Minnesota's High School Class of 2015 Top 20 Football Players to Watch

[GopherHole Staff]

Minnesota's High School Class of 2015 Top 20 Football Players to Watch
By VAmes

http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/262995?referrer_id=331171



With 19 different players holding D1 football offers out to rising seniors from the Class of 2014, I thought I would shift gears and complete the next review of the Class of 2015 top players with D1 potential. I based the following list on top performers in the stats column during their sophomore year playing varsity, post season honors, and height weight. Needless to say Cretin-Derham Hall DE Jashon Cornell (6’3 240) is not only the top player in the state, but will be one of the top players in the nation with 20 BCS offers. However following Jashon, there are a number of top players that have solid height/weight to play at the next level and had very solid seasons on the gridiron. Many have confirmed that they will be attending the Gopher junior elite camp and other D1 football camps this summer. It will be interesting to see who walks away with offers following their performance.

Jashon Cornell, 6’3 240, DE, Cretin-Derham Hall (6A) - Has received offers from Minnesota, Notre Dame, Ohio State, USC, Florida, Missouri, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Stanford, Iowa, Penn State, Cal, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, and Vanderbilt. In 9 games, had 47 tackles (39 solo), 14 sacks, 26 TFL, 20 QB Hurries, 3 forced fumbles, and 1 blocked field goal.

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1833408/#highlights/35266422

William Rains, 5’11 215, RB, Eastview (6A) - 2012 All-Pioneer Press HM. 2012 All-Conference. In 10 games for state qualifying Eastview, had 275 carries 1638 yards and 21 TDs. Averaged 6 yards a carry and 150 yards per game in one of the top conferences in the state.

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1261752/#highlights/21945377

Josh Corcoran, 6’3 225, LB, Lakeville South (6A) - In 9 games, had 62 solo tackles, 3 sacks, 3 fumbles recovered, and 1 forced fumble. Has recorded a 4.76 40. Max bench is 350. Max squat is 440. Vertical is 32”. Broad jump is 8’9”.

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1880886/#highlights/19910400

John Rumpza, 6’6 185, QB, Blooming Prairie (1A) - In 11 games for 9-2 team, completed 178 of 304 passes (59%) for 3001 yards and 37 TDs. YPG was 272 yards. Had 39 carries for 163 yards and 2 TDs.

Drayton Carlberg, 6’6 265, OL/DL, DeLaSalle (4A) - Starting offensive and defensive lineman.

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1915643/drayton-carlberg

Dillon Holtan, 6’6 270, OL, Stewartville (3A) - Starting offensive lineman as a sophomore.

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1914659/#highlights/43979380

Jack Darnell, 6’3 250, DL/LB, Champlin Park (6A) - In 6 games, had 33 tackles (4 solo), 10 tackles for a loss, and 10 QB hurries. Recorded a 4.85 40, 25" vertical, 300 max bench, and 400 max squat.

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/914113/#highlights/2612412



Dalton Elliott, 6’1 175, QB, Nicollet - 2012 All Conference. In 11 games, complete 175 of 312 passed for 2,704 yard and 32 TDs. Had 195 carries for 876 yards and 7 TDs.

Brett Shepley, 6’3 205, DB, Burnsville (6A) - 2012 All-Pioneer Press HM. All-Conference Honorable Mention. In 9 games, 68 tackles (45 solo) and 2 blocked kicks.

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1253131/#brett-shepley

Chazz Johnson, 5’9 170, RB, Holy Family (4A) - In 10 games, had 173 carries for 1178 yards (7.1 ypc) and 12 TDs. Had 12 receptions for 121 yards. On defense, had 43 tackles (37 solo), 1 sack, 1 INT, and 2 fumbles recovered.

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1107273/#highlights/39997803

Alex Hart, 6’2 205 200, LB, Prior Lake (6A) - 2012 All-Conference HM. In 10 games had 51 tackles (18 solo) and 1 INT. Placed 3rd in State Wrestling at 195 and finished with a 38-6 record. Has recorded a 4.9 40, 4.5 shuttle, 30" vertical, max bench if 300, and max squat is 425.

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1685420/#highlights/31303373

Michael Lee, 6’4 190, WR, Dawson-Boyd - In 13 games, had 40 receptions for 630 yards and 11 TDs.

Anthony Thene, 6’4 300, OL/DL, Sartell (5A) – 2012 All-Area HM. All Section. In 8 games, had 35 tackles (17 solo) and 2 sacks.

Datrice Mulsumo, 5’9 170, DB/Athlete, Champlin Park (6A) - In 10 games, had 50 tackles (24 solo), 2 forced fumbles, 1 blocked field goal, 6 PBUs, and 1 INT.

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/914127/#highlights/2578403

Ryan Schlichte, 6’1 195, QB, Mankato West (5A) - 2012 All City and All Conference. In 10 games, completed 148 of 266 passes (56%) for 2278 yards and 25 TDs.

