Minnesota’s Best Defensive Lineup Going into ’22: All Classes
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I’m keeping it short and rolling right into the defensive edition of my PrepRedzoneMN special naming the best 11 defensive players in Minnesota going into 2022 for this All-Class, MN’s Best Defensive Lineup feature. Only four defensive linemen, three linebackers, and four…
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Continue ReadingI’m keeping it short and rolling right into the defensive edition of my PrepRedzoneMN special naming the best 11 defensive players in Minnesota going into 2022 for this All-Class, MN’s Best Defensive Lineup feature. Only four defensive linemen, three linebackers, and four DBs could be selected. I also included a Second Team and a brief write-up of each athlete. Just for some quick notes: 1) I had a particularly hard time picking the defensive lineman, and specifically the second team. There were a lot of talented options to choose from between the ’23 and ’24 classes, with Jack Liwienski Jack Liwienski 6'3" | 265 lbs | DL Minnetonka | 2023 State MN , John Barrow John Barrow 6'1" | 280 lbs | DL Cooper | 2023 State MN , Trent Page Trent Page 6'4" | 245 lbs | DL Minnehaha Academy | 2024 State MN , and a couple of other studs earning serious contention for one of the selections. 2) It’s also a great year for linebackers in the state, with all shapes, sizes, and play styles to choose from a bunch of thumpers having to get cut. And 3) I really miss Minnesota and wish I was home all the time so I could watch a lot of these kids up close and in person, but from what I can see on film I think two Eden Prairie and two Edina DBs should be earning more college recruiting attention. That’s all, enjoy!
Minnesota’s Best Defensive Lineup
Defensive Line:
DE: Jaxon Howard Jaxon Howard 6'4" | 245 lbs | DL Cooper | 2023 State MN (Robbinsdale Cooper) 6’4, 245 lbs. Senior.
Going to be interesting where Minnesota’s blue-chipper ends up playing in college, as TE and DE are both viable options, and from what I’ve heard schools are leaving the option up to him on whether he’ll start his career on offense or defense. Per Ryan Burns on GopherIllustrated.com: it sounds like Miami, LSU, and Minnesota are his final three. I can’t remember if he’s announced a final decision date or not, but I’d expect a commitment before the season kicks off in late August. Was already mentioned today as our First Team All-Class pick on offense at TE.
DT: Elinneus Davis Elinneus Davis 6'2" | 300 lbs | DL Moorhead | 2023 State MN (Moorhead) 6’3, 295 lbs. Senior.
Yet another stud Moorhead Spud, only this time in the trenches. A bonafide P5 defensive lineman and Top-5 prospect in the state of Minnesota, Davis holds offers from Iowa State, NDSU, Kansas, Washington, Illinois, Minnesota, Vanderbilt, and Colorado. He has announced an official visit to Vandy and has some buzz around him possibly committing to the home state Gophers, so I’ll be interested to see how his time in Nashville goes in this upcoming OV. Great size, first step, and hand placement/usage and can freeze and move opposing lineman almost at will. Best player in Northern Minnesota or “up north” in 2023.
DT: Martin Owusu Martin Owusu 6'4" | 270 lbs | DL Prior Lake | 2023 State MN (Prior Lake) 6’3, 270 lbs. Senior.
Either Owusu or Prior Lake teammate Greg Johnson Greg Johnson 6'5" | 275 lbs | OL Prior Lake | 2023 State MN earn the “biggest stock riser” of any 2023 Minnesotan during this current recruiting cycle, and I’m ecstatic that Owusu will Row The Boat and has committed to playing Big10 football for the home state Gophers. I’ll proudly yell to the masses that he’s a multi-time PRzMN Showcase MVP, and with his massive weight gain that still allowed him to maintain his explosiveness and quickness, he’s going to be one of the most dominant defensive forces in the Metro this upcoming fall.
Martin Owusu Martin Owusu 6'4" | 270 lbs | DL Prior Lake | 2023 State MN – PL
DE: Wyatt Gilmore Wyatt Gilmore 6'4" | 250 lbs | DL Rogers | 2024 State MN (Rogers) 6’4, 240 lbs. Junior.
