Class of 2023 All-Upper Midwest Defensive Dream Team

In case you missed it, I just recently published an exciting PrepRedzone multi-state feature naming the very best 2023 offensive players in the entire Upper Midwest. Comprised of the best of the best from the great states of Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, I picked a First Team, Second Team, and Honorable Mention group for every offensive position group and was overall impressed by the amount of talent these sometimes underrated recruiting states drew together for the C/o 2023 All-Upper Midwest Offensive Dream Team. If you haven't read it yet, check it out below: [embed]https://prepredzone.com/2022/06/class-of-2023-all-upper-midwest-offensive-team/[/embed] Now, it's time for defense. Similar to some offensive groups such as OL and TE, certain positions bred from Upper Midwest talent produce talent as good or better than anywhere else in the country, and I would love to see how this Defensive Dream Team would stack up and compete against other regional and sub-regional super teams from around the country, especially with the DL I'm about to highlight. Stay posted for the upcoming & following features naming the Defensive and All-Upper Midwest 2024 teams as well. Congratulations to the selections! Class of 2023 All-Upper Midwest Defensive Dream Team Defensive Line First Team: [player_tooltip player_id="19001" first="Jaxon" last="Howard"] (Robbinsdale Cooper, MN) DE. 6'4, 245 lbs. Considering Minnesota, LSU, Miami, Michigan The most highly touted defensive prospect in the Upper Midwest, Howard comes from P5 and NFL bloodlines and is the most popular prospect the state of Minnesota has seen since Seantrel Henderson back in the late 2000s. A TE and DE for the Cooper Hawks, Howard is a very impressive DE prospect, and at 250 pounds he's got a great get-off and substantial lateral agility, and that quickness also expands to his hands when he's manning the 5T spot on the DL. He's also strong at the point of contact and wrecked some QBs in his junior season off the edge. It also looked like he played some 7T and possibly standup Wide-9, and his overall versatility is another reason he's close to a 5-star prospect. Eryx Daugherty (Brother Rice, MI) DT. 6'4, 275 lbs. Committed to Boston College True DTs are hard to come by and highly coveted on the recruiting trail, and Boston College got a massive W in earning the commitment of 6'4, 270+ pounder Eryx Daugherty. With great size to play in the interior DL in college, Daugherty reports a 4.85 40-yard dash as well as a 4.2 GPA for a compelling mix of academics and athletics. A two-way lineman who also plays OG and shows off a great base and footwork, the Brother Rice rising senior is strong, bendy, and overall mobile for a man of his size, and his 275ish looks lean and powerful on tape and is going to grow even more impressive in a college S&C program. He makes things look very easy out on the fields of suburban Detroit. Eagles got a stud. [player_tooltip player_id="105139" first="Andrew" last="DePaepe"] (Pleasant Valley, IA) DE. 6'5, 245 lbs. Committed to Michigan State The massive DL from the Hawkeye State opens his junior highlights with an impressive run down of a loose WR downfield in a scary display of speed and hustle for a 6'5, 245+ pounder. It lets you know what kind of player the Bettendorf product is, as Depaepe is go-go-go every second between the whistles, and when he gets a full head of steam in pursuit he lays some massive hits that remind me of videos on Youtube where trains blow through box trucks stuck on the tracks. The rising senior is a terrifying combo of speed and strength off the edge and lined up all over the DL in 2021. OTs and QBs are going to have nightmares about this dude through the fields of Eastern Iowa. [player_tooltip player_id="162650" first="Jalen" last="Thompson"] (Cass Tech, MI) DE. 6'3, 245 lbs. Considering Michigan State, Cincinnati, Ohio State, Pittsburg among others Yet another First Team All-Upper Midwest product from Detroit's Cass Technical High School, strongside DE Thompson posted 30 tackles, 12 TFLs, and 10 sacks in only six games last fall, which included a massive multi-sack game against fellow Detroit Public League heavyweight Martin Luther King. Thompson is long, quick, and very athletic, with the ability to beat OTs to either shoulder and close on the football in a fast and easy fashion. Can't wait to see his production in 2022. -- Second Team: [player_tooltip player_id="30319" first="Kenny" last="Merrieweather"] (Martin Luther King, MI) DE. 6'3, 