The Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders have been a 5A staple for a long time, reaching such peaks as the state tournament on multiple occasions. Last year they won another bid to the big show, finishing the season 7-4 with arguably the most electric passing offense in the state, averaging over 300 passing yards a game.
While they did graduate a lot of talent, they return some absolute DOGS, and the caliber of players they have on their 2026 roster makes me think that they could absolutely make another deep postseason run. Touting some highly-ranked athletes across a variety of positions, and boasting one of the most effective offenses in 5A year after year, we could be seeing a lot of good out of this Raiders squad.
While the focal point of the team is usually the eye-popping offensive production, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how elite this defense looks. With some of the highest-rated prospects in the Midwest holding down the front 7, Cretin looks like a monster test for any 5A squad.
They kick the season off with a very important test against perennial state contender St. Thomas Academy; they then have a 5-game stretch that many expect will be full of favorable matchups. However, the final two games of the season see the Raiders travel to play the always dangerous Mahtomedi Zephyrs, and then they host arguably the toughest challenge in their class in the perennial state championship contenders, the Elk River Elks. That tough two-game stretch going into the playoffs should ideally only sharpen CDH, preparing them for some of the hyper-competitive matchups that usually come deep into the postseason.
Without further ado, meet some of the 2026 Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders!
2026 Schedule:
Week 1: @ St Thomas Academy
Week 2: @ St Paul Central
Week 3: Vs Bloomington Jefferson
Week 4: @ St. Louis Park
Week 5: Vs Tartan
Week 6: Vs Bloomington Kennedy
Week 7: @ Mahtomedi
Week 8: Vs Elk River
Section Teams:
Cretin-Derham Hall – Reigning Champs
Mahtomedi – 2025 Runner-Ups
St. Paul Highland Park – 2025 Semi-Finalists
Tartan – 2025 Semi-Finalists
St. Paul Central – 2025 Quarter-Finalists
Harding – 2025 Quarter-Finalists
The Athletes:
DB: Amari Muhammad, 5’9”, 175 lbs, 2027
One of the higher-rated DBs in his class, Amari Muhammad has amassed a great deal of recruiting attention this offseason, snagging an offer from D3 WIAC powerhouse UW-Eau Claire, and several junior day invites from D2, FCS, and FBS schools across the Midwest. If you dive into what he offers, it isn’t hard to sniff out why he’s becoming so popular. He had an incredibly productive junior season, starting all 11 games as a DB for the Raiders, seeing time as a corner, safety, and as a nickelback. Across those games, he amassed 57 total tackles and an interception. I really liked a lot of what he offered on his tape as well. Muhammad is a legit athlete and has a fantastic game sense. He’s exceptionally quick and boasts really fast hips, allowing him to provide blanket man coverage and make a QB’s job noticeably more difficult. His physicality and use of hands to create pass breakups is also indicative of a high-level prospect. His tape reads like that of a senior balling before a big offer, and he’s still got a whole season left to further raise his stock. Muhammad should be a real problem for wideouts next season.
EDGE: Clarence “CJ” Johnson Jr, 6’3, 225 lbs, 2027
When discussing the most imposing athletes on the Raiders roster this fall, the conversation often starts and ends with CJ Johnson. The consensus 3-Star recruit and Kansas Jayhawks commit held 13 offers, including one from the reigning national champs in the Indiana Hoosiers and the reigning national runners-up in the Miami Hurricanes. If I could use one term to describe Johnson, it would be game-breaker. This kid is a monster on the turf. He didn’t have crazy production stat-wise last year, bringing down 36 total tackles and 3 TFLs, but the pressure he was able to constantly put on the offense, and the amount of time he completely broke down a play, easily validate all of the hype he’s earned over the last year. He’s a monster coming off the edge. Far faster and more athletic than any OT he plays, he can breeze past them or bowl them over, and the effect is the same – a broken play. He’s not just an edge rusher though; Johnson has legit utility in coverage. His long arms mean he can bat down any number of passes, both in a short flat zone coverage and while rushing the passer. The speed and ferocity he plays with is freaky. Coaches would be wise to scheme their blocking assignments around where he lines up every week. He starts his senior season as an easy Mr. Minnesota Football candidate, and might be the biggest name to watch in the state this fall.