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1383363/#highlights/26271388

Harry Momoh, 5’10 190, DB, Hopkins (6A) – Two year starter for Hopkins. In 6 games as a junior, had 25 tackles (18 solo), 2 TFLs, 1 QB hurry, and 1 fumble recovery.

http://www.hudl.com/mp/38727/2012##32758373-1

Dmitri Williams, 5’11 175, RB, Rosemount - 2012 All-Pioneer Press HM. All Conference. Had 35 receptions for 434 yards and 69 carries for 284 yards and 4 TDs.

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1588626/#highlights/22692383

Ben Alvord, 6’2 220, QB/DB, St. Cloud Apollo – 2012 All Area First Team. 2012 All Conference. In sophomore season, completed 84 of 157 passes for 1263 yards and 13 TDs. On defense, had 50 tackles (28 solo), 1 INT, and 1 fumble recovery.

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1376781/#highlights/31343026

Dillon Card, 6’5 200, QB/LB, Verndale (9M) - In 10 games, had completed 61 of 108 passes for 834 yards and 13 TDs. Had 234 carries for 1091 yards and 17 TDs. Had 77 tackles (28 solo), 1.5 sacks, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble, and 4 fumble recoveries. In state wrestling, placed 5th in 182 with a 40-3 record.

Jack Burns, 6’2 215, LB, Minnetonka (6A) – Starting varsity linebacker for Minnetonka.

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/592177/#highlights/33702016

 

[paulser21]

Rains sure isn't afraid of contact. Powerful runner!

 

[short ornery norwegian]

I've seen Dalton Elliot of Nicollet play. Nice touch on the ball, but he's not very big. He also had a fairly serious injury during wrestling season - I saw him at the section WR tournament and he was in a neck brace.

Good player for his level,(plays 9-man FB), but I really don't see him as a D1 prospect. More likely D2 or even D3.

The Lee kid from Dawson-Boyd is probably a better basketball player than football. If I had to bet my own money, I would say he plays hoops in college.

In general, it's tough for kids from small schools to make the jump to D1 unless they have unusual size or athletic ability - like Tyler Marz and Jonah Pirsig.

 

[vames]

I've seen Dalton Elliot of Nicollet play. Nice touch on the ball, but he's not very big. He also had a fairly serious injury during wrestling season - I saw him at the section WR tournament and he was in a neck brace.

Good player for his level,(plays 9-man FB), but I really don't see him as a D1 prospect. More likely D2 or even D3.

The Lee kid from Dawson-Boyd is probably a better basketball player than football. If I had to bet my own money, I would say he plays hoops in college.

In general, it's tough for kids from small schools to make the jump to D1 unless they have unusual size or athletic ability - like Tyler Marz and Jonah Pirsig.

As I mentioned in another post, this is a subjective list based on a number of factors. Elliot was listed at 5'10 during the 2012 season and has stated to have grown a few inches the past year. I had him up there purely based on 2700 yards passing and 32 TDs on the season. If he puts on a few more inches and fills out some, he may have potential.

Lee does indeed have nice size and athletic ability. If he keeps working his speed and adds 25 pounds, he could be an interesting prospect.

Agree that small town kids have a greater challenge to break into the D1 ranks, but it is certainly not impossible. Fruechte is from Caledonia. Decker from Cold Spring. Campion from Fergus Falls. Other D1 players that come to mind from small schools - John Carlson from Litchfield who went to Notre Dame, Karl Klug from Caledonia went to Iowa, Disterhaupt from Moose Lake committed to North Dakota. From Triton, Dylan Bungum is at Air Force and Adam Bungum is at Army. Matt Gratzek from Stephen-Argyle had a solid career at NDSU. However if you look at the majority of the BCS/FBS players, they do come from the metro area.

Regarding Rains post, I agree he does indeed like to run after contact. He also comes from arguably the second toughest conference in the state following the Lake, hence the reason is performance is more impressive.

 

[Cobra]

Rains sure isn't afraid of contact. Powerful runner!

Rains looks good, gots some moves, quick to hit the hole, dragging defenders around.

 

[tpbeight]

Rains looks good, gots some moves, quick to hit the hole, dragging defenders around.

Rains is an incredibly hard worker and works on football all year long. The only thing that may hold him back is his speed, but he's been working on that this off-season. Great talent. He's a fun back to watch. They used him sparingly at the beginning of last season, so look for even bigger numbers from him this year.

 

[gopherdiehard]

rains is a monster with some of them runs

 

[Bob_Loblaw]

Rains is an incredibly hard worker and works on football all year long. The only thing that may hold him back is his speed, but he's been working on that this off-season. Great talent. He's a fun back to watch. They used him sparingly at the beginning of last season, so look for even bigger numbers from him this year.

Yeah, he's a good RB. Speed is going to be tough for him because I think he's a long ways from being as fast as like a Rod Williams (I'm trying to think of other big bruiser HBs) or even the kid from Iowa. He seems like a natural runner and man is he a tough kid.

If he wants to play in the Big 10, I think he's going to have to become a good receiver and a good blocker. I think it's pretty hard to add much speed.