I’m sitting back and enjoying the beginning of the ride of what is Gilmore’s recruitment, as the 2024 DE received his first offer from Iowa State on April 29th and Central Michigan today. I appreciate the Rogers product attending one of our PRzMN Showcases as a freshman as we were able to get an early look at his eye-popping athleticism after he blew the roof off the testing portion of the event as a young underclassman still growing into his body. He’s explosive, productive, and a natural defensive end who is a sure bet to build on his 17 TFL, 4 sack sophomore campaign. The Royals have a great one on their hands.
Wyatt Gilmore Wyatt Gilmore 6'4" | 250 lbs | DL Rogers | 2024 State MN – Rogers
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Linebackers:
OLB: Alex Elliott Alex Elliott 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Hutchinson | 2023 State MN (Hutchinson) 6’2, 200 lbs. Senior.
One of only a handful of in-state prospects to have a legit shot at adding a Gophers offer during this summer’s upcoming prospect camp in Dinkytown. After watching him compete as a DB at a PRzMN Showcase when he was a freshman or young sophomore, I believe the athleticism in the Hutchinson product may be there. I could have seen him projecting to safety after watching him as an underclassman, and after seeing his highlights at RB as a junior there’s a good case to be made that he’s got the physical frame and skill set to be a P5 linebacker at the next level. Going to be a big summer for the next Hutch Tigers superstar. Holds offers from Ohio, South Dakota, Illinois State, Army, NDSU, Fordham, Air Force, and UNI. I also loved watching this dude’s older brother play ball.
ILB: Kayode Amusan Kayode Amusan 6'3" | 210 lbs | LB Woodbury | 2023 State MN (Woodbury) 6’3, 215 lbs. Senior.
Speaking of older brothers who can ball, our ILB on the First Team also is following in the footsteps of a baller of an older brother. The younger Amusan currently holds offers from Illinois State, Army, and Central Michigan and has also visited Boise State and NDSU. Solid length and good closing speed that helped him wreck some QBs this past summer on blitzes and when tracking and closing when the quarterback gets outside of the pocket. Moves well in space and tracks the ball well either between the tackles or sideline to sideline.
OLB: Mason Carrier Mason Carrier 6'2" | 225 lbs | LB Detroit Lakes | 2024 State MN (Detroit Lakes) 6’2, 205 lbs. Junior.
Possibly the best linebacker in the entire state, Carrier just balled out at our most recent PRzMN Showcase and could have earned overall MVP honors while also catching the attention of 24/7Sports scout and former Northstar Football News contributor Ryan Burns. To be honest, fellow PRzMN scout Nate Wahl has been all over this kid long before anyone else, and after we got to get eyes on him in person and see how well he moves, tests, and competes, it sounds like he’s a surefire future P5 recruit who is on a shortlist of 2024s to earn a Gophers offer sooner rather than later.
Mason Carrier Mason Carrier 6'2" | 225 lbs | LB Detroit Lakes | 2024 State MN – DL
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Defensive Backs:
CB: Najee Nelson Najee Nelson 5'11" | 165 lbs | DB Lakeville North | 2023 State MN (Lakeville North) 6’, 165 lbs. Senior.
Hard North Dakota State Bison lean as a potential commit and comes from athletic stock in his older brother and former StarTribune Metro POY Raja Nelson, now an NDSU wideout. Younger brother Nelson is a surefire CB with some particularly impressive enforcement in the run game but has the top-end speed and body control to stay with opponents downfield, vertically, and in and out of breaks.
FS: Garrison Monroe (Shakopee) 6’,1 180 lbs. Senior.
Good athlete who can contribute on offense in the Shako triple-option and shows off a ton of range, tackling ability, and overall versatility. Undercuts throws in coverage and runs the alley particularly well. Currently holds three offers from Northern Iowa, South Dakota State, and North Dakota.