235 lbs. Considering Purdue, Iowa, Cincinnati Coming out of powerhouse MLK, Merrieweather gets to practice and play against strong competition and is a part of one of the stronger DL units in the entire Midwest. Although he's a bit small compared to some of the other monsters to make this list, his length is great as well as his first step and get-off, and he brings a ton of speed to the trenches but also showed he has some strength in his chest, as he backed down a few OGs with power moves last season. Merrieweather also brings a sweet spin move to his arsenal of pass rush moves, and his timing when executing counters after engaging with blockers is solid. He lined up at a variety of spots last fall and brings a lot of overall versatility to the defensive line. [player_tooltip player_id="19020" first="Elinneus" last="Davis"] (Moorhead, MN) DT. 6'3, 295 lbs. Considering Iowa State, Minnesota, Washington, and Vanderbilt among others The #1 defensive lineman in Minnesota, Davis has a wide variety of college finalists with four conferences and three different regions of the United States represented. Davis bullies opposing OGs and uses his hands noticeably and impressively well, and when he gets ahold of QBs he makes sure to completely envelops and smash them. He's simply too powerful and efficient for Northern Minnesota offensive lineman to handle, especially in 1-on-1 situations. Also is coming out of a strong program in the second to the largest class of MN football and is a legit 6'3, 295. Can't wait to see where he lands! [player_tooltip player_id="223084" first="Karter" last="Menz"] (West Fargo Sheyenne, ND) DE. 6'5, 215 lbs. Considering Nebraska, Minnesota, Stanford, Vanderbilt, and Washington State among others 85 The Dakota's premier defensive - and IMO overall - prospect in the 2023 class, Menz has scheduled official visits to Nebraska and Minnesota but is fresh off a Stanford offer five days ago, and we'll see if that offer list continues to expand if he draws out his commitment. The Fargo product and state champ in '21 totaled 57 tackles, 19.5 TFLs, 11.5 sacks, and 4 PBUs, and provides a different skill set to these DL picks as a true DE and sometimes standup EDGE presence. He's explosive out of his stance and at the point of contact, and left more than his fair share of sore QBs and RBs last fall. Menz looks slippery, quick, and hard to square up and get a clean punch on for opposing tackles, and also has some solid pop in his hands and can get in the backfield in a jiffy. He'll beat ya either upfield or across your face, and opposing lineman look overwhelmed with him on tape. [player_tooltip player_id="234417" first="Messiah" last="Blair"] (Martin Luther King, MI) DE. 6'7, 225 lbs. Considering Iowa, Kent State, Purdue, and Maryland among others Eye-popping size and length at 6'7, 225. Arms are just ridiculously long, and with each step, he can cover ground in a rare fashion. Shows some bend and the physicality to contribute to the run and pass game off the edge. Definite edge defender at the next level and provides a very dangerous physical skill set for the prep level. A big senior season could help solidify him as one of the best DEs in the Upper Midwest and Midwest overall. -- Third Team: David Caulker (Des Moines North, IA) DE. 6'4, 230 lbs. Committed to Iowa Saw his recruiting stock soar this spring, which resulted in the coveted, too-good-to-pass-up home state offer from the Hawkeyes. He committed just yesterday, which ended a recruitment that started with a Mizzou offer in early May and finished with seven FBS and five P5 offers. The Des Moines product is a skinny 230 that is going to blow up in a college weight program and can start and stop well, unlock his hips to beat blocks outside, and line up all around the DL. He's shifty at beating blocks and his best football is in front of him. Going to be a huge senior season for Caulker. Maddux Borcherding-Johnson (Norwalk, IA) DT. 6'3, 270 lbs. Committed to Iowa Also an outstanding wrestler who fits the prototypical successful mold of an Iowa Hawkeye lineman, Borcherding-Johnson committed to the B1G West '21 champion in the summer of 2021 and has seen his '23 and future '24 class grow with fellow Iowa natives excitingly as of late. His '21 highlights show off a strong and aggressive interior DL with pop, heavy and active hands, and good pad level and understanding of leverage I am used to seeing with wrestling/football standouts. He can beat blocks with strength or speed, and for a DT, he can drop his hips and change direction while disrupting QBs