Wisconsin and Iowa recruits headline this year's top players on the 2025 Elite 11 football team.
A pair of future Wisconsin Badgers, an Iowa Hawkeye and the state's top quarterback headline the Elite 11 senior football players for the 2025 season.
Appleton North's Ben Wenzel is the state's top linebacker and is heading to Madison next fall along with Bay Port offensive lineman Aiden Dirksen. West De Pere's Patrick Greisen threw 49 touchdown passes last season for the Phantoms and is the top-ranked quarterback. Winneconne's Brody Schaffer, a versatile athlete who plays quarterback for the Wolves, is an Iowa commit.
Kimberly's Eli Janssen, Appleton East's Todd Marx, Bay Port's Brady Moon, Menasha's Elijah Phillips, Xavier's Matthew Potter, Kaukauna's Aiden Reardon and Winneconne's Hudson Samolinski round out the Fox Valley's top senior players.
AIDEN DIRKSEN
Bay Port, offensive/defensive line
Height, weight: 6-7, 290
Family: Father, Matt; siblings, Brooke (15), Dane (12) and Brady (9)
Favorite movie: “The Lord of the Rings”
Favorite TV show/streaming: “Breaking Bad”
Favorite food: Sushi
Favorite musical artist: Travis Scott
Favorite school subject: Weightlifting
Favorite athlete: Rob Gronkowski
Favorite vacation spot: Italy
Why he’s on the team: The University of Wisconsin recruit was second-team all-FRCC North at offensive line. He's the No. 7-ranked senior lineman by WisSports.net.
PATRICK GREISEN
West De Pere, quarterback
Height, weight: 6-3, 200
Family: Parents, Chris and Shannon; siblings, Michaela (22), Hannah (19), Andrew (15), Catherine (10) and Margaret (8)
Favorite movie: “Rudy”
Favorite food: Shrimp scampi
Favorite musical artist: Lil’ Baby
Favorite school subject: English
Favorite athlete: Jalen Hurts
Favorite vacation spot: Turks and Caicos
Why he’s on the team: The South Dakota commit is the top-ranked senior quarterback by WisSports.net. Unanimous first-team all-FRCC North and the league’s player of the year. Led the state last season with 49 touchdown passes and threw for 3,846 yards.
ELI JANSSEN
Kimberly, defensive end/tight end
Height, weight: 6-3, 240
Family: Mother, Ashley Janssen
Favorite movie: “The Incredibles”
Favorite TV show/streaming: “Narcos”
Favorite food: Steak
Favorite musical artist: OT7 Quanny
Favorite school subject: History
Favorite athlete: Ray Lewis
Favorite vacation spot: Mexico
Why he’s on the team: The South Dakota State recruit is the top-ranked “Edge” defender by WisSports.net. Finished with 23 total tackles, including seven for loss, with three sacks and a forced fumble. Second-team all-FVA pick.
TODD MARX
Appleton East, offensive line
Height, weight: 6-3, 285
Family: Parents, Ryan and Kathy; brothers, Joe (23) and Bobby (18)
Favorite movie: “Remember the Titans”
Favorite TV show/streaming: “Friday Night Lights”
Favorite food: Tacos
Favorite musical artist: Zach Bryan
Favorite school subject: Science
Favorite athlete: JJ Watt
Favorite vacation spot: Mexico
Why he’s on the team: Was a first-team all-FVA selection and has interest from Division I and Division II schools.
BRADY MOON
Bay Port, running back/defensive back
Height, weight: 5-8, 180
Family: Parents, Josh and Andria; brother, Kellen (14)
Favorite movie: “Star Wars”
Favorite TV show/streaming: “Phineas and Ferb”
Favorite food: Chicken
Favorite musical artist: Drake
Favorite school subject: Weightlifting or math
Favorite athlete: Bryson DeChambeau
Favorite vacation spot: Puerto Rico
Why he’s on the team: First-team all-FRCC North at running back. Ranked No. 3 among top senior running backs by WisSports.net. Ran for 1,479 yards on 183 carries with 25 touchdowns. Also had 42 total tackles with an interception at defensive back.
