As with most years in Minnesota high school football, the state will churn out some top-notch prospects who are going to chase their dream of playing college football, and who knows, someday play in the NFL.
Using various sources, Let’s Play Football contributor Malik Mitchell, son of former NFL wide receiver Tywan Mitchell, put together a list of the state’s top prospects. They are in no necessary order, and chances are there are some darn good football players we are missing. But we think this is a good list, and an indication of what is to come this fall on the gridiron in Minnesota. As the season moves along we will highlight the state’s best players and of course best teams. Hop on board for what looks to be a fun ride this fall.
Kristen Hoskins, WR, Alexandria HS
Alexandria High School star wide receiver Kristen Hoskins is the top prospect wide receiver for the class of 2022 in the state. Hoskins is a speedy receiver who is very agile and can get to top speed in a blink of an eye. His style of play is similar to Tyreek Hill, Marquise Goodwin or Marquise Brown. He ran a 4.32 40 time at 5’10 and 166lbs. The three-star athlete was selected to play in the Minnesota high school All-State Team out of six other receivers. The Minnesota High School All- State Team is a team that is made up out of the top 53 players in the state.
Not only does he play football, but he also shines on the basketball court and on the track. During the previous basketball season Hoskins averaged 13 points per game. In track and field, he runs the 100 and 200-meter dash and the 4×100 relay. He had D1 football offers from University of South Dakota, Iowa State, North Dakota State University and Northern Iowa but chose to stay close to home and commit to the University of Minnesota. Last season, Hoskins was top 15 in receptions (40), receiving yards (630) and touchdowns (9). He also averaged 15.8 yards per reception and 78 yards per game. He showed his versatility in that he also had 140 yards and one touchdown for special teams and rushed for 49 yards and a touchdown.
So far, he has a total of 1,630 receiving yards 113 receptions and 20 touchdowns in his high school career. It is incredible how well Hoskins is performing on the field considering how late he started playing the game of football in the seventh grade which is much later than when most star athletes start playing.
“I started because I was a kid trying to get involved in sports, the thing that was fun when I first joined is how happy I was,” Hoskins said.
One of his favorite qualities he possesses is his positive mindset in everything he does. Hoskins finds it beneficial to believe he is the best, because then he performs to his best ability. When it comes to remembering Friday night lights, Hoskins has a lot of memories he will cherish forever.
“My biggest game moment was my first game on varsity as a freshman, but for sure my best high school play is me hurdling someone in game. I’ll never forget that feeling before walking out onto the field before the game,” Hoskins reminisced.
His biggest takeaway from high school football is how mental the game is. He also learned how to be a leader and was an easy player to coach. The most influential people in his life are his family and the team’s QB coach Zach Witt. He explains that Witt is not only more than a coach but also a role model that he looks up to heavily. His goal this year is to be the Gatorade Player of the Year in Minnesota. The Gatorade Player of the Year is the most outstanding high school student-athlete in the state. His plans for the future are to go to the University of Minnesota studying Psychology and learn as much as possible not just as an athlete, but as a student. “I’m a first generation so I want to make the best of it.”