and RBs. Going to be a fun senior year for the Norwalk product. [player_tooltip player_id="243409" first="Laith" last="Shamma"] (Ann Arbor Huron, MI) 6'6, 240 lbs. Committed to Toledo Two-way standout who lined up at OT and DE for the River Rats (great mascot) and makes for a great commitment to MAC contender Toledo. As a DE, Shamma can dictate, move, and shed single-blocks from OTs and OGs at will, and is especially strong against the run, with the ability to get off blocks and finish tackles from the interior or as a DE. With an intriguing frame and a lot more room to grow, I think it's safe to say he'll be contributing to the Rockets sooner rather than later. [player_tooltip player_id="104373" first="Will" last="McDonald"] (Hudson, WI) DE. 6'5, 235 lbs. Holds offers from Iowa State, Kansas, Northern Illinois Wisconsin's premier pass-rusher in the 2023 class, Hudson Raider 6'4, 235 lber. is in contention for a Badgers offer and also holds P5 offers from Iowa State and Kansas. His high school also has a strong history of big-time football prospects, and next-in-line McDonald is an intriguing prospect off the edge with length, pursuit and closing speed, strong hustle, and a frame that a college strength coach would love to get ahold of. He mostly beats blocks with quickness but does a good job of finishing a play once he's in position and laid a couple of big pops last season. I'm sure the Badgers will be keeping an eye on him this fall, but don't sleep on Iowa State, they'd be a great spot for the NW Wisconsin native to wind up. Honorable Mention: [player_tooltip player_id="112052" first="Martin" last="Owusu"] (Prior Lake, MN) DT. 6'3, 270 lbs. Committed to Minnesota Began his career as a DE but saw his recruiting stock shoot up after putting on over 40 pounds of good weight and shifting inside to play 3T in college. Owusu is a strong kid with a good initial punch that puts blockers on their heels and allows him to cut and rip in the direction of the football. He's also got a good base and is strong enough to easily work through down blocks from strong OTs and gets out of stance well for a big boy. I can't wait to get ahold of some senior film on the Prior Lake Laker and future Golden Gopher. [player_tooltip player_id="105140" first="David" last="Borchers"] (North Scott, IA) DL. 6'3, 260 lbs. Holds offers from Iowa State, Nebraska, Army West Point, and a variety of MVFC offers The two-way standout who helped lead North Scott to a 9-1 record in 2021, Borchers posted 27.5 tackles, 10 TFLs, 3 sacks, and one forced fumble last season and was named 2nd Team All-State, 1st Team All-District, and 2nd Team All-Metro for his efforts. He's strong, powerful, and physically dominant at the point of attack, capable of splitting double teams, and heavy-handed when disengaging from blocks and wrapping up ball carriers. When he tackles you it's going to hurt. [player_tooltip player_id="250561" first="Brent" last="Hoppe"] (Beloit Turner, WI) DE. 6'4, 230 lbs. Holds double-digit FCS and FBS offers The Beloit native has an official visit to Central Michigan scheduled and was a First Team All-State pick in 2021 as a junior after posting an eye-popping 42 TFLs and 14 sacks! Hoppe flies out of his stance and into the backfield and reads, diagnoses, and locates the ball quickly and effectively. I also spy a little bit of bend in his game, as well as the use of a rip, swim, and stab opposing blockers. Brings a lot of burst to the edge and can get things done with his hand in the dirt or as a standup edge presence. [player_tooltip player_id="226712" first="Mason" last="Muragin"] (De La Salle Collegiate) 6'4, 235 lbs. Holds offers from Illinois, Akron, Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan, and more Recorded 68 tackles and 12.5 sacks as well as a very impressive 31 TFls in 2021. He can turn the corner at the top of the arc when rushing the QB and can beat OTs to their upfield shoulder consistently and in a variety of ways. I also like how he keeps his hands active and he takes good angles to the ball in pursuit. Muragin is coming off his first P5 offer in May when the Fighting Illini reached out with a B1G scholarship. -- Linebacker First Team: [player_tooltip player_id="152884" first="Ben" last="Kueter"] (Iowa City, IA) 6'3, 220 lbs. Committed to Iowa to play football and wrestle The best LB in the Upper Midwest also happens to be one of the best wrestlers, which makes his future at Iowa look incredibly optimistic and fitting. Built like a tank with more room to grow, Kueter shoots gaps and sheds blocks with ease, and