ELIJAH PHILLIPS
Menasha, defensive line
Height, weight: 5-11, 225
Family: Parents, Justin and Kiona Schultz
Favorite movie: “The Batman”
Favorite TV show/streaming: “Blue Mountain State”
Favorite food: Chow mein
Favorite musical artist: OsamaSon
Favorite athlete: Charles Oliveira
Favorite vacation spot: Cancun
Why he’s on the team: Unanimous first-team all-FRCC South. Had 67 total tackles, with 19 for loss and nine sacks. Ranked No. 11 among senior defensive linemen by WisSports.net.
MATTHEW POTTER
Xavier, quarterback/running back, safety
Height, weight: 5-11, 185
Family: Parents, Tom and Jen; sister, Mariah
Favorite movie: “The Hangover”
Favorite TV show/streaming: “Friends”
Favorite food: Chipotle bowls
Favorite musical artist: Drake
Favorite school subject: Math
Favorite athlete: Kyle Hamilton
Favorite vacation spot: Gulf Shores
Why he’s on the team: Unanimous first-team all-Bay Conference. Had 673 yards passing with six touchdowns, along with 1,402 yards rushing on 255 carries and 19 touchdowns.
AIDEN REARDON
Kaukauna, running back
Height, weight: 5-10, 186
Family: Parents, Ryan and Kim; siblings, Thomas (21) and Haley (14); pet dog, Ruby
Favorite movie: “Interstellar”
Favorite TV show/streaming: “Breaking Bad”
Favorite food: Steak
Favorite musical artist: The Weeknd
Favorite school subject: Math
Favorite athlete: Bijan Robinson
Favorite vacation spot: Punta Cana
Why he’s on the team: First-team all-Fox Valley Association at running back. Ran for 1,451 yards on 247 carries with 15 touchdowns and caught six passes for 71 yards and a score. Ranked No. 14 among senior running backs by WisSports.net.
HUDSON SAMOLINSKI
Winneconne, offensive/defensive line
Height, weight: 6-3, 280
Family: Parents, Ben and Sarah; sister, Avery (15); brother, Parker (13); pet dog, Loki
Favorite movie: “Cars 2” or “Gladiator”
Favorite TV show/streaming: “Arrow”
Favorite food: Chicken Alfredo
Favorite musical artist: Don Toliver
Favorite school subject: Lunch
Favorite athlete: Dexter Lawrence II
Favorite vacation spot: Alaska
Why he’s on the team: The Illinois State University commit was unanimous first-team all-Bay Conference at offensive and defensive line. Finished with 73 total tackles, including 13 for loss, with two sacks and a blocked kick. Ranked No. 4 senior defensive lineman by WisSports.net.
BRODY SCHAFFER
Winneconne, quarterback/safety
Height, weight: 6-1, 190
Family: Parents, Derek and Carrie; sister, Izzy (19); pets, Ollie and Jordy
Favorite movie: “Transformers”
Favorite TV show/streaming: “Johnny Football”
Favorite musical artist: Gunna
Favorite school subject: Lunch
Favorite athlete: Bryce Young
Favorite vacation spot: Florida
Why he’s on the team: The Iowa recruit was Bay Conference offensive player of the year, back of the year and unanimous first-team all-conference at quarterback and defensive back. He was also the league's defensive back of the year. Ranked the No. 3 senior quarterback by WisSports.net. Had 1,800 yards passing with 17 touchdowns. Rushed for 1,774 yards on 184 carries with 31 touchdowns.
BEN WENZEL
Appleton North, linebacker/tight end
Height, weight: 6-3, 220
Family: Parents, Alex and Kristin; sister, Julia; pet dogs, Charlie and Dolly
Favorite movie: “Step Brothers”
Favorite food: Philly Cheesesteak
Favorite artist: Drake
Favorite school subject: Chemistry
Favorite athlete: Fred Werner
Favorite vacation spot: Florida
Why he’s on the team: The University of Wisconsin commit was first-team all-FVA at linebacker. Finished with 83 total tackles and two forced fumbles. Ranked No. 1 among senior linebackers by WisSports.net.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: High school football: Meet the 2025 Elite 11 top senior players
Category: General Sports
