks I saw in 2020 and some long and impressive runs that got his sideline and teammates hyped up. He’s also a quick cutter and made some really impressive broken tackles that showcase a nice combination of agility, balance, strength, and athleticism. Where I think he differentiates from a lot of the RBs on this list is the physicality and aggressiveness he plays the position with. Possessing long legs and arms, he can generate a lot of power out of his cuts and that length helps him hold his balance in awkward positions and through weirder tackle attempts. He also is by far the most willing to lower his shoulder of anyone on this list, and it makes for a really fun watch on tape. If Valley City State can land his talents they are getting a BEAST!
Liam Joyce Liam Joyce 5'10" | ATH Henry Sibley | 2021 State MN (Henry Sibley) 5’10, 180 lbs. @LiamJoyce33
Hasn’t reported any college interest or offers. Senior highlights show off a dynamic ball carrier who is dangerous once he gets the edge, some good vision, and surprising strength and power when he decides to lower the pads. He was dangerous on jet sweeps in 2020 and also showed he has the stones and the strength to run effectively between the tackles. It looks like he had a good game against St. Thomas Academy’s stout defense in 2020 and slashed their D in a variety of ways. I think he’d make for a great DIII recruit.
Owen Bretoi (East Ridge) 5’10, 190 lbs. All-District. District Offensive Player of the Year @BretoiOwen
Offered by Concordia-Moorhead. Received interest from UW-Eau Claire and UMD. Senior season highlights show off a tough and hard-nosed ball carrier who can carry people through the hole and navigate through traffic efficiently while acting as a powerback who finishes all of his runs with contact and works to break down a defense over four quarters. He’s also a thicker back with good burst for his size, and had a very productive 2020 season that should make him a hot commodity for college coaches.
Michael Ude (Fridley) 6’, 180 lbs. GPA 3.976 @MichaelUde19
No reported college interest or offers and unfortunately only has his Hudl updated through his junior year.
Joey Moberg (St. Paul Johnson) 5’11, 200 lbs. GPA 3.25 @JoeyMoberg
No reported interest or offers. A favorite of mine and fellow MN/DAK scout Nate Wahl, Moberg was the best football player in St. Paul last season and is a versatile and natural two-way prospect who would make a collegiate program a lot better with his signing. He’s a great SS, and as a RB he totaled 4,049 yards of total offense and 40 TDs in his high school offensive career who plays with a ton of speed in pads and is a slippery and physical ball carrier who is a quick cutter with good vision. I just love how naturally he plays football, and he will absolutely be featured on my upcoming article highlighting the unsigned DBs in the state. His lower body strength is very noteworthy, and with his vast experience throughout his football career, I think he’s a total package of a 2021 unsigned Minnesotan. Coaches: don’t be shy!
Ethan Montgomery (Providence Academy) 5’10, 185 lbs. GPA 4.0 @etmon2021
Offered by Crown College, St. Olaf College. Very strong lower body that helps him run through tacklers and get a good amount of momentum going once his legs start pumping. Unfortunately has limited 2020 film, but I really hope my St. Olaf College Oles can land his talent. He’s got a good junior tape and is a strong runner with good burst, physicality, and power in the open field.
Riley Niedzielski (Annandale) 5’11, 195 lbs. @RNiedzielski19
Hasn’t reported any college interest or offers. In 2020 posted 839 yards rushing at 6.9 YPC with 11 TDs, and his senior tape displays an upright running style with a long gait that can slip through weak tackles without losing any momentum or balance. He runs with a ton of strength between the tackles and had a couple of runs in his highlights where he broke two, three, four, or even more tackles on TD or big runs. I love how he effectively cuts back against the grain, and he also shows he has good hands out of the backfield and runs especially strong when inside the redzone and trying to cross the goal line. There’s a lot to like in his game and I hope he continues running the rock in college.