SS: Marques Monroe Marques Monroe 6'1" | 190 lbs | DB Bloomington Kennedy | 2023 State MN (Bloomington Kennedy) 6’1, 190 lbs. Senior.
Does a little bit of everything and puts the “strong” in strong safety after some of his bone-crushing hits in 2021, which made him an easy selection for the SS spot in this All-Class, All-Minnesota Defensive Lineup going into the fall. Big hits, interceptions, man coverage on perimeter, Monroe is all over the field on both sides of the ball and is the best recruit in a long time for the Kennedy Eagles.
CB: Jacory Bates Jacory Bates 6'0" | 175 lbs | ATH Eden Prairie | 2023 State MN (Eden Prairie) 6’, 175 lbs. Senior.
Has made some noise on the summer 7-on-7 circuit and is in the process of raising his stock as a recruit and college football prospect. Bates is also an accomplished wrestler for Eden Prairie and made a deep run in the most recent MN state wrestling tournament and was very close to finding the podium in the 160AAA bracket. It’s hard to get a good look at his footwork on tape, but I can tell that he closes on the ball quickly and can cover a lot of ground when he breaks on the football whether it’s in the air or the arms of a ball carrier. Also, a great fundamental tackler and can operate and break up passes in man or zone coverage. No offers yet for the EP Eagle.
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Second Team
Defensive Line:
DE: Chiddi Obiazor Chiddi Obiazor 6'6" | 220 lbs | DL Eden Prairie | 2023 State MN (Eden Prairie) 6’6, 230 lbs. Senior.
Do we have a new Jermaine Johnson on our hands? Only time will tell, but for now, it is obvious that there is a lot of potential upside in 2023 pass-rusher Chiddi Obiazor Chiddi Obiazor 6'6" | 220 lbs | DL Eden Prairie | 2023 State MN . His older brother Namdi – also an EP grad – is signed to play DB for Texas Christian this fall, and Chiddi is joining the college football mix after earning an offer from Ohio in December. The length, get-off, and athleticism are all there and present in his junior film, but we have to see more reps overall and also a little bit of physicality in the run blocking department. As mentioned though, his ceiling is very high and he’ll benefit greatly from some strong senior tape. Going to be a fun one to keep an eye on come fall.
DT: Keenan Wilson Keenan Wilson 6'2" | 280 lbs | DL Eagan | 2023 State MN (Eagan) 6’2, 285 lbs. Senior.
It’s nice to discuss an Eagan Wildcat, and they got a good one as DT Keenan Wilson Keenan Wilson 6'2" | 280 lbs | DL Eagan | 2023 State MN can fly for a big guy. He explodes out of his stance and shows some lateral agility and proper hand usage that would get college coaches excited, and a few sure is, as Central Michigan and South Dakota have already offered. I love watching him run and pursue and trigger on the football as both a run and pass defender and I’ve mentioned before how big a fan I am of his rep around 30 seconds into his junior tape where he runs down a loose back 40 yards downfield. He’s a big athlete and is going to have a very successful college career, in my opinion.
DT: Antonio Fondren Antonio Fondren 6'5" | 270 lbs | DL Osseo | 2023 State MN (Osseo) 6’4, 290 lbs. Senior.
The BSM transfer has been a late but noteworthy addition to the 2023 recruiting scene in MN and has recently earned offers from Hawaii, Eastern Kentucky, South Alabama, and Florida A&M and is a good bet to see more before he makes a college commitment. Can freeze offensive linemen with his initial punch and back them down easily if they don’t have a strong base. Can play all over the DL and shows good speed for 290 pounds both off the snap and in pursuit of the ball. He’s also patient and can break down when tackling around the LOS and overwhelms smaller, weaker opponents both when tackling and beating blocks. I cannot wait to watch him finish his prep career out with Osseo and my guy Ryan Stockhaus.
DE: Aidan Boehle Aidan Boehle 6'6" | 210 lbs | DL Minnetonka | 2023 State MN (Minnetonka) 6’5, 205 lbs. Senior.
