This is part one of a recruiting update on the Minnesota unsigned seniors. Part two won’t be as big but will be coming in the days ahead. I’m also working on 2013/2014 kids both locally and nationally for Gopher Illustrated. I started with the local seniors because I’ve been asked through text/email/twitter about a lot of these kids for the past month.
Johnny Woodard of Duluth East continues to hear from Rich Majerus and Saint Louis on a regular basis and Dayton has started to show some interest in him. Outside of that there has not been any other new calls or interest in Johnny since his outstanding performances this month. I expect that to change soon. I do believe some schools are worried about grades but he’s working hard to get that improved.
Brady Wohler of Orono is hearing from Montana, Western Illinois, Cal Riverside, Cal Poly, Cal Irvine and MSU-Moorhead and St Cloud State have both offered. Brady is still wide open and plans to play the season out before making any decisions.
Ater Manyang of Rochester Century is very open right now. Nebraska-Omaha and Minnesota State-Mankato are showing the most interest. I’ve also heard that he may go juco. He wants to play at the highest level possible according to Coach Ohm.
Thomas Sjoberg of St Thomas has not decided on a college. He is being looked at everywhere from the NSIC to the Ivy's. St. Cloud State has offered, Thomas loves U of St. Thomas, and he qualifies academically for the Ivy's. Thomas is averaging 19 points and 10 rebounds per game.
Taylor Stafford of Duluth East has St. Thomas, Concordia-St. Paul, Augsburg, St. Cloud State, and Winona State following him. Some believe he should be a D1 prospect but at this point there haven’t been any D1 callers.
Bemidji State is one of the teams showing interest in St. Cloud Tech shooting forward Kevin Heysse who is 6-foot-6. St John's and Eau Claire are also following him on a regular basis. Both have come to numerous games and are in contact with him frequently. Carleton came to some games over Christmas. Kevin has applied and been accepted at both Eau Claire and St John's. He was also accepted at Carlson School of Business at the U of M to just go to school. He is averaging 14.4 pts 6.8 rbs, 4.5 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks a game.
Austin Pohlen of Grand Rapids skipped AAU this spring/summer to focus on football as a QB. UMD wants to offer him for football but the rest of the teams looking at him want him to play DB. So he is re thinking basketball where he is very talented. Right now Southwest Minnesota State, Bemidji State, and UM-Crookston are trying to get Austin.
Joe Burt of St. Cloud Cathedral is wanted by Bemidji State badly. They show up to a lot of his games and he was back on their campus last Friday. They will stick it out to try and get him. Lots of jucos are hoping he wants to play a year there so they are looking at him too. Williston State is one of those. Joe is academically solid so a juco year would be just another chance to show what he can do.
The schools with the most recent interest in Shea Mandli are University of Mary, St. Cloud State, and Concordia Univ. of St. Paul. All three of those schools have been at multiple games. He is still undecided as to next year. Shea currently leads his team in rebounds blocks and is three tenths of a point behind in leading scoring also.
Sean Scott of Spring Lake Park has received calls and emails from Concordia-St. Paul, Winona State and Bemidji State. Concordia-SP watched him against Eastview. Waldorf is also in regular contact. Sean is also looking at a lot of junior colleges because academics may possibly limit him to going to a juco. Hutchinson in Kansas and Rochester CC are two schools that have reached out.
Mitch Kuck of Centennial has had Northern State following him and he has visited the school. St. John's has attended numerous Centennial games to see Mitch. An assistant from Concordia/St. Paul and St. Cloud State have seen a game and visited with Coach Mortenson. Bemidji State and the U of Mary sent letters. Mitch wants to play in the NSIC.
Jack Harrison of Prior Lake continues to be recruited by Bemidji State plus Jamestown watched him last night.
Drew Osmundson of Owatonna is averaging about 19 points and 5 assists per game but is suffering from a lower back injury. Hamline, St. Olaf, Gustavus, Bethany, and Coe (IA) have been following him plus Southwest MN State came to see him last night. The Mustangs have been showing more interest as of late. Bemidji State has requested film of Drew. He had 29 points last night with the Mustangs watching.
Carnell Sheppard of Minneapolis South is hearing from Sioux Falls College, St. Thomas University, Gillette JC, and Mary College. Gillette has offered him a scholarship. Sioux Falls has come to a practice recently. Carnell wants to go to a four year school.
