PrepRedzoneMN Transfer Report & Quick-Hitters
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The transfer portal has changed college football as we know it. With a record amount of players having entered their name in the portal in search of a new home, we have begun to see some of the adverse effects…
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Continue ReadingThe transfer portal has changed college football as we know it. With a record amount of players having entered their name in the portal in search of a new home, we have begun to see some of the adverse effects of the newfound freedom afforded to college football players. This includes P5 programs almost poaching the standouts on FBS and FCS rosters, junior college players having a harder time getting offered, and of course, a lot of young men having a hard time finding a new program to call home. To make it clear, I don’t particularly lean one way or the other when it comes to the portal as a whole, and there are a ton of good and exciting things happening due to the loosening restrictions of the portal and transfer culture, the biggest of which in my opinion is the opportunity for small school transfers to accomplish a dream of playing at the highest levels of college football after grinding, sweating, and working at a non-P5 program. Additionally, some kids simply just don’t mesh at the school they committed to, a favorite coach leaves, they’re sitting behind an All-American, or a number of different factors can combine to make restarts and second chances an availability that collegiate athletes should be able to exercise more frequently than they were. No matter how you feel about it, the portal isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, so we must adjust, and below I’m pumped to bring to our subscribers some news on a couple of dozen former MN preps who have transferred from their former college since the summer of 2021! Additionally, I’ve added some “quick-hitters” and news on high school transfers from the state and updates on Minnesotans who have already completed a move. Lots of names to know here! Thanks for reading.
Collegiate Transfer News
Omar Brown (Minneapolis North) CB. 6’1, 180 lbs. Transferred from Northern Iowa to Nebraska
My personal favorite transfer of the ’21-’22 comes from the Minneapolis North Polars and their former FBS talent DB Omar Brown. A slept-on cornerback prospect coming out of high school, Brown ultimately committed to Northern Iowa after winning the MVP of the 2019 Minnesota All-Star game. He came in as a true freshman and immediately made waves as he started on the outside of the Panthers defense for every game of the 2019 season. He recorded 77 tackles and six interceptions in his inaugural season of college football and was named to the MVFC All-Newcomer team, MVFC First Team All-Conference squad, HeroSports All-American, AP Third Team All-American, FCS Defensive Freshman of the Year, and Phil Steele First Team All-American. In the spring of 2021 he earned All-MVFC Honorable Mention status and followed it up with another All-MVFC HM nod this past fall. With his DB coach – former Tartan, Wisconsin, and UNI standout Keelon Brookins – leaving for the CB job at Kent State, Brown hit the portal and only a few days after announced on his Instagram that he was committing to the Nebraska Cornhuskers of the B1G. This kid is going to look great in the red and white of Lincoln and I am so excited for his future. A definite P5 talent who earned a shot the hard, dedicated way. Definitely one of the more positive situations that can come out of the portal!
Quinn Carroll (Edina) OL. 6’6, 315 lbs. Transferred from Notre Dame to the University of Minnesota
The unanimous #1 recruit in the state of Minnesota in the class of 2019, Carroll was rated as the #12 OT nationally by 247Sports and the 108th overall recruit in 2019. He was named First Team All-State and StarTribune First Team All-Metro as a senior Hornet and was the most dominant player in the state who was special at the point of attack and a mauler in both the run and pass game. Sadly, Carroll suffered a season-ending injury during fall camp of his freshman season and never really caught back up in the following two seasons in South Bend. It’s also important to note that he was in the two-deep of one of the most talented OL rooms in the entire country, so it’s not like he was struggling at the P5 level and prior to the news of his transfer former Irish HC Brian Kelly remarked at just how strong the Minnesota native had gotten in the weight room. That was before Kelly left for LSU, and after the news that the HC was leaving Carroll announced his intent to transfer on January 3rd of this new year. The following day – much to the joy of Golden Gophers fans across the U.S. – Carroll committed to the hometown Golden Gophers and will play his college ball in Dinkytown for his remaining three years of eligibility. I am basically smiling typing this sentence out. I am PUMPED to watch Carroll in the Maroon & Gold. RTB!!