DB: Charlie Bartsh, 5’11”, 170 lbs, 2027
Another returning starter in the Raiders’ secondary coming back for his senior campaign, Bartsh has gone tragically underrecruited this cycle, which is wild because he put up some wild numbers last fall. He finished with 62 total tackles and 2 TFLs in 11 games, a sick stat line from the safety. The first thing that pops to me on his film is how great Bartsh’s instincts are. He does a great job of sniffing out run plays, and he takes extremely optimal pursuit angles, often stopping the ball carrier for a minimal gain, if any, despite starting the play 11+ yards deep in the secondary. His closing speed is sick too; there’s a switch he’s able to flip, and it allows him to minimize the gain any ball carrier or receiver is getting on a play. When in pass coverage, Bartsh does an excellent job of reading the QB’s eyes. He frequently punishes lazy passes to the flats, and fires like a missile out of the top of his break once he gets his read on the ball. His physicality when attacking the ball carrier is great too; if he’s not able to break up the pass, he’s gonna really test if you can hold onto the ball. That’s not to say his pass coverage isn’t solid, though; Bartsh does a good job of turning back and making plays on the ball while being attached to a wideout’s hips downfield. Expect him to return to his menacing ways this fall.
DB: Cartier Russell Jr, 6’, 180 lbs, 2027
Frequently rated among the top 10 DBs in the state, 2026 team captain Cartier Russell Jr holds a couple of impressive offers from schools like Minnesota State Mankato, Augustana, Minnesota Duluth, South Dakota (FCS), and UNI (FCS). He put up solid numbers during his junior campaign, finishing with 31 total tackles and an interception, as well as some sick numbers as a kick returner. His 2025 tape is full of big-time plays in big moments. His timing and tight coverage are nearly unrivaled among DBs in the state, while his legit size and athleticism round out what schools across the board look for in long-term starters. He’s not just a coverage corner; however, Russell can have a serious impact in the run game and isn’t afraid to lay the wood when a ball carrier encounters him in open space. He’s even got a handful of plays on his tape where he makes drive-saving tackles on a running back after hawking him down from crossfield. Throwing in his general direction is usually a bad idea and a futile attempt. He didn’t allow a completion in man coverage until week 11 last season, and arguably more impressively, blocked 4 FGs/PATs last year. This Raiders secondary is shaping up to be one of the best in the state, not just 5A.
DB: Bilal Shahid, 5’11”, 185 lbs, 2027
Another returning DB for the Raiders, Shahid currently holds a D3 offer from WIAC member UW-Eau Claire, and there’s a real chance that there are many more to follow after this season. He finished 2025 with 29 total tackles in 9 games, a statline that I am confident he will improve on this fall. There are a handful of things that popped quickly to me on his tape, the first being how zone-loyal he is, even with plentiful distractions to lure him out. There’s a reverse play early on that I’ve seen many a corner bite on before, but Shahid did a great job of staying home, and the second that he read it was a reverse, he came crashing down like a bat out of hell to light up the ball carrier for a minimal gain. The second thing that popped was his physicality. Often corners do not want to engage in the run game, but Shahid looks like he delights in the opportunity to collision someone. He tackles low and hard, almost always hitting the hip or lower and finishing through the ball carrier. At his best, Shahid can be a lockdown corner as well, and in particular does a great job of closing off intermediate routes. I’m excited to see what he can produce during his senior campaign.
WR/TE: Owen Welk, 6’5’, 190 lbs, 2027
Welk is easily one of the most physically impressive wideouts in the state. The 2026 team captain is easily among the top 10 wideouts in the Minnesota class of 2027, and already holds an offer from FCS school St. Thomas right at home in St. Paul. He put up some crazy numbers last year, finishing the season with 736 receiving yards, 35 receptions, and 7 TDs. If you do that quick math, that means he’s averaging a stunning 21.0 yards-per-catch, a feat few receivers can match. Some of his best moments came during the biggest games last season, including a 114-yard game in the state tournament last season against Chanhassen. As you might expect by thumbing through his stats, Welk is a legit deep threat. He’s got the speed to separate from corners, and the frame to go up and get passes thrown anywhere in the same area code. Even if he can’t separate, he’ll simply just come down with the ball. Leaving him on an island with a DB is almost always a massive mistake for defenses. His catch radius is outrageous, and I was really impressed with how smooth he moved in open space. Sometimes lankier prospects will struggle with speed and agility, but Welk can make defenders miss with a quick hesi, and then turn on the jets and gash the defense for a crazy chunk play. A backshoulder fade or a go route to Welk, is almost a cheat code. He’s excellent at testing a team’s top DB, and almost always he’s the winner of that competition. Expect Welk to thrive again in that pass-heavy Raiders offense. It wouldn’t shock me if we see a clip of him on Kare 11 this fall.
