OFFENSE

Quarterbacks

Mason West, Edina

Senior • 6-6, 215 • college commitment: Michigan State, for hockey

This will be West’s final year under center as he shifts his focus to his hockey career. He’s passed for 5,217 yards and 65 touchdowns in two seasons, giving good reason to expect high-level production this fall.

Jett Feeney, Moorhead

Junior • 6-2, 195 • undecided

A natural with the ball in his hands, Feeney looks born to be a quarterback. He shows a strong, accurate arm, excellent timing and good ball placement.

Running backs

Martin Sleen, Hermantown

Junior • 5-11, 165 • undecided

A burner who’s a threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball, gone before the defense can react. He finished third in the Class 2A 100-meter and second in the 200 at the state meet in the spring.

Caleb Francois, Minnetonka

Senior • 6-1, 190 • Iowa State

The state’s slipperiest runner is positively charged in the open field. Francois started at quarterback a year ago and has moved to running back this season, leaving the QB spot to junior passer Caden Gutzmer.

Taye Reich, Moorhead

Junior • 5-11, 180 • undecided

Reich, considered the top running back prospect in Minnesota, runs with strength between the tackles and bursts through holes with speed.

Receivers

David Mack, Moorhead

Junior • 6-0, 170 • undecided

The most polished wide receiver in the state, Mack gets separation easily, has tremendous hands and can turn any catch into a big play. He caught 69 passes for 930 yards and 18 TDs in 2024.

John Jeanetta, North St. Paul

Senior • 6-0, 185 • undecided

Under the radar despite his 70 receptions in 2024, most in the state among players who are back in 2025, Jeanetta is an exceptional route runner with sticky hands, and he separates from the defense in the open field, leading to 13 TDs last season.

Pierce Petersohn, Triton

Senior • 6-5, 200 • Penn State

In a state loaded with tight end prospects, the athletic Petersohn stands out. He runs a 4.54-second 40-yard dash and has high-jumped 6 feet, 10 inches, and his 6-foot-9 wingspan makes for a giant catch radius.

Athlete

Roman Voss, Jackson County Central

Senior • 6-4, 230 • Minnesota

He’s such a marvelous athlete that Alabama came calling. A strong-armed quarterback with innate leadership skills, he’s projected as a tight end or linebacker in college.

Kicker

Sawyer Riffle, Brainerd

Senior • 6-1, 215 • North Dakota

During the 2024 season, Riffle was 28-for-29 on extra points and made field goals of 42, 33, 32, 29 and 26 yards. Three of his field-goal attempts were blocked as a result of bad snaps, and he hit the upright on another.

Linemen

Andrew Trout, Rocori

Senior • 6-6, 270 •Minnesota

Athletic and nimble for a player of his size, Trout missed much of last season with a broken toe, so he has something to prove in 2025.

Owen Linder, Chanhassen

Senior • 6-5, 275 •Iowa

Linder had seven Power Four offers before committing to Iowa. He plays with a good, low pad level and takes short steps, keeping balance and leverage.

Weston Rowe, Jackson County Central

Senior • 6-7, 270 • South Dakota State

A beast on the interior with good lateral movement, Rowe finishes blocks with power.

Ethan Beckman, Prior Lake

Senior • 6-5, 330 • Iowa State

Beckman is light and quick on his feet for a 300-plus pounder and overwhelming when engaged with a defender.

Braden Petzel, Mankato East

Senior • 6-9, 270 • Northern Illinois

He first gained attention on the basketball court but has added the bulk to be a force on the line. Sheer size makes him difficult for opposing rushers to beat.

DEFENSE

Linemen

Howie Johnson, Forest Lake

Senior • 6-3, 260 • Minnesota

A throwback type, Johnson is physical, with a warrior’s mentality and athleticism to spare. A natural leader, he refuses to get beaten.

Sawyer Jezierski, Edina

Senior • 6-4, 260 • Iowa

Jezierski looks bigger than 260 pounds and plays with ferocity, shedding blockers with ease. He’s nearly impossible to block with one player.

Micah Fenney, Norwood Young America

Senior • 6-4, 230 • Augustana

A defensive end/edge rusher, he plays with the burst of a player much smaller. Speed allows him to get the edge, and long arms allow him to stand up blockers and play the run with success.

Ajibola Afuye, Stillwater

Senior • 6-5, 240 • Iowa State

Explosive at the snap, Afuye penetrates effectively and uses his hands well to play off blockers. He’s fast enough to chase down ball carriers from the back side.

Linebackers

Ryder Skanson, Maple Grove

Senior • 6-2, 215 • Air Force

A heat-seeking missile in pursuit of a ball carrier, Skanson plays downhill, attacking the line of scrimmage and blowing up plays before they get started.

Aidan Boche, Park of Cottage Grove

Senior • 6-4, 205 • undecided

Long and athletic, he sheds blockers at the point of attack, pursues with purpose, sideline to sideline, and makes his presence felt.

Preston Hanson, Fertile-Beltrami

Senior • 6-4, 220 • undecided

An athlete who can outrun most blockers, Hanson has the speed to chase down runners and deliver a blow when he arrives. He plays with heart and grit.

Secondary

Blake Betton, Shakopee

Junior • 6-3, 200 • undecided

Betton is a fantastic athlete who is a standout on the basketball court but knows his future lies in football. He’s a safety/linebacker, excelling in coverage but at his best when supporting the run. He’s received 13 Division I offers, five from the Big Ten, including Minnesota.

Deron Russell, Waseca

Senior • 6-1, 165 • North Dakota State

Here’s another basketball player who utilizes that athleticism and ability to change direction on the gridiron. He’s a cornerback type with exceptional ball skills.

Levi Grigson, Hill-Murray

Senior • 6-1, 190 • Air Force

A safety, he plays with intensity and hits with force. Combine that with a high football IQ and recognition skills, and Grigson is a natural leader in the defensive backfield.

Jayden Meister, Marshall

Junior • 6-6, 175 • undecided

A multisport standout with athleticism in abundance, Meister excels at basketball, but skills developed on the court — coordination, leaping ability and quick change of direction — translate well to football and to cornerback.

Brayden Dozier, Maple Grove

Senior • 5-11, 170 • North Dakota State

The son of former Gophers defensive back Ukee Dozier, Brayden committed to North Dakota State after receiving nine FCS-level offers. He is adept at flipping his hips and turning to run with receivers. Dozier made 42 tackles and five interceptions in 2024.