Seth Anderson (Moorhead) OL. 6’4, 285 lbs. Transferred from North Dakota State to North Dakota
Continued what is now a very strong pipeline of Moorhead Spuds to the Division 1 ranks, Anderson was an intriguing 2020 recruit was started for three years for the Spuds and captained the team from his DT and OG positions. He finished as a 2x All-District selection with 121 tackles, 22 TFLs, and seven sacks on the fields of Northern Minnesota and committed to the NDSU Bison on scholarship after his impressive prep career concluded. After a redshirt season in 2020 the now offensive lineman saw actions in three games in 2021. It really took me by surprise, but on December 15th I was shocked to see the North Dakota Fighting Hawks tweet out an unexpected commitment class addition in the NDSU transfer Anderson. This move is particularly interesting not just because it’s been a while since a NDSU to UND transfer, but because Anderson is joining a large and growing contingent of Moorhead grads to currently be rostered with the Fighting Hawks. Although Jade Lawrence has graduated and Otis Weah is transferring, UND still has Trey Feeney, Blake Walthall, Brady Walthall, and incoming commits Jamal Dixon Jamal Dixon 6'2" | 180 lbs | DB Moorhead | 2022 State MN and Jack Teiken Jack Teiken 6'4" | 255 lbs | DL Moorhead | 2022 State MN heading to Grand Forks for 2022, so the Spuds are well represented on the Fighting Hawks! Good luck, Seth!
Sam Robertson (Wayzata) CB. 6’1, 180 lbs. Transferred from North Dakota to Northern Illinois
There was a large exodus of North Dakota players to hit the transfer portal this offseason – many of whom were from Minnesota – and a higher profile recruit from the Land of 10,000 Lakes to find a new home comes from former Wayzata High School lockdown defensive back Sam Robertson. He led the Trojans defense on a magnificent title run his senior year as Wayzata finished with a perfect 13-0 record and posted 38 tackles, 15 PBUs, four TFLs, and a fumble recovery to earn All-Metro, All-Area, and All-District honors. In two seasons in Grand Forks he appeared in 11 games and finished with 11 tackles, a PBU, and half a tackle for loss. Robertson entered his name in the portal on November 22nd, earned a PWO from Minnesota on the 30th, and announced his commitment to FBS MAC competitor Northern Illinois. I believe he has three years of eligibility remaining in DeKalb!
D1 FCS transfer
CB
6’2 183lbs
Film below check me out‼️ pic.twitter.com/mynvG4hhUn— Sam Robertson (@SamRob__11) November 23, 2021
Bronson Warner (Eden Prairie/Iowa Western CC) OL. 6’3, 310 lbs. Transferred from Abilene Christian to Bowling Green State
This is the third collegiate stop for the former Eden Prairie mauler as he has gone from a #JUCOPRODUCT to a FCS lineman to a now FBS interior offensive lineman. After a successful season in Council Bluffs with the Iowa Western Reivers, Warner earned offers from Western Illinois, SEMO, Grambling State, UT-Martin, Missouri State, Jackson State, Louisiana-Monroe, Tarleton State, and Houston Baptist before ultimately committing to the Abilene Christian Wildcats. After a year in Texas he exercised his ability to transfer, entered his name in the portal on November 29th, and followed it up by earning offers from Eastern Illinois, Indiana State, South Dakota, Central Arkansas, and North Dakota before visiting Bowling Green State on December 12th, earning an offer, and committing four days later. The former Eden Prairie Eagle is now a FBS lineman! Let’s go, Bronson!! Big things coming!
Freshman Year ✅ pic.twitter.com/lgonIogeAR
— Bronson Warner (@BronsonWarner) December 2, 2021
Zack Annexstad (Mankato West/IMG Academy) QB. 6’3, 220 lbs. Transferred from the University of Minnesota to Illinois State
Transfers are nothing new to Annexstad, as he left the Mankato West program for the fields of Bradenton, FL and the illustrious IMG Academy as a young gunslinger looking to make a name for himself. His collegiate career is no secret to fans of Minnesota football, as he originally won the Golden Gophers starting QB job in his first year on campus before an injury thrust Tanner Morgan into the spotlight. He didn’t see starting reps in Dinkytown again, and on November 29th he announced his transfer from the U. On January 10th, he tweeted his decision that he was committing to Missouri Valley big boy Illinois State Redbirds. I can’t wait to see him sling the rock in the FCS ranks! Dude has a rocket.