DB: Nick Rosga, 5’8”, 175 lbs, 2027
Another returning DB, Rosga boasts 2 years of varsity experience heading into his final season with the Raiders. He currently holds 3 offers from MIAC members Augsburg, St. John’s, and St. Olaf. He finished his junior campaign with 24 tackles and 4 TFLs in the 11-game season CDH played last fall. He’s got tape at a variety of positions, ranging from corner to box safety, to lining up deep as a true SS. Like many of his teammates, Rosga boasts clean instincts. He does a great job of playing downhill, often wreaking havoc once he bursts through the second level of the defense. Rosga does a great job of tackling in the open field, attacking the fold point of the ball carrier and doing a nice job of wrapping up. He’s got a great nose for the ball, especially in the run game. He fights hard to get off blocks, and the effort he gives on every play is both noticeable and admirable. Rosga’s veteran presence in the secondary should be very valuable to that Raiders defense this fall, and he’d make a fine addition to many collegiate defenses.
LB: Elias Brasel, 6’2”, 210 lbs, 2027
One of the most prolific defenders on Cretin’s defense last season and a team captain in 2026, Brasel is commonly thought of as one of the better LBs in the state, and for good reason. He finished 2025 with 63 total tackles and 5 TFLs, and is on the verge of earning his first big-time offer. Touting both some insane weight room numbers and some great tape, Brasel is going to be a key leader on the Raiders’ defense this fall. On that tape, Brasel showcases some serious hit-stick power. This kid is a thumper. He plays downhill like a cowboy collar linebacker of yesteryear, and makes both ball carriers and receivers pay by lighting them up as soon as he gets the opportunity. Brasel does a great job of filling his gap and scraping to the alley in pursuit of ball carriers. He’s also got a ton of utility when blitzing. He fires out like a madman, and even if he doesn’t get the sack, he pressures the QB into making a bad throw or forces him to throw it away. The way he works off lead blockers is common among high-level MLBs, and he isn’t afraid to collision offensive linemen that come up to the second level. I’m expecting Brasel to have a monster senior season come September.
OL: Eli Sundsmo, 6’2”, 275 lbs, 2027
A Concordia-St.Paul commit and a 2026 team captain, Sundsmo has had a solid offseason on the camp circuit and put forth some great junior tape as the Raiders center from last fall. On that tape, it’s clear that Sundsmo has a high football IQ. He reliably picks up the most dangerous man on interior linebacker blitzes and typically does a great job of playing with a very low pad level. He gets under linebackers and defensive linemen alike, locks on, and completely stalls any pass rush they were attempting. When double-teaming a defensive tackle, Sundsmo stays low and attacks low, and has a couple of plays on film of him folding them while finding work on a pass block. When he’s run blocking, Sundsmo’s feet rarely stop moving. His short, choppy steps allow him to drive DTs to the second level of play, and he makes it look easy. His leadership and experience up front should be key in leading a relatively young offensive line this season.
TE/DE: De’Mandre Frierson-Hollie, 6’5” 230, 2027
De’Mandre Frierson-Hollie just might be one of my favorite prospects in the state. He’s without a doubt a Top-25 prospect, and the recent North Dakota commit put up both stunning numbers and tape as a junior with the Raiders. He finished 2025 with a team high 1025 receiving yards on 61 receptions while finding the end zone 12 times in 11 games. He also tallied 7 tackles on defense, but impressively, 5 of them were TFLs. Simply put, his tape is electric. This kid was a human highlight reel last season. 99% of the time he’s bigger, faster, and more agile than the DB’s he’s lining up against, and it shows. He’s what I would consider a “must bracket” athlete. If left 1-on-1, there are sure to be devastating consequences in the near future. He’s not just a big-body possession catch receiver, however. Frierson-Hollie has legit upside as a YAC threat. Tackling him in the open field is nothing short of a Herculean feat. He rocks a mean stiff arm, while being big and strong enough to simply run a man over if he feels like it. He’s got a couple of clean releases off the line, and paired with surprisingly fast straight-line speed, he becomes a massive threat. Truthfully, there are minimal weaknesses in his receiving game. There isn’t a ton of tape of him used in blocking situations, but I would attribute that to being more of a symptom of the offense he plays in. I don’t think it’s crazy to say that we could see Frierson-Hollie finish top 5 in the state in receiving yards this fall.
WR: Shaheed Suggs, 5’9”, 155 lbs, 2028
While he didn’t make a massive impact on varsity last season, Suggs is presumed to be a key starter this fall. He had one rush for 19 yards last season, and 3 receptions for 44 yards with a TD. He already holds a Bemidji State offer from a crazy camp performance this fall, and is widely thought of as not only one of the best wideouts in the class of 2028, but one of the best MN prospects from the class of 2028 as a whole. He doesn’t have a ton of film out, but I can tell you from watching this kid compete in person over the years that his speed is LEGIT. He’s been clocked at a 4.49 laser 40 and also boasts a 4.36 pro agility. His speed and general athleticism will lend themselves well if he slides into a slot receiver role, and I think that’s a real possibility heading into 2026. Keep an eye out for this junior.
