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.
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.
Ht: 6-6 | Wt: 319 | School: Rosemount | Grade: 12 | Position: OG
A mauler with tremendous size. Manhandles defensive linemen. Committed to BYU.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tag(s): Featured Star Tribune Metro East Cretin-Derham Hall Woodbury South Lakeville North Rosemount North Central Blue Buffalo Elk River St. Michael-Albertville Suburban Red DeLaSalle Robbinsdale Armstrong Holy Angels Twin City City - Blue St. Paul Humboldt Suburban - Maroon St. Croix Lutheran North Blaine Totino-Grace West Eden Prairie Edina Minnetonka Prior Lake Blue