Ty Barron (Minnetonka) LB. 6’, 230 lbs. Transferring from the University of Minnesota
An absolute thumper coming out of a program known for thumpers in the Minnetonka Skippers, Barron accepted a PWO to play B1G football for the Golden Gophers coming out of high school over offers from Cornell University, Augustana University, and South Dakota State. He totaled 120 tackles as a senior and led the Skippers to a 12-2 record and a berth in the 6A state championship game. For his accomplishments he was a finalist for the 2017 MN Mr. Football Award as well as a StarTribune and Kare11 All-Metro selection. His transfer was reported and confirmed by Ryan Burns at GopherIllustrated. With a high volume of Minnesotans to transfer from the U of M to the FCS, DII, and DIII ranks, I personally would love if Barron continued the tradition of Gophers to transfer into the MIAC. I will make sure to keep you guys posted! Twitter: @ty_barron21
Marcus Haskins (East Ridge/Iowa Western CC) DB. 6’, 185 lbs. Transferred from Liberty to Appalachian State
What a ride it’s been for the East Ridge Raptors DB. After an accomplished prep career in both football and track & field that resulted in a First Team All-Conference nod for his efforts on the gridiron as well as four All-Conference picks and three All-State nods on the track, Haskins committed to Concordia-St. Paul, where he redshirted in 2017. In 2018, in his first year getting playing time, Haskins had one of the best seasons of any DII player in the nation and was named a Cliff Harris Award finalist, D2CCA, Associated Press, and Don Hansen’s Football Gazette All-America First Team as well as D2Football.com All-America honorable mention. He was also named All-Region First Team, NSIC Defensive Newcomer of the Year, and All-NSIC South Division First Team. This came after he led the country with 2.9 passes defended per game, led the NSIC and ranked second in the nation with nine interceptions, and led the conference with 20 PBUs. He also recorded a pick in five straight games to open his college football career and tied the NCAA Division II single-game season high with seven passes defended in a 31-7 win over Upper Iowa (9/8) with six pass breakups and one interception. He also added 41 tackles and two FFs. After finding so much success in the DII ranks, Haskins transferred to Iowa Western CC where he earned NJCAA All-American honors after showing that ballhawking ability on the fields of the Jayhawk conference. He then committed to Liberty University, and started nine games with 11 appearances and finished with 30 tackles and an interception. He announced his transfer from the Flames in October, visited Iowa State in November, and committed to the FBS App State of the Sun Belt Conference. I’m stoked to see his final year of college football in the black and gold. You’re the man, Marcus!
BJ Murff (Hopkins) DB. 5’10, 160 lbs. Transferring from Minnesota-Duluth
Hopkins High School puts out explosive athletes. One from the best from the 2020 class of Royals, Murff was a three-year starter at WR and DB earned All-Conference as a senior captain. He also led the Royals in scoring and receiving yards that season and also started for the powerhouse Hopkins basketball team. After appearing in two games in two years for the Bulldogs, Murff tweeted out the news of his transfer on January 3rd of 2022. He hasn’t reported any offers since putting his name in as well. Coaches: hit my man up! Twitter: @BrayoneMurff
Recruitment 100% open! #nextchapter #FLI pic.twitter.com/JxikkZsZa1
— BJ Murff (@BrayoneMurff) January 3, 2022
Otis Weah (Moorhead) RB. 5’9, 215 lbs. Transferring from North Dakota
An electric bundle of muscle and power, Weah is one of the most exciting D1 RBs from the state of Minnesota that I can remember and had a very impressive career arch that began as a walk-on for the Fighting Hawks and ended with him taking the FCS by storm in the spring of 2021 to earn multiple preseason and post-season All-American nods as well as All-MVFC honors. He’s a very exciting blend of speed and power that bounces off tackle attempts like a pinball arcade machine. In his UND career he finished with 233 rushes for 1,433 yards and 18 TDs and announced his transfer on December 1st of 2021. He hasn’t reported any offers or interest since that date, but you would think an FCS All-American RB would be able to find a new home to play football at. I’ll be keeping a very close eye on this one for our subscribers. Best of luck, Otis!
Jaeden Stovall (Park/St. Cloud State) LB. 6’, 225 lbs. Transferred from Upper Iowa to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
The 2018 Park of Cottage Grove team MVP and 2x All-Conference pick has been all over the Midwest college football landscape and was forced to find a new home against his wishes when St. Cloud State cut its football team, and he ended up staying in the NSIC and committed to Upper Iowa University in late December of 2019. He only totaled a tackle in his time with the Peacocks and reentered his name in the portal. On January 11th of 2022 he made it official that he was finishing out his career in the WIAC for the powerhouse UWL Eagles. He brings the size and DII experience to immediately strengthen a DIII linebacker room. Ball out, Jaeden!