This was a really tough one to pick. If I could completely have it my way, I’d go with three DTs and slide Fondren outside, but I’ll stick to the traditional lineup and go with a more traditional DE/EDGE. I’ve talked about Aidan a lot lately, but it’s too hard to ignore his frame, athletic gifts, and power through contact. It’s going to be a big spring for the ’Tonka pass rusher.
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Linebackers:
OLB: Tyson Cooreman Tyson Cooreman 6'4" | 205 lbs | ATH Randolph | 2023 State MN (Randolph) 6’4, 205 lbs. Senior.
I’d be stoked to see Cooreman pick up a little more steam on the recruiting trail as I think he’d be a heckuva FCS pickup for someone in the Missouri Valley, but either way, he’s one of the best Outstate prospects in Minnesota for 2023 and is going to do a little bit of everything this fall as he tries to lead the Rockets to great heights. Frame, playmaking ability, versatility, and physicality are three of my favorite traits in the Southern MN prospect and I’m excited to get my eyes on some more of his tape as we progress further into the summer.
ILB: Gavin Bass Gavin Bass 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB Rosemount | 2023 State MN (Rosemount) 6’3, 225 lbs. Senior.
A classic downhill bruiser who blows through blockers and ball carriers alike and punishes RBs and QBs when he gets ahold of them. Bass likes hitting people so much that he even moonlights as a run-blocking TE and occasionally OT for the Rosemount Irish. He also comes from hearty stock, as his older brother is a former South Dakota State offensive lineman.
OLB: Wes Overton Wes Overton 6'3" | 215 lbs | LB Rockford | 2023 State MN (Rockford) 6’3, 215 lbs. Senior.
Long, playmaker, and a menace in pass coverage from the linebacking position who picked off seven passes in 2021. He’s a prospect I wish I could get my eyes on in person (I miss Minnesota), but for the past two seasons, he’s put out some consistently fun to watch, explosive, and dynamic game tape that I enjoy watching every single time I put it on. We’ll see what his senior year has in store for him!
Defensive Backs:
CB: Zashon Rich Zashon Rich 6'2" | 180 lbs | DB MPLS North | 2024 State MN (MPLS North) 6’2, 180 lbs. Junior.
Great length and physical pedigree for a rising junior who is coming from the talent-rich Polars and is already an experienced and confident corner with no problem coming up to tackle, getting put on an island on the outside, and playing aggressively when the pigskin is in the air. If he’s as good as I think he may be, we’ll be seeing it this fall.
FS: Devin Jordan Devin Jordan 6'2" | 190 lbs | DB Eden Prairie | 2023 State MN (Eden Prairie) 6’2, 185 lbs. Senior.
Possesses one of my favorite junior tapes in the entire 2023 MN class. Flies around with energy and is all over the place in coverage, blitzing, and run support. He’s got a ton of burst out of his stance – especially off the edge – can lay a thud in the open field, and is fast and rangy enough to capitalize on over and underthrows from opposing quarterbacks trying to fit balls into windows that are too small. I like watching him play, and with how well-coached up Eden Prairie players are you can bet he can do it all, and do it all well, leading the Eagle’s defensive secondary.
SS: Peyton Himley Peyton Himley 6'2" | 180 lbs | DB Edina | 2023 State MN (Edina) 6’2, 180 lbs. Senior.
Tremendous at triggering on the football in both the run and pass game. Runs the alley very well, is a strong tackler, and is instinctual in coverage and at understanding and processing plays as they happen. Good size for a high school safety and part of a talented 2023 Edina class that is hoping to bring a rebirth to the Hornet football program. I love watching this dude play football!
CB: Jackson Powers Jackson Powers 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB Maple Grove | 2023 State MN (Maple Grove) 6’, 185 lbs. Senior.
Another prospect I under-ranked and under-appreciated, Powers holds offers from UConn and Morgan State and had a productive junior szn with the Crimson that nearly resulted in him helping his squad to a 6A state championship. I like his hips, feet, and ball skills and I think he could potentially play corner or safety at the next level. He’s got no problem covering 1-on-1 for four quarters and has good size at 6’, 185 pounds going into his senior year.