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Meet the 2017 Star Tribune Metro Preseason Dream Team

By Jim Paulsen, Star Tribune, 08/29/17, 5:45PM CDT

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This roster can be summed up in one word: Big.

Sum up the 2017 Star Tribune Metro Preseason Dream Team with one word: Big.

As in offensive linemen averaging 6-5 and 293 pounds. At receiver, St. Croix Lutheran’s Garett Maag and Buffalo’s Treyton Welch are 6-3 or taller. Every member of the defensive backfield tops 6 feet. In fact, only one member of the defense stands below that threshold.

 


Offensive Linemen

Bryce Benhart

Ht: 6-8 | Wt: 290 | School: Lakeville North |  Grade: 11 |  Position: OL

The size college scouts look for with the added bonus of a wrestling background. Overpowers opponents. Five FBS offers so far.

 

Jacob Smith

Ht: 6-6 | Wt: 319 | School: Rosemount |  Grade: 12 |  Position: OG

A mauler with tremendous size. Manhandles defensive linemen. Committed to BYU.

 

Quinn Carroll

Ht: 6-7 | Wt: 290 | School: Edina |  Grade: 11 |  Position: OT

Four-star recruit is the No. 8-ranked offensive tackle in the nation in the Class of 2019. Has offers from nearly all the top FBS programs.

 

Ronald Audette

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 310 | School: Elk River |  Grade: 12 |  Position: OL

Remarkably nimble for his size. The physical anchor to the Elks’ 2016 Class 5A championship team. Seven D-I offers so far.

 

Nathan Boe

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 265 | School: Lakeville North |  Grade: 12 |  Position: OL

A future Gopher who earned his scholarship offer through physical play and a relentless attitude.


Quarterback

Jackson Crawford

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 190 | School: Cretin-Derham Hall |  Grade: 12 |  Position: QB

Expect marked improvement from the second-year starter, who has all the physical tools and moves well to buy time. 


Running backs

Solo Falaniko

Ht: 5-8 | Wt: 205 | School: Eden Prairie |  Grade: 12 |  Position: RB

Exceptionally quick feet with the ability to explode through the smallest of holes. Rushed for more than 1,400 yards last year.

 

Sage Booker

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 185 | School: DeLaSalle |  Grade: 12 |  Position: RB

Naturally elusive with the ability to sidestep tacklers. Great broken-field runner rushed for 991 yards and 8 TDs in 2016.


Receivers

Garett Maag

Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 200 | School: St. Croix Lutheran |  Grade: 12 |  Position: WR

Heady and intelligent, with sneaky athleticism, exceptional hands and the size to makes catches over defenders. Committed to North Dakota.

 

Byron Bynum Jr.

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 180 | School: Blaine |  Grade: 12 |  Position: WR

Electric with the ball in his hands. A threat to score anytime he touches the ball. 928 yards receiving, 289 rushing, 12 TDs in 2016.

 

Treyton Welch

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 195 | School: Buffalo |  Grade: 11 |  Position: WR

Instinctive and strong. Uses his body well to shield defenders and boasts hands that routinely make Odell Beckham Jr.-type catches. Should flourish in Buffalo’s pass-happy offense.


Athlete

Mitch Kartes

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 185 | School: St. Michael-Albertville |  Grade: 12 |  Position: RB/FS

Four-year starter as free safety, three-years at running back. Physical and fast (school-record 10.97 in the 100 meter dash). Committed to North Dakota.


DEFENSive linemen

David Alston

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 225 | School: Woodbury |  Grade: 12 |  Position: DE

Considered the state’s top pass-rushing prospect. Comes hard off the edge, with a strong shoulder lean, but fast enough to chase down ball carriers.

 

Luke Kubesh

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 280 | School: Totino-Grace |  Grade: 11 |  Position: DT

The top interior line prospect for 2019. Wide base and low center of gravity make him difficult to move. Excels handling double-teams in one-technique.

 

Zach Whaley

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 285 | School: Prior Lake |  Grade: 12 |  Position: DT

Powerful at the point of attack with quick feet that allow him to penetrate. Agile for his size and can make plays up and down the line.


Linebackers

Antonio Montero

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 210 | School: Eden Prairie |  Grade: 12 |  Position: LB

Hard-nosed and relentless and hits with authority. Sets the edge well and rarely misses a tackle. Great at sniffing out plays. 85 tackles, 13 TFLs in 2016.

 

Ty Barron

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 200 | School: Minnetonka |  Grade: 12 |  Position: LB

Played inside and outside linebacker in 2016. Has a knack for blowing up plays in the backfield. Had 75 tackles, 13 TFL, 5.5 sacks in 2016. 

 

Jack Anderson

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 225 | School: Holy Angels |  Grade: 12 |  Position: LB

Lethal combination of size and speed, both at running back (1,058 yards, 15 TDs last year) and linebacker. Committed to Western Illinois.

 

Onte Burns

Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 185 | School: Robbinsdale Cooper |  Grade: 12 |  Position: LB

Undersized, but has the speed to shoot gaps and blow up plays in the backfield. At his best dropping into coverage. Committed to Montana State.


DEFENSive backs

Josh Aune

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 201 | School: St. Paul Highland Park |  Grade: 12 |  Position: DB

All-around athlete with sound football instincts and a nose for the ball. Excels in run support. Committed to Minnesota.

 

Benny Sapp III

Ht: 6-0 ½ | Wt: 185 | School: Eden Prairie |  Grade: 12 |  Position: DB

Two knee injuries have kept him from game action since moving to Minnesota. Plays fast and not afraid of contact. Minnesota-bound. 

 

Phoenix Sproles

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 175 | School: Robbinsdale Cooper |  Grade: 12 |  Position: DB

Terrific speed, which allows him to close on receivers. Also a receiver – the position he’ll play at North Dakota State – with the requisite ball-skills.

 

Mekhi Besseck

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 203 | School: Robbinsdale Armstrong |  Grade: 12 |  Position: DB

Prototypical size for a safety. Always around the ball and a sure tackler, with 92 total (72 solo) last year. Picked off four passes.


Special teams

Matthew Jaeger

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 170 | School: Robbinsdale Armstrong |  Grade: 12 |  Position: P/K

Strongest placekicking leg in the state. Made four of five FGs, 25 of 26 PATs last season. Averaged 44.5 yards per punt.


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