Bennett Morris (Park) WR. 5’9, 175 lbs. Transferred from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire to Augsburg University
We got a WIAC –> MIAC move here as another Park of Cottage Grove alum became a transfer portal product as the 2021 Wolfpack graduate announced he was looking for a new home on November 18th after only a year with the UWEC Blugolds. Around a month after tweeting out that he was looking for a new home he committed to Augsburg University in Minneapolis and will finish his last three years of eligibility in the MIAC. Go Auggies, Bennett! I’ll be watching you frequently over the next few seasons.
5’9 175lb WR⬇️ pic.twitter.com/vgZDFkIi5C
— Bennett Morris (@BennettMorris21) November 19, 2021
Preston Thelemann (Cretin-Derham Hall) QB. 6’, 180 lbs. Transferring from Furman University
The CDH graduate passed for 1,556 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior gunslinger and also starred in hockey as a defenseman for the Raiders. He committed to play FCS football for Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina on March 9th of 2020, and after a season with the Paladin’s he announced his transfer on October 27th. He has yet to report any interest or offers. Twitter: @pthele01
Donovan Dalton (Apple Valley/Saguaro HS [AZ]) DB. 6’4, 200 lbs. Transferring from the University of Hawaii
A product of Apple Valley that transferred to the state of Arizona and powerhouse Saguaro HS to finish out his prep career, Dalton brings exceptional size to the safety position as a graduate transfer. As a prep, he won a state basketball championship with the Eagles basketball squad and ended up transferring to AZ prior to his junior season. At Saguaro High School he played both WR and DB finished with over 1,000 yards receiving, seven TDs, 53 tackles, nine PBUs, and three interceptions in his two seasons as an upperclassman and was named All-City for his efforts. He also helped Saguaro win an Arizona state championship. He played in 39 games in his Rainbow Warrior career and tallied 41 tackles, 2 TFLs, and an interception from his safety spot. Since entering the portal he has not reported any new interest or offers. Someone scoop him up!
— DonovanDalton (@ddalton__) December 9, 2021
Spencer Rolland (Apple Valley) OT. 6’6, 285 lbs. Transferring from Harvard
The Apple Valley product has had a wild ride since committing the Crimson in July of 2017. Due to the pandemic, the Ivy League completely shut their season down in 2020 and many athletes decided to look for new homes to play football at elsewhere. One of these was former Benilde-St. Margaret’s mauler and Harvard OG Eric Wilson, and he was followed closely by the Apple Valley Eagles tackle Spencer Rolland. Much like Wilson. Rolland initially committed to the Penn State Nittany Lions after originally entering the portal, but things changed and after playing his 2021 season with the Crimson, Rolland and the Nittany Lions parted ways and he is back on the market and in need of a new home. In 2021 he was a First Team All-Ivy selection and a Preseason All-Ivy Third Team pick going into the 2020 season. This all comes after a decorated Apple Valley career that saw him win Suburban Maroon All-District, StarTribune All-Metro, Minnesota Vikings All-State, and a pick to the MN All-Star game. He also was a state champion with the Apple Valley basketball team and a boatload of academic and community service awards. A true “Harvard Man.” I hope he plays some P5 football next!
I have decommitted from Penn State and have re-entered my name into the transfer portal as an OT to complete my last two years of eligibility. https://t.co/6Ac6G66nNb
— Spencer Rolland (@spencerolland13) November 30, 2021
Billy Riviere (Wayzata) TE. 6’3, 250 lbs. Transferred from North Dakota to Washington State
One of the best things about the portal is the chance for athletes in a lower division of college football to work their butts off and eventually earn a chance to play at the highest level possible. Similar to Bishop McDonald, who went from UMD stardom at the DII level to playing on Saturdays for the Golden Gophers, or Marcus Haskins, who went from the Sea Foam Stadium for the CSP Golden Bears to FBS Liberty University, we have another new P5 transfer prospect from the state of Minnesota. This time, it comes out of the state of Minnesota’s top TE producer in Wayzata and the North Dakota Fighting Hawks product Billy Riviere. After a redshirt season in 2019, Riviere saw action in 16 career games for UND as a reserve TE and on special teams, and on November 30th he announced on Twitter that he had entered the transfer portal with three years of eligibility remaining. He then earned offers from Southeastern Louisiana and the University of St. Thomas but jumped on an PWO opportunity to play in the PAC12 for Washington State. Keep your eyes out for the Plymouth product the next three years during PAC12 games in that late slot of Saturday nights. Go Cougars!
Thank you North Dakota for the past 3 years! With that being said I have officially entered the transfer portal.