Sander Mohn of Eden Prairie is hearing from everyone in the MIAC Conference plus some D2s are showing some interest. Sander wants to go to a business school and is looking out east at D3 programs where he could play basketball as well as a few D1 walk-on possibilities.
Luke Halbakken of Pelican Rapids has Fergus Falls Community College, Concordia-Moorhead, Bethel, Northern State, St. Scholastica, and Central Lakes Community College following him. MN State-Moorhead, Fergus Falls and Concordia-Moorhead have been at recent games. Luke is ten points from a 1,000 for his career and is averaging 17 points and nine rebounds per game.
Justin Pahl of East Ridge is currently leaving all his options open until the end of the basketball season. U of St. Thomas, St. Olaf, St. John’s, Hamline, UW-River Falls, Concordia-St. Paul, Carelton, Navy, Bemidji State, and Valley City-SD are looking at him. St. Thomas, St. Olaf, St. John’s, Hamline, UW-River Falls, Concordia-St. Paul, and Carelton are the teams that have been at recent games. Pahl is leading the Suburban East Conference in points. He hit the 1000 point mark during an away game against Forest Lake last week.
Kyle Kilgore of Adrian is receiving interest from Northeast College of Norfolk (NB), Northern State, UW-Plattesville, NDSCS, Minnesota West CC, Worthington CC. All of the schools have watched him play. He is averaging 25 points and 12 rebounds a game. Leading team in points, blocks, rebounds, assists, and steals. Broke the school scoring record with 40 points in a game.
Mike Spoden of Grand Rapids has had a lot of interest from many of the division three schools in Minnesota. In addition, Bemidji State has shown interest and Hawaii Pacific some as well. Concordia (Moorhead), St Johns, St. Scholastica, Jamestown, and Wisconsin-Superior have all attended games.
Brody Zeigler of Mankato East is hearing from Gustavus, St. Johns and most of the MIAC overall but those two schools are at most of the games. Brody is scoring 17 a game with seven and a half rebounds per night.
Brett Rasmussen of Lakeville North is hearing from Bethel, Augsburg, UW-River Fall, Clarke College and St. Johns. Bethel and Augsburg are commonly at games. Brett recently went to watch UW-River Falls play.
Ryan Saarela of Lakeville North is hearing from UW-Eau Claire, St. Thomas, St. Marys, St. Johnson, St. Olaf, and UW-River Falls. UW-Eau Claire, St. Thomas, St. St. Johns, and St. Olaf are commonly at games.
Andrew Turnblad of Minnetonka is hearing from Bethel, Carleton, John Hopkins out east, University of Rochester-NY, and Whitworth. Turnblad go to a school with high level academics and want to play basketball as well. St. Olaf’s head coach watched him last night for the third time this year. Andrew is just short of averaging ten rebounds a contest.
Latrell Love of Minnetonka was just offered by Valley City State. He’s had St. Marys at every game this year plus Hamline and Augsburg are quite interested. Latrell is scoring 16 points a game.
Joe Risinger of Minnetonka was offered by Valley City State. He’s also hearing from St. Cloud State, Concordia-St Paul, UW-Eau Claire, Hamline, Augsburg, Bethel, St. Thomas, and St. Olaf. Joe is scoring a dozen points a game and hitting nearly half of his three point attempts.
Riley Aeikens of MACCRAY has Augsburg, Hamline, Concordia-Moorhead, St. Olaf, Northwestern (MN), U of M Morris, Mankato Bethany and Southwest MN State following him closely. Six of those schools watched him last Friday night in the win over Dawson-Boyd. Riley is 6-foot-6 as a shooter and recently scored 31 against Dawson-Boyd, 32 against Worthington.
Jett Leaf of HLWW is hearing from several junior colleges like Rochester CC and Central CC plus St. Cloud State talked to his coach after a holiday tournament game.
Darin Haugh of Eastview is hearing from St. Johns, Valley City, Bethel, UW-Platteville, and Clarke College (IA). Haugh has had an outstanding year running the point for the number one team in Minnesota controlling the game with his leadership and point and harassing ball pressure.
Tommy McDermott of Minnetonka is hearing mostly from UW-Platteville.