LB: Mateo Verdeja, 6’, 210 lbs, 2028
Verdeja is a junior LB who I expect to take a big leap forward in 2026. He played a key role in the Raiders’ defensive success as a sophomore, finishing the season with 28 total tackles and a TFL. A handful of things stood out to me on his tape, and the first thing is the amount of patience he plays with; it shocked me, especially since he’s a younger athlete. Verdeja doesn’t rush the play or overextend himself. Instead, he stalks the ball carrier, carefully erasing cutback lanes while he makes a big-time tackle. He moves really well for his size. Rarely do you see younger prospects with his frame maintain that level of explosiveness, but Verdeja is capable of bursting through the line on a blitz and blowing up the play in an instant. He’s really crafty when it comes to avoiding lead blockers and offensive linemen as well. He’s slick and doesn’t get caught up in the wash. I think this might be a breakout season for Verdeja.
OL: Landon Johnson, 6’, 270 lbs, 2028
A 10-game starter as a sophomore in the offensive trenches for the Raiders last season, Johnson played his heart out and ended his first varsity season without allowing a sack. His recruiting has gone weirdly under-the-radar thus far, but I think with a big junior campaign we’ll see that shift dramatically. On his 2025 tape, Johnson shows off some physicality that I love to see. The young offensive lineman is a menace when he’s pulling. There are bunches of plays where he absolutely teakettles some poor unsuspecting defensive end, clearing the way for a massive rush downfield. He does an excellent job of finding work whatever the situation is. He’s got no problem working to the second or even third level and absolutely flattening linebackers or DBs. His sense of leverage impresses me as well. You would think Johnson is a high-level wrestler with the way he’s able to manipulate the path and balance of defensive linemen. He’s a violent finisher too, showing no issues with driving defenders into the turf. His tape at both tackle and guard really adds to his stock as a prospect. I really like Johnson’s upside going into 2026.
OL/DL: Johnny Kane, 6’2”, 275 lbs, 2028
Another sophomore who got serious starting minutes on the Raiders offensive line, Kane returns after making a massive impact in the trenches, to the point where he’s commonly ranked around a Top-100 prospect in the class of 2028. He’s starting to get collegiate attention from schools at all levels, and it’s clear to me why. On his 2025 tape, the guard shows off some sick physicality and really contributed to the run game success that the Raiders had last season. He’s got traits of being a future mauler in the run game. Kane possesses a legit mean streak and doesn’t stop moving his feet upon contact. He does something fantastic that young linemen struggle with all too often: Kane blocks to the whistle. He’ll light up linebackers and continue to find more work at the second level, something I’m sure coaches and ball carriers alike will love. He’s a nasty run blocker, and the angles he takes when down or reach-blocking defenders are so ideal that he’s able to fold them even if he plays a little too high at times. Kane has a TON of potential, and if he continues to hit the weight room and produce high-level film, who knows where the ceiling is.
WR/DB: Antonio Barajas, 6’, 175 lbs, 2028
A two-way threat for the Raiders, Barajas is another 2028 prospect who finds himself in the Top-100 in his class. He finished his sophomore year with 12 receptions for 114 yards and a TD, averaging a solid 9.5 yards-per-catch. On defense, he played in 6 games and tallied 4 total tackles. He’s been a busy man this offseason, turning heads and lighting up camps since March. On his sophomore tape, Barajas shows off some slick route running and surprising catch concentration. He’s pretty good in space once you get him the rock, and fast enough to create large windows of separation for his QB to hit. He’s got serious utility as a gadget guy as well. Barajas had success last season taking short jet passes or catching flat routes out of the backfield. His quickness is noticeable on tape too. I’ll be curious to see how his role evolves during his junior year.
QB: Gavin Russell, 6’2”, 185 lbs, 2028
Russell was the QB2 behind Izaak Johnson last season, who ended the year leading the state in passing yards. Now with Johnson gone, Russell seeks to take over that Raiders mantle, with possibly the most quarterback-friendly offense in the state. He finished 4/7 for 62 yards and a TD in the sparing time he saw as a sophomore, but now as a junior he’s looking to break out in a big way. Physically, Russell has a lot of tools that would make for a successful QB. Big, strong, athletic, with a good arm, Russell is a QB that I’m excited to see rock under the Friday night lights. He doesn’t have any tape yet, so this is a little bit of a shot in the dark, but don’t be shocked if you see Russell’s name topping stat sheets this season.