TE
6’4” 245
3 Years of Eligibility Remaining pic.twitter.com/UNSDHIpHV8— Billy Riviere (@RiviereBilly) November 30, 2021
Hamza Malim (Edina) WR. 5’11, 170 lbs. Transferred from the University of St. Thomas to Iowa Western Community College
A 2020 graduate of Edina who I was lucky enough to see live and in-person during his senior year with the Hornets, Malim runs nifty routes and showed speed and strength for his size that allowed him to be recruited by the now D1 St. Thomas Tommies. After two years in St. Paul he announced his transfer on November 29th and recently announced via Twitter that he was heading the JUCO route and will play football next season for one of the best junior college programs in the nation in Iowa Western. I’m pumped to see him prove himself as a Reiver. Good luck, Hamza!
Thank You St. Thomas for an incredible 2 years. All the great lessons, memories, and friendships that were created during my time will forever be cherished. With that being said my recruitment is 100% open. pic.twitter.com/fKL3NMDEoy
— Hamza Malim (@MalimHamza) November 29, 2021
Antonio Montero (Eden Prairie) LB. 6’, 225 lbs. Transferring from Rice University
Minnesota’s 2017 Mr. Football winner, Montero was a beast of a RB & LB for the powerhouse Eagles and earned Metro Player of the Year, All-State, MN Defensive Player of the Year by the AP, and a host of other awards while leading Eden Prairie to an undefeated big-school state championship. His senior year he was credited with 118 tackles, 13 TFLs, three FFs, two INTs, and 24 TDs as a senior. He finished his career with 235 tackles, 29 TFLs, four FFs, and three INTs but despite the accolades and production his recruitment was somewhat slow. However, by the end of things he held offers from NDSU, San Diego State, Air Force, a PWO from Minnesota, and the offer from Rice that he jumped on shortly after receiving. It was an excellent move by the Owls, as Montero came in as a true freshman started seven of the last nine games and finished with 34 tackles. He followed it up with a sophomore campaign in which he started every game and finished second on the team in tackles with a career-high 83. He also kicked the Owls’ second PAT vs. Texas, becoming the first position player at Rice to score points from placekicks since Sam Hartman in 1989 and the first FBS position starter to kick a PAT in a game since LA Tech WR Trent Taylor kicked one vs. UTSA in 2016. Pretty impressive! In 2020 he was fifth on the team with 24 stops in four games, and in 2021 he closed out his fourth season with 29 career starts and 201 career tackles + 15 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, and an interception. On November 28th, he announced he was going to use his last year of eligibility and was hitting the portal. He’s since received offers from Western Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky, Villanova, and East Tennessee State. Still waiting on an decision from the Eden Prairie product!
After a great four years at Rice, I have decided to pursue new opportunities for my last year of eligibility as a graduate transfer. Thank you to the Rice family for an unforgettable journey.
Highlights: https://t.co/ILoKREVY8y
— Antonio Montero ⁶𓅓 (@Amontero23) November 29, 2021
Jacob Streit (Eden Valley-Watkins) TE. 6’4, 215 lbs. Transferred from Northern State to North Dakota State
One smaller particular that really gets my juices flowing when it comes to recruiting is when an athlete bumps up a division of football to finish out their career, especially when it’s a Minnesotan, and I’ve written a couple features for PrepRedzoneMN and PRzWI over the past year highlighting some former studs to bump up a division or two to play football at the highest level they can. I am pumped to see that my list will grow by one, as a member of one of Minnesota’s finest football families will continue a pipeline of former Northern Sun standouts to join the Missouri Valley! Jacob Streit – one of the XL Streit brothers – was a two-year starter and captain for the Eden Valley-Watkins Eagles and averaged 42.5 yards per catch and nine TDs as a senior in high school. He totaled over 2000 yards and 14 TDs in his career and helped EVW finish as the state runner-up in 2016. He also was a standout basketball player at EVW and hooped for the NSIC heavyweight Wolves as well. After an All-NSIC Second Team selection in 2018, Streit medically redshirted in 2019 and lost the 2020 season to COVID so he has two years of eligibility remaining for the Bison. In his Northern State career he finished with 58 catches for 809 yards and 7 TDs. He will join his brother Joshua, who hoops for the Bison, in Fargo.