finished tackles with thunderous force and aggressiveness. His offensive ability as a TE/HB showcases his athleticism and fluidity as an athlete, and his size and play style draws comparisons to the tough, hard-nosed LBs of old. He's got an insane amount of athletic talent and he's going to a program that develops their LBs well, so I cannot even begin to imagine how dominant he could be in a few short years. [player_tooltip player_id="152913" first="Asa" last="Newsom"] (Waverly-Shell Rock, IA) 6'4, 205 lbs. Considering Minnesota, Kansas State, Stanford, and Iowa among others Intriguing size and frame with a ton of room to add mass and muscle. Lethal as a pass-rushing LB, Newsom's closing speed, start and stop ability, and knack for a big hit all show up on film. He's more like a hybrid SS/LB mix who excels playing in the box, and he's hard-nosed and gets the most out of every chance for contact. Whoever lands him is going to get a good one! [player_tooltip player_id="287257" first="Alex" last="Elliott"] (Hutchinson, MN) 6'2, 205 lbs. Committed to Minnesota Committed to play B1G football yesterday after earning a hometown P5 offer from the Gophers at their prospect camp last Sunday but had solidified himself as P5 worthy before that with a Kansas offer. Contributes as a RB and LB who has the fluidity and speed to play safety if he needed to, Elliott even lined up at CB in 2021 and laid some big hits no matter what position he was in. When he puts his foot in the ground he powers out of his cuts and his stance well, which allows him to disrupt runs at the LOS and get hip-to-hip with ball carriers quickly while in space. He's also an asset in coverage and a three-down LB whose athleticism helps him shine on the offensive side of the ball as well. Coming from a 4A small town powerhouse in Hutchinson, he will be well-coached and ready for the big leagues when the time comes. I've seen him in person and the movement skills are there. Second Team: [player_tooltip player_id="56548" first="Richard" last="Benenge"] (Harrisburg, SD) 6'2, 220 lbs. Holds offers from UNLV, Arizona, San Jose State One of the Top-3 prospects in both North and South Dakota, Benenge plays big school South Dakota football and moves well laterally while shuffling and diagnosing the run, and he's got solid acceleration and brings his hips through contact for some bruising tackles and cut tackles. At 220 lbs. he can get up field and side-to-side impressively and is a great tackler who can blitz as well as work in space. He's on the recruiting trail currently, looking to add to his already three FBS and P5 offer lists. [player_tooltip player_id="206639" first="Blake" last="Fletcher"] (Racine Horlick, WI) 6'3, 220 lbs. Holds offers from Northern Iowa, Columbia, Army, Air Force, Lehigh, & St. Thomas Three-sport athlete with a solid, compact build who can shoot gaps and find creases in the traffic to locate and eliminate ball carriers all over the LOS. True ILB with good speed going North-South or at a 45-degree angle and explodes through contact and crushes QBs and RBs when he gets his paws on them. Also a monster in the weight room whose strength in his lower and upper bodies is noticeable and impactful on tape. [player_tooltip player_id="31404" first="Jaiden" last="Pickett"] (Milwaukee Riverside, WI) 6'3, 190 lbs. Holds offers from Long Island, Lindenwood, Western Illinois, Wyoming, NDSU, & more There is a lot of dynamic ability and positional potential in the Milwaukee product Pickett, who put on an absolute show as a 6'3, 180 lb. CB at our PRzWI Showcase two springs ago and since developed into an FBS talent who is right on the cusp of that elusive first P5 offer. He's got the speed and hips to play DB, the length and physicality to play closer to the LOS as a LB, and is an already accomplished DE at the prep level whose overall athleticism could not be handled or corraled by Milwaukee-area lineman and competition. Because he's such a hybrid, I decided to put him at LB for this feature and could see him playing some OLB in college, though I'd try him at safety first if I was his collegiate DC. He's one of the more intriguing defensive athletes in the Upper Midwest. Honorable Mention: [player_tooltip player_id="112049" first="Tyson" last="Cooreman"] (Randolph, MN) 6'4, 21small-town A small-town Southern MN prospect who brings a great frame to the table along with length, athleticism, and versatility, Cooreman made big plays as a WR, RB, LB, and DB in 2021 and is one of the more dynamic prospects in MN's 2023 class. He's got long strides and shows off