- Melrose: Any place that sends WR Blake “Bottled Lightning” Elliott, QB Tom Linnemann, WR Ben Sieben, DB Shawn Schoenberg, OL Jason Primus, and DL Brian Zirbes belongs at the top of this list. I don’t think anyone can say one school has sent more impact players to the Johnnies in recent years.
- Sartell: The local connection is strong here. Former All-American WR Adam Herbst, OG Josh Pantzke, DB Jason Pflipsen, DL Ryan Bielat, DL Matt Darling, and LB Jeff Schulte all hail from the St. Cloud suburb.
- St. Thomas Academy: The Cadets have been fertile recruiting grounds lately. RB Chris Moore, OL Brothers Chris and Andrew Salvato, and DB Andy Hover have all come north to Collegeville with great success.
- St. Cloud Cathedral: The Catholic boys are staying home in record numbers and the Johnnies are the beneficiaries. OG Dan Kosel, OG Brian Mathiasen, LB Ryan Wimmer, and OG Adam Schleper are among the notables.
- Eden Prairie: Former Johnnie TE Mike Grant must be saying the right things about St. John’s. He continues to send some of his fine players from multiple state championship teams to Collegeville including C Josh Dirlam, OG Justin Cass, DL Steve LeVoir, and OL Jason Brodmerkel.
- Mahtomedi: The Zephyrs have had lots of success at the high school level and the Johnnies have had some of the better players come wear the Red and White. Among them are DL Kevin McNamara, RB Mike Lofboom, and DB Kevin Boegel.
- Woodbury: Preseason All-American DL Nick Gunderson hails from Woodbury along with former Johnnie standout Kicker Joe Rotundi. Let’s hope that former Johnnie All-American LB, Beau LaBore, can start sending more elite players behind the Pine Curtain.
- Becker: Current Johnnie wrestling coach and linebacker coach, LB Brandon Novak, is a Bulldogs alum along with Mr. Versatility QB/TE Corey Stanger. John Gagliardi’s grandson is their QB this season.
- Rocori: Four year starter, QB Alex Kofoed, will probably go down among a long lineage of great quarterbacks at St. John’s. He could hold nearly all the records when it’s all said and done. P/K Zach Reif is among others who made the short trip to Collegeville.
- Totino-Grace: The Eagles have been winning state championships like they are easy. They are sending some of the great players to Collegeville including brothers OL Luke Schumacher and DL Mike Schumacher, DB Bobby Klint, and DB Dominic Haik.
Others Receiving Votes: Albany (Denne, Blackmore), Alexandria (Gearman, Luke), Brainerd (Zauhar, Gervais), Edina (McCambridge, Diley), Hastings (Wagner), Wayzata (Crees, Vanderheyden)