Grant Louwagie (Marshall) LB. 6’1, 205 lbs. Transferring from Southwest Minnesota State
With the coaching change at Marshall’s Southwest Minnesota State there was an expected exodus of more than a few scholarship athletes across a variety of graduating classes. Of the transfers, the Mustangs lost a hometown hero in Marshall Tigers 2021 graduate Grant Louwagie. A former two-sport standout for the Tigers, Louwagie finished his prep career with 175 tackles and 26 TFLs from his linebacker spot and was named All-Conference twice and All-Area twice over the course of his high school football career. Louwagie was also a successful wrestler and was consistently ranked in the Top-10 of his weight class throughout his junior and senior seasons. He was a 5x letter-winner and 2x state qualifier on the mat as well. Since entering his name in the transfer portal he has not reported any interest or offers. Coaches: hit him up! Twitter: @LouwagieGrant
Trey Steinbach (Marshall) DE. 6’3, 245 lbs. Transferred from North Dakota State to St. John’s University
I am particularly excited about this one for a few reasons. First, Steinbach was a beast out of high school and continued a long trend of standout Marshall High School to head to the Division 1 level as he committed to the powerhouse NDSU Bison after finishing his career with 183 tackles, 30.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He also had 23 career receptions for 305 yards and five touchdowns and was named All-Area twice and District DB of the Year by the time his career with the Tigers wrapped up. The second reason I am excited about this transfer because after Steinbach hit the portal, there was a bit of uncertainty in where the Marshall product was going to exactly end up. A month or two after entering his name in the portal Steinbach posted a commitment tweet complete with a graphic announcing that he had committed to Augustana University in Sioux Falls. However, things were short lived, as the tweet was deleted after a short while and it was up in the air whether the former FCS scholarship prospect was even going to continue playing college football. However, the good ol’ Twitter machine came through again, as I recently combing through the TL and saw that Steinbach had changed his bio to “SJU Football” and prior to that he had tweeted at another soon-to-be-named transferring Marshall athlete that classic SJU picture from behind the student section. The third and final reason I love this transfer is because I love DIII football and especially the MIAC. Steinbach is a great talent to the Division III level and strengthens Minnesota’s premier conference at the DIII level. He’s going to be a great Johnnie!
Ryan Samuelson (Jordan) ATH. 6’4, 190 lbs. Transferred from MSU-Mankato to Bethany Lutheran College to play basketball
The rare transfer that saw the athlete switch sports, Samuelson was a Southern Minnesota monster with a decorate resume of three sports in football, basketball, and track and field. As a sophomore at Jordan Hubmen the young buck caught 14 TD passes to help get the Jags to the state tourney. He followed it up with an impressive junior campaign wherein he tallied 1,041 receiving yards and 14 TD catches to earn All-State recognition and get his squad a district championship. Things culminated in his senior season as he totaled 14 TDs through the air and three kickoffs returned for tuddies to earn yet another All-State honor. On the hardwood he was a 1,000 point scorer and holds the Jordan Hubmen record for scoring. He was named All-State twice, the conference MVP twice, and All-Conference four times. Out of high school the do-it-all athlete committed to DII powerhouse Minnesota State-Mankato, but after COVID jacked up the 2020 season Samuelson decided to transfer and play basketball for Bethany Lutheran College, also in Mankato. His first season for the UMAC competing Vikings is underway and he scored a season-high 14 vs. Carroll University on November 20th! Keep it up, Ryan! Excited to see you join the DIII ranks.
Jordan Nolan (Coon Rapids) LB. 6’1, 215 lbs. Transferred from Southwest Minnesota State to Minnesota State University-Moorhead (track)
Another Southwest Minnesota State youngin’ to leave the program upon the coaching change and another athlete to switch sports, Nolan announced that he entered the portal on November 18th with three years of eligibility. The 2020 Coon Rapids graduate quickly heard from McPherson College to play football as well as MSUM to compete on a track scholarship. Nolan chose the latter, and the former Cardinals thumper will now throw for the track and field team of the Dragons and will graduate in 2024. Happy to see he is still continuing his athletic career even if it is not on the gridiron.
Abe Schwinn (Cretin-Derham Hall) LB. 6’3, 220 lbs. Transferred from Arizona State to Abilene Christian
Continuing a long line of Cretin-Derham Hall football alums to play football at the D1 level, Schwinn accepted a PWO from the Arizona State Sun Devils after a decorated football and baseball career for the Raiders that included an All-State Honorable Mention nod on the gridiron and an All-Conference Honorable Mention selection on the diamond. He was ranked in the Top-20 of the state in the class of 2019 and had himself a heckuva ball game in the first round of the 2018 MSHSL 6A state playoffs where he posted 15 tackles. After a year in Tempe it seems that the St. Paul product transferred to Texas and the FCS level and Abilene Christian University. With the size necessary to succeed at the D1 level, Schwinn had a solid redshirt freshman season and recorded five tackles in three games against SMU, Louisiana College, and Lamar University. I’m excited to see how he continues to develop in Abilene!