good balance given his length when he's running the rock, where he has some real YAC ability. He also shows tracking skills as an OLB pursuing the football. I could see him staying at OLB or moving to TE at the next level. [player_tooltip player_id="105169" first="Josh" last="Hendricks"] (Dallas Center-Grimes, IA) 6'1, 210 lbs. Holds offers from Indiana State, NDSU, Illinois St, UNI, & St. Thomas A Second Team All-State pick last season, Hendricks has an impressive list of Missouri Valley suitors and in his junior tape, I saw a solidly built linebacker who flies downhill like his hair is on fire and is impressive and physical at the point of attack, especially when tackling. He can go sideline-to-sideline in pursuit, can flip his hips in coverage, and shows a little bit of slipperiness when avoiding blocks. [player_tooltip player_id="104359" first="Zander" last="Rockow"] (Eau Claire Regis) 6', 220 lbs. Committed to Minnesota (PWO) The experienced Eau Claire Regis LB/RB is heading into his fourth season of starting and just committed to the Golden Gophers yesterday after earning a PWO at their prospect camp on Sunday. A well-built and compact 220+, Rockow totaled 145 carries, 1400 all-purpose yards, and 21 TDs offensively but will line up on defense when he gets to the next level. Fast and balanced, Rockow was a bowling ball of a RB and can do just about anything asked of him on the gridiron. -- Defensive Back First Team: [player_tooltip player_id="162652" first="Amare" last="Snowden"] (Roseville, MI) CB. 6'3, 185 lbs. Announced a Top-6 of Kentucky, Penn State, Cincinnati, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Howard Excellent height and length for the CB position and brings along that frame that has DB coaches and DCs drooling in today's game. Runs like a deer and uses his long legs and stride to glide past pursuing opponents when the ball is in his hands. He breaks on the ball very quickly, shows comfortable ball skills when the rock is in the air and will bring the boom when the receiver catches the ball or in the run game. There are tons of physical tools at his disposal and he can play man coverage on the perimeter or out of the slot. [player_tooltip player_id="104715" first="Aidan" last="Hall"] (Harlan Community, IA) Safety. 6'1, 200 lbs. Committed to Iowa Instinctive, athletic, and a do-it-all safety with range, man coverage ability, and physicality in droves. I love how he goes up and high points the football for either INTs or PBUs, and watching him work off his hash to defend the sideline looks effortless, and he'll lay the wood when given the opportunity. I also like that he plays man coverage in the red zone, and there's a very impressive play early in his tape where he runs down a loose RB on a beautiful pursuit angle 50 yards down the field. He looks like he'll be able to provide a balanced skill set to the Iowa Hawkeyes DB room shortly. [player_tooltip player_id="24030" first="Jamison" last="Patton"] (Ankeny, IA) Safety. 6'2, 195 lbs. Considering Nebraska, Iowa State, UCLA, Iowa, and Minnesota among others A transfer from Des Moines-Roosevelt into big school Iowa powerhouse Ankeny, Patton played QB and safety last season but will most likely move to WR and keep his role at safety at his new home. Undercut a corner route from the opposite hash for an impressive INT on an errant throw to open his junior highlights. He's also one of the hardest hitters in the state, runs the alley like it's his job, and can flip his hips and speed turn well when the ball is thrown. Patton is built and already plays like a B1G safety. Can't wait to see where he commits. [player_tooltip player_id="30325" first="Jameel" last="Croft"] (Martin Luther King, MI) CB. 6'1, 165 lbs. Holds offers from the likes of Illinois, Kansas, Indiana, and Purdue among others Possesses quick feet, and quick hips, and can drop his hips and break on the football on a dime. Croft is very comfortable out on an island on the perimeter, when the ball is in the air, and when the football is in his hand. On tape, I also like how he plays with obvious competitiveness and energy, and he won't hesitate to support the run or jam you at the LOS. Croft is overall smooth and carries a good frame to the table as a college CB prospect. MLK churns out studs like a factory. Second Team: [player_tooltip player_id="243426" first="Mychal" last="Yharbrough"] (Belleville, MI) DB. 6'2, 185 lbs. Holds offers from Ole Miss, almost every MAC school, and Alabama A&M among others Helped Belleville win a D1 state championship in 2021 thanks to his playmaking ability and mentality from the defensive backfield. When he's at safety, I like the patience he shows in read steps when he's reading and reacting to the depth of the WR's route, and with his long legs, he does a good job of dropping his hips and powering out of his cuts to break quick and explosive breaks on the football. I also saw some big hits and solid pursuit angles on his junior tape. Going to be a big senior szn for Mr. Yharbrough! [player_tooltip player_id="105189" first="Watts" last="McBride"] (George Washington, IA) Safety. 