South Dakota Hog Molly of the Year: The Nominees/2022 Watchlist

Let’s face it, how productive is offense without the guys up front paving the way to your passing game and your rushing attack? With that being said, the offensive line is one of the most underappreciated units in all of football. What are we doing in the Dakotas to change that narrative? With offensive linemen, you have heard the term "Hog Molly," which defines an offensive lineman that works in the trenches to pave lanes for his running backs and gives his quarterback the ample time make a big throw. I give you the Class of 2021 nominees for the inaugural Prep Redzone Dakotas "Hog Molly of the Year" award for the state of South Dakota. You’ll also meet a few names that might be taking this award home next year from the 2022 class. We will decide on a winner of this award next Wednesday at 8 PM Central Time. Enjoy! <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="56240" first="Sam" last="Kohls"], Sioux Falls Roosevelt</strong> Kohls has some of the faster feet on this list. His positioning on the line is stout at 6’4 310 pounds that are also in the driver’s seat on multiple defenders’ levels. His ability to shove defensive linemen around almost looks effortless as he packs a quick punch of knocking the defense on their rear end. Kohls is undoubtedly a strong contender for this award we will announce next week. South Dakota commit. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9466198/5fa830a819afb50c8cd1df8a">Sr. Tape</a> [player_tooltip player_id="56248" first="Ethan" last="Headlee"], <strong>Harrisburg</strong> I have said it before about Headlee; his engagement level on the line is something that stuck out to me when I built the site. Headlee can either play smash in the mouth right at the line, pull block to get his rushing attack on the outside, and is a finisher of blocks continuing to engaging with a defender while he has put them on their rear end. Headlee started his recruiting journey as a possible NAIA product but has raised that stock in a short time frame that he could be a steal at Division II level if he doesn’t get an FCS opportunity in the near future. Headlee is still undecided on next level plans and is one of the top unsigned seniors on Prep Redzone Dakotas rankings. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EdyRS">Sr. Tape</a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="56233" first="Caden" last="Ellingson"], Tea Area</strong> Ellingson is a two-way player that stays really engaged on that first level line. Ellingson paved the way for plenty of yards this season from Austin Lake and [player_tooltip player_id="56412" first="Kaden" last="Johnson"] for the Titans. Ellingson also is a finishing type blocker. I see Ellingson as a next-level defensive end because of how well he sheds off blocks. South Dakota added another possible Hog Molly of the Year in Ellingson back in June. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2CRrAg">Jr. Tape</a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="56296" first="Ryan" last="Dodds"], Dakota Valley</strong> A probable dark horse on this list, Dodds is not only a physical offensive lineman but a wiz kid in the classroom with a  4.0 GPA and a 32 on the ACT. As the Panthers man in the middle at center, Dodds engagement level is strong, and he can get multiple punches on numerous levels. Dodds could use some development as far as his speed on the line. Dodds has quite the display of offers and has the most roster spot opportunities in the Dakotas, from programs from the state of Washington to Arkansas and everywhere in between. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EW08m">Sr. Tape</a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="56250" first="Parker" last="Theobald"], Brookings</strong> Theobald, in my opinion, has the absolute quickest feet on this list. Offensive linemen stats are hard to get and to track, but his teammate and fellow Stewartville (MN) transfer and recent SDSU commit [player_tooltip player_id="56238" first="Josh" last="Buri"] rallied for first down plus an extra yard (11 ypc) per carry this season in large part to Theobald leading the pack of offensive linemen along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id="56474" first="Brock" last="Longville"], [player_tooltip player_id="56485" first="Magnus" last="Nelson"], and [player_tooltip player_id="56451" first="Perry" last="King"] for Brookings. Theobald looks to have all the tools to be a fantastic next-level defensive end. Theobald currently holds three Division II offers, which I’m sure more are coming as the Dakotas has been a hot spot recruiting wise over the last few days. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EZyf5">Senior Tape</a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="56333" first="Tyler" last="Kjetland"], Bridgewater-Emery</strong> If I had an award for "Center of the Year," it would undoubtedly go to [player_tooltip player_id="56333" first="Tyler" last="Kjetland"] in the Dakotas. The Northern State commit is exceptionally physical and gets his pancakes quickly because he is such an aggressive blocker that stays extremely low to get his leverage on guys. Kjetland used his senior season to raise his