Desean Phillips (St. Michael-Albertville) RB. 5’11, 210 lbs. Transferred from Eastern Illinois to Upper Iowa University
I am very excited to have finally (albeit late) figured out where the former St. Michael-Albertville RB Desean Phillips landed after transferring from FCS Eastern Illinois on June 9th of 2021. A bruising ball-carrier who had a prolific junior college career after his four years with the Knights finished up, Phillips was named All-State, All-Metro, and District Player of the Year after rushing for 1,608 yards and 18 TDs as a senior in high school and preceded it with a 1,198 yard and 17 TD effort as a junior. After high school he went the JUCO route and played at North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton where he led the nation in rushing yards (1,306) and rushing yards per game (130.6) while finishing second among all NJCAA running backs with 16 touchdowns. He totaled eight 100-yard rushing games and earned First Team All-Region and All-Conference as well as an HM NJCAA All-American nod and committed to Eastern Illinois after earning an offer in January of 2020. He also held a PWO from Minnesota. After entering his name in the portal after a season at EIU I had a very hard finding out if he found a new home to finish out his career, but very recently I finally payed enough attention to see that he was rostered at DII Upper Iowa University! He was listed as a sophomore in 2021 and played in four games for the Peacocks, rushing 75 times for 261 yards and two TDs. He also caught two passes for 25 yards and two TDs and had his best game of the season against Wayne State when he rushed 31 times for 97 yards and two TDs plus a TD catch in a thrilling 42-41 OT win vs. the Wildcats. He’ll be a beast of an upperclassman for UIU these next two years.
Nick Dengler (Mahtomedi) OL. 6’4, 300 lbs. Transferred from Northern State to the University of St. Thomas
A 2020 graduate of Mahtomedi High School, Dengler was a two-year starter on the offensive line of the Zephyrs and participated in two MN state tournaments in his time at Maht. His first season at Northern State was the COVID-afflicted 2020 season, so we saw a lot of transfers at the levels and conferences of college football that postponed or cancelled their season. Dengler fell victim to the theme, and although I couldn’t figure out where he ended up for a while he has recently updated his Twitter bio to “Maht ’20 UST Football 24” so I assume he’s back in the game! However, he wasn’t listed on the Tommies 2021 roster, so I’m not positive if ’22 is his first season back in pads or what the deal is. Either way, I hope he’s playing football again. The Tommies also have a good history with Mahtomedi as a recruiting ground so I would like to see that continued.
Casey Fisher (Fridley) DB. 5’10, 175 lbs. Transferred from the University of Mary to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls
A 2019 graduate of Fridley High School, Fisher was named All-Conference as a senior after playing on both sides of the ball, totaling 25 tackles, four interceptions, four PBUs, and 32 receptions for 589 yards and 12 TDs to go along with 23 rushes for 177 yards and a TD. As a junior the athlete posted 33 tackles, four interceptions, and six PBUs from the Tigers defensive backfield. He signed with UMary, redshirted in 2019 and earned Scout Team Player of the Week during week 5 of the season. After the 2020 COVID season in which the entire NSIC lost a season, Fisher transferred from the Marauders and in 2021 he was listed on the UW-River Falls as a freshman defensive back! He posted one tackle during the season. Go Falcons, Casey! I think you found a great new place to call home.
Quick-Hitters
Jackson Carver (The Culver Academies, IN) C/o 2023. TE/DE. 6’6, 220 lbs. @JacksonCarver11
If you are a fan of Minnesota prep football or a fan of the Golden Gophers, Jackson Carver is a name you must know in the recruiting world. A Woodbury native who attended St. Thomas Academy for his first two years of high school, Carver is a standout lacrosse player who transferred to the state of Indiana to play LAX at Culver Academy for the rest of high school. It was there that he discovered just how fun the game of football can be and just how popular of a football recruit he had the potential to become, and despite being committed to Notre Dame to play lacrosse he decided he wanted to play football in college and allowed his gridiron recruitment to open up and quickly get going. After a season of play in Indiana the 6’6, 220 lb. TE/DE earned his first offer from West Virginia and followed it up with Dartmouth and Penn offers. Recently, he reclassified to 2023 and is now fully invested in playing college football. He will attend the Minnesota Gophers upcoming junior day and hopes to earn an offer. It’d be a great decision in my opinion. Can’t wait to see what your future holds, Jackson!
