Profiles of three noteworthy playmakers in prep football

Phillip Howard

Pos: QB/FS/WR/PR School: Cooper

Height, weight: 5-11, 180

Playmaker skills: Committed to the Gophers, he runs the 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds. Playing quarterback last season, he ran for six touchdowns, each covering 25 yards or more. Passed for seven scores and caught a TD pass.

Quotable: "You've got to have composure at those positions. The quarterback has to lead the offense because he has to know everything that's going on with every position. And the safeties are the last line of defense." — Phillip Howard

JD Spielman

Pos: FS/RB/PR School: Eden Prairie

Playmaker skills: Scored six touchdowns of 52 yards or more last season: rushing (two), punt return (two), reception (one) and interception (one). Committed to Nebraska. Agile, strong, tough to tackle.

Quotable: "Whenever I get the ball, I always to strive to be a guy that you can't arm tackle. That's how I've been taught to play. " — JD Spielman

Isaac Collins

Pos: RB/FS/KR/PR School: Maple Grove

Height, weight: 5-9, 180

Quotable: "Isaac is somebody where I feel guilty if he's standing next to me on the sidelines too much." — Matt Lombardi, Maple Grove coach