Marc Schumacher, Jordan Bruhn and Jordan Cresap are all being recruited by many MIAC schools. They all have been contacted by Bethel, St. Thomas, St. Johns, Concordia Moorhead, Morris and several junior colleges. Every Perham game has had multiple college coaches. Schumacher could be a D2 kid if he keeps showing progress while Bruhn and Cresap are likely D3 players.
Connor Goodwin of BBE has committed to Wisconsin-Superior. UW-River Falls, Jamestown, and St.Johns were in the mix before the choice was made.
Jameson Collin of Southwest Star Concept has recently committed to UW-Platevillle. He is averaging 20.7 points and 13.7 rebounds per game.
Blaine wing Josh Limberg is being watched by Wisconsin River Falls and Augsburg in recent games. Both schools are trying to get him to campus.
Ian Reid-Hathaway has had Carelton watching him. Ian plays for Rochester Mayo and is scoring 15 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. He is most interested some schools where he would not play basketball such as Stanford.
Grant Pope of Waterville-Elysian-Morristown is being recruited by the southern MIAC schools like Gustavus, St. Olaf, St. Marys etc. He is also being looked at by several WIAC schools. Grant has just had recent contact with Augustana College. He wants to play anywhere in the NSIC. Grant is close to setting the all time record for steals in Minnesota history.
Caleb Janson of Pierz is getting the most interest from Northwester-Roseville, Bethel, and UW Eau Claire. UM-Morris has also shown some interest as well as a bunch of junior colleges. Northwestern, Bethel, and Eau Claire have all attended a bunch of games. Caleb is currently undecided of where he wants to go. He's kind of waiting to see all of his options. Caleb is currently averaging around 16 points and 15 rebounds per game. He recently broke the career rebounding record at Pierz.
Blaine wing Alex Cappard is exploring junior college options.
Blaine shooter Tanner Schumacher signed a letter of intent to play baseball at NDSU.
Griffin Reed of Kasson-Mantorville is hearing from several MIAC schools.
A football injury to his knee left Jake Hodge without a basketball season. He is hearing from MIAC and NSIC schools about playing football and basketball.
Nick Dostal of Bader-GreenBush-Middle River broke his leg in football and isn’t playing basketball this winter. As a result he’s likely headed to Northland Community and Technical College. (Thief River Falls MN).
Josh Tismer and Zach Meyer are going to play college football. They are White Bear Lake kids.
This post was edited on 1/18 1:48 PM by Ryan James
Johnny Woodard of Duluth East continues to hear from Rich Majerus and Saint Louis on a regular basis and Dayton has started to show some interest in him. Outside of that there has not been any other new calls or interest in Johnny since his outstanding performances this month. I expect that to change soon. I do believe some schools are worried about grades but he’s working hard to get that improved.
Brady Wohler of Orono is hearing from Montana, Western Illinois, Cal Riverside, Cal Poly, Cal Irvine and MSU-Moorhead and St Cloud State have both offered. Brady is still wide open and plans to play the season out before making any decisions.
Ater Manyang of Rochester Century is very open right now. Nebraska-Omaha and Minnesota State-Mankato are showing the most interest. I’ve also heard that he may go juco. He wants to play at the highest level possible according to Coach Ohm.
Thomas Sjoberg of St Thomas has not decided on a college. He is being looked at everywhere from the NSIC to the Ivy's. St. Cloud State has offered, Thomas loves U of St. Thomas, and he qualifies academically for the Ivy's. Thomas is averaging 19 points and 10 rebounds per game.
Taylor Stafford of Duluth East has St. Thomas, Concordia-St. Paul, Augsburg, St. Cloud State, and Winona State following him. Some believe he should be a D1 prospect but at this point there haven’t been any D1 callers.
Bemidji State is one of the teams showing interest in St. Cloud Tech shooting forward Kevin Heysse who is 6-foot-6. St John's and Eau Claire are also following him on a regular basis. Both have come to numerous games and are in contact with him frequently. Carleton came to some games over Christmas. Kevin has applied and been accepted at both Eau Claire and St John's. He was also accepted at Carlson School of Business at the U of M to just go to school. He is averaging 14.4 pts 6.8 rbs, 4.5 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks a game.
Austin Pohlen of Grand Rapids skipped AAU this spring/summer to focus on football as a QB. UMD wants to offer him for football but the rest of the teams looking at him want him to play DB. So he is re thinking basketball where he is very talented. Right now Southwest Minnesota State, Bemidji State, and UM-Crookston are trying to get Austin.
Joe Burt of St. Cloud Cathedral is wanted by Bemidji State badly. They show up to a lot of his games and he was back on their campus last Friday. They will stick it out to try and get him. Lots of jucos are hoping he wants to play a year there so they are looking at him too. Williston State is one of those. Joe is academically solid so a juco year would be just another chance to show what he can do.
The schools with the most recent interest in Shea Mandli are University of Mary, St. Cloud State, and Concordia Univ. of St. Paul. All three of those schools have been at multiple games. He is still undecided as to next year. Shea currently leads his team in rebounds blocks and is three tenths of a point behind in leading scoring also.
Sean Scott of Spring Lake Park has received calls and emails from Concordia-St. Paul, Winona State and Bemidji State. Concordia-SP watched him against Eastview. Waldorf is also in regular contact. Sean is also looking at a lot of junior colleges because academics may possibly limit him to going to a juco. Hutchinson in Kansas and Rochester CC are two schools that have reached out.
Mitch Kuck of Centennial has had Northern State following him and he has visited the school. St. John's has attended numerous Centennial games to see Mitch. An assistant from Concordia/St. Paul and St. Cloud State have seen a game and visited with Coach Mortenson. Bemidji State and the U of Mary sent letters. Mitch wants to play in the NSIC.
Jack Harrison of Prior Lake continues to be recruited by Bemidji State plus Jamestown watched him last night.
Drew Osmundson of Owatonna is averaging about 19 points and 5 assists per game but is suffering from a lower back injury. Hamline, St. Olaf, Gustavus, Bethany, and Coe (IA) have been following him plus Southwest MN State came to see him last night. The Mustangs have been showing more interest as of late. Bemidji State has requested film of Drew. He had 29 points last night with the Mustangs watching.
Carnell Sheppard of Minneapolis South is hearing from Sioux Falls College, St. Thomas University, Gillette JC, and Mary College. Gillette has offered him a scholarship. Sioux Falls has come to a practice recently. Carnell wants to go to a four year school.
Sander Mohn of Eden Prairie is hearing from everyone in the MIAC Conference plus some D2s are showing some interest. Sander wants to go to a business school and is looking out east at D3 programs where he could play basketball as well as a few D1 walk-on possibilities.
Luke Halbakken of Pelican Rapids has Fergus Falls Community College, Concordia-Moorhead, Bethel, Northern State, St. Scholastica, and Central Lakes Community College following him. MN State-Moorhead, Fergus Falls and Concordia-Moorhead have been at recent games. Luke is ten points from a 1,000 for his career and is averaging 17 points and nine rebounds per game.
Justin Pahl of East Ridge is currently leaving all his options open until the end of the basketball season. U of St. Thomas, St. Olaf, St. John’s, Hamline, UW-River Falls, Concordia-St. Paul, Carelton, Navy, Bemidji State, and Valley City-SD are looking at him. St. Thomas, St. Olaf, St. John’s, Hamline, UW-River Falls, Concordia-St. Paul, and Carelton are the teams that have been at recent games. Pahl is leading the Suburban East Conference in points. He hit the 1000 point mark during an away game against Forest Lake last week.
Kyle Kilgore of Adrian is receiving interest from Northeast College of Norfolk (NB), Northern State, UW-Plattesville, NDSCS, Minnesota West CC, Worthington CC. All of the schools have watched him play. He is averaging 25 points and 12 rebounds a game. Leading team in points, blocks, rebounds, assists, and steals. Broke the school scoring record with 40 points in a game.
Mike Spoden of Grand Rapids has had a lot of interest from many of the division three schools in Minnesota. In addition, Bemidji State has shown interest and Hawaii Pacific some as well. Concordia (Moorhead), St Johns, St. Scholastica, Jamestown, and Wisconsin-Superior have all attended games.
Brody Zeigler of Mankato East is hearing from Gustavus, St. Johns and most of the MIAC overall but those two schools are at most of the games. Brody is scoring 17 a game with seven and a half rebounds per night.
Brett Rasmussen of Lakeville North is hearing from Bethel, Augsburg, UW-River Fall, Clarke College and St. Johns. Bethel and Augsburg are commonly at games. Brett recently went to watch UW-River Falls play.
Ryan Saarela of Lakeville North is hearing from UW-Eau Claire, St. Thomas, St. Marys, St. Johnson, St. Olaf, and UW-River Falls. UW-Eau Claire, St. Thomas, St. St. Johns, and St. Olaf are commonly at games.
Andrew Turnblad of Minnetonka is hearing from Bethel, Carleton, John Hopkins out east, University of Rochester-NY, and Whitworth. Turnblad go to a school with high level academics and want to play basketball as well. St. Olaf’s head coach watched him last night for the third time this year. Andrew is just short of averaging ten rebounds a contest.
Latrell Love of Minnetonka was just offered by Valley City State. He’s had St. Marys at every game this year plus Hamline and Augsburg are quite interested. Latrell is scoring 16 points a game.
Joe Risinger of Minnetonka was offered by Valley City State. He’s also hearing from St. Cloud State, Concordia-St Paul, UW-Eau Claire, Hamline, Augsburg, Bethel, St. Thomas, and St. Olaf. Joe is scoring a dozen points a game and hitting nearly half of his three point attempts.
Riley Aeikens of MACCRAY has Augsburg, Hamline, Concordia-Moorhead, St. Olaf, Northwestern (MN), U of M Morris, Mankato Bethany and Southwest MN State following him closely. Six of those schools watched him last Friday night in the win over Dawson-Boyd. Riley is 6-foot-6 as a shooter and recently scored 31 against Dawson-Boyd, 32 against Worthington.
Jett Leaf of HLWW is hearing from several junior colleges like Rochester CC and Central CC plus St. Cloud State talked to his coach after a holiday tournament game.
Darin Haugh of Eastview is hearing from St. Johns, Valley City, Bethel, UW-Platteville, and Clarke College (IA). Haugh has had an outstanding year running the point for the number one team in Minnesota controlling the game with his leadership and point and harassing ball pressure.
Tommy McDermott of Minnetonka is hearing mostly from UW-Platteville.
Marc Schumacher, Jordan Bruhn and Jordan Cresap are all being recruited by many MIAC schools. They all have been contacted by Bethel, St. Thomas, St. Johns, Concordia Moorhead, Morris and several junior colleges. Every Perham game has had multiple college coaches. Schumacher could be a D2 kid if he keeps showing progress while Bruhn and Cresap are likely D3 players.
Connor Goodwin of BBE has committed to Wisconsin-Superior. UW-River Falls, Jamestown, and St.Johns were in the mix before the choice was made.
Jameson Collin of Southwest Star Concept has recently committed to UW-Platevillle. He is averaging 20.7 points and 13.7 rebounds per game.
Blaine wing Josh Limberg is being watched by Wisconsin River Falls and Augsburg in recent games. Both schools are trying to get him to campus.
Ian Reid-Hathaway has had Carelton watching him. Ian plays for Rochester Mayo and is scoring 15 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. He is most interested some schools where he would not play basketball such as Stanford.
Grant Pope of Waterville-Elysian-Morristown is being recruited by the southern MIAC schools like Gustavus, St. Olaf, St. Marys etc. He is also being looked at by several WIAC schools. Grant has just had recent contact with Augustana College. He wants to play anywhere in the NSIC. Grant is close to setting the all time record for steals in Minnesota history.
Caleb Janson of Pierz is getting the most interest from Northwester-Roseville, Bethel, and UW Eau Claire. UM-Morris has also shown some interest as well as a bunch of junior colleges. Northwestern, Bethel, and Eau Claire have all attended a bunch of games. Caleb is currently undecided of where he wants to go. He's kind of waiting to see all of his options. Caleb is currently averaging around 16 points and 15 rebounds per game. He recently broke the career rebounding record at Pierz.
Blaine wing Alex Cappard is exploring junior college options.
Blaine shooter Tanner Schumacher signed a letter of intent to play baseball at NDSU.
Griffin Reed of Kasson-Mantorville is hearing from several MIAC schools.
A football injury to his knee left Jake Hodge without a basketball season. He is hearing from MIAC and NSIC schools about playing football and basketball.
Nick Dostal of Bader-GreenBush-Middle River broke his leg in football and isn’t playing basketball this winter. As a result he’s likely headed to Northland Community and Technical College. (Thief River Falls MN).
Josh Tismer and Zach Meyer are going to play college football. They are White Bear Lake kids.
This post was edited on 1/18 1:48 PM by Ryan James