Buom Jock (Episcopal High School, VA) C/o 2023. WR/DB. 6’5, 205 lbs. @buom_jock
Another high schooler to transfer out of state to finish his prep career, Jock was a former Mankato West Scarlett two-sport athlete who announced his transfer to Episcopal High School in Alexandria, VA on August 16th. After playing a season in Virginia he earned a P5 scholarship offer on October 10th from the University of Virginia and followed it up with a FBS offer from Liberty University on January 14th. He reportedly has jumped a 40 inch vertical as well. Another athlete with Minnesota ties that our lovely readers should be aware of!
Devon Dampier (Saguaro, AZ) C/o 2023. QB. 6′, 190 lbs. @Devonddampier
Mr. Dampier has already been on the crosshairs of PrepRedzoneMN since he got some varsity reps as a freshman for AZ power Pinnacle High School in Phoenix. He has since transferred to crosstown power Saguaro, played for the Sabercats in 2021 as their QB1, and added to his list of offers from Northern Arizona and the University of Arizona by hearing from New Mexico four days ago. Time flies, as it seems like he was a freshman just yesterday, but as he goes into his senior season I really want our subscribers to remember there is a D1 Minnesotan QB playing in Arizona. Devon’s brother Will was a former Champlin Park standout who is now playing JUCO football for NDSCS.
Michael Mankaka (Laurens High School, SC) C/o 2022. WR. 6’2, 180 lbs. @MankakaMichael
A potentially gigantic recruiting miss by programs that recruit the great state of Minnesota, Mankaka was a three-year weapon for the Rochester Mayo Spartans who was made one of the biggest splashes of the summer as he went into national powerhouse Clemson’s summer mega camp and earned a big-time PWO from the ACC heavyweight from his performance at the camp alone. He then moved to South Carolina for his senior year and has balled out at Laurens High School in Laurens, South Carolina. If this dude becomes a scholarship player for the Tigers I am going to be absolutely ecstatic. Prove them all wrong, Michael!
Brandon Riddle Brandon Riddle 6'3" | 225 lbs | TE MN (Spectrum) C/o 2023. TE. 6’2, 225 lbs. @bran_riddle
Recently announced on Twitter that he was transferring from Spectrum High School to Orono High School to play his last year of high school football.
Antonio Fondren Antonio Fondren 6'5" | 270 lbs | DL Osseo | 2023 State MN (Benilde-St. Margaret’s) DE. C/o 2023. 6’4.5, 265 lbs. @FondrenAntonio
Has transferred from Benilde-St. Margaret’s to play for one of my favorite coaches in Minnesota in my former DC Ryan Stockhaus at Osseo High School.
Eli Kotlarz Eli Kotlarz 6'0" | 195 lbs | LB Minnetonka | 2023 MN & Isiah Harris (Hopkins)
The Hopkins High School pair have officially transferred to Minnetonka High School for their final year of high school football.
Still Unsigned
Marlon Wiley (Jordan) WR. 5’10, 180 lbs. Transferring from South Dakota State, where he both played football and ran track
The speedster from Southern Minnesota has been written about a couple of times in my past transfer reports but has still not found a new home to play football at since entering his name in the portal on May 18th of 2021. A former 2x Class A Minnesota state champion in the 100 meter dash, Wiley originally committed to the Jackrabbits to run Division 1 track and field, but after a year he missed the game of football too much and flipped to putting the pads back on and representing SDSU. In 2020 as a redshirt freshman he made his lone appearance of the season against Western Illinois but did not record any stats. After the season ended he hit the portal and hasn’t reported any interest or offers but still lists “transfer portal wr” in his Twitter bio and seems to still want to play the game of football. He brings some real deal speed to the table. As a senior on the Jordan football team he was named captain twice, All-Metro Dream Team, and All District. He set the school record with 78 receptions for 928 yards and 8 TDs as a senior and was also a nasty special teams contributor. Hit him up! Twitter: @_MarlonWiley
Brock Johnson (Champlin Park) WR. 5’10, 170 lbs. Transferring from the University of Mary
The former Champlin Park playmaker helped lead the 2019 Rebels on a memorable and thrilling run at the 6A MN state championship and finished as runner-ups. He was named All-Conference and the team’s Offensive MVP after catching 43 passes for 781 yards and 9 TDs as a senior and finished his career with 93 receptions for 1,433 yards and 12 TDs. He capped off the success from his senior season by committing to play NSIC football for the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND, but after a season for the Marauders he entered his name in the transfer portal on April 22nd of 2021 and has yet to report any interest or offers from college teams. Get at him! Twitter: @BrockJohnson_13