6', 185 lbs. Holds offers from Nebraska, Army, and South Dakota A First Team All-State DB last season as well as the state of Iowa's Rugby MVP in 2021, McBride is right on the cusp of another P5 offer after already reeling in opportunities from Nebraska, Army, and South Dakota. Posted 52.5 tackles, 7 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, 943 total yards, and 11 TDs in 2021 and is sure to best those numbers as a senior this upcoming fall. Perfectly executed a beautiful hook and ladder play on the second play of his junior tape. Strong gait and lower body helps him break tackles and scoot by defenders while carrying the ball, and on defense, I like he can run the alley and tackle in space, blitz, and generally keep himself around the football at all times. More P5 offers will come his way before the summer concludes. Jamil Thomas (Ann Arbor Huron, MI) 6'1, 195 lbs. Holds offers from Marshall, Youngstown State, Morgan State, and a host of MAC suitors Tallied an impressive 118 tackles, 10 TFLs, 9 PBUs, and 5 FFs in a successful junior campaign. Flies to the ball like he's shot out of a cannon and explodes through contact like the cannonball finding the ground. Puts the strong in strong safety and can operate successfully around the box but also split out and cover TEs and receivers out of the slot. Love the noticeable energy and hype he plays with and is a strong tackler and productive blitzer. Garrison Monroe (Shakopee, MN) Safety. 6', 180 lbs. Holds offers from Northern Iowa, South Dakota State, North Dakota, South Dakota Does a little bit of everything on the football field as a safety but I most enjoy his range and how much ground he covers in both coverage and run support. Posted 23 tackles, 6 PBUs, 3 TDs, and 2 INTs in 2021. Great closing speed and physicality. Just had himself a heckuva individual performance this past Sunday at the Gophers prospect camp and shot up the Minnesota safety board to get himself right on the cusp of his first P5 offer. Honorable Mention: [player_tooltip player_id="30353" first="Torrence" last="Greene"] (Ann Arbor Huron) S/CB. 5'11, 165 lbs. Totaled 45 tackles, 15 PBUs, and 5 INTs for an impressive stat line that adds to his already distinguished pedigree that includes three All-Conference picks, two All-State Honorable Mention nods, and two Dream Team selections. Lined up all over the defensive backfield and uses his notable speed to hang with receivers deep in man coverage, patrol the MOF to make great plays on the ball, and come up and make high-speed tackles on RBs who broke through the first two levels of his defense. Greene is a ballhawk and under-recruited, in my humble opinion. [player_tooltip player_id="30347" first="Darius" last="Whiteside"] (Troy, MI) CB. 6'2, 160 lbs. Considering Western Michigan, Central Michigan, Akron Another Michigan recruit with great size and length for the CB position, Whiteside is also a standout basketball player who displays what looks like a solid backpedal and hips, speed out of his breaks, and has the ability to high point the football when it's in the air. Has the skills to contest every kind of route on the tree. [player_tooltip player_id="287256" first="Najee" last="Nelson"] (Lakeville North) CB. 6', 170 lbs. Holds offers from Northern Iowa, Montana State, NDSU The younger brother of NDSU wideout Raja Nelson, younger brother Najee is an outstanding tackler and physical presence on the perimeter of Lakeville North's defense. Whether it's a cut tackle, shoulder to shoulder high hit or a wrap-up, he'll stick you and stick you happily. He can plant his cleat in the ground and get up field well and shows off some burst and a frame that would thrive in a college weight program. He's a hard NDSU lean, in my opinion. Jaylin Townsend (Flint Beecher, MI) Safety. 6'1, 160 lbs. Posted a blazing 10.75 100M dash time this spring and already received a nod on our All-Upper Midwest Offensive Dream Team for 2023 as a WR. The speed shows up on film and could be a huge and invaluable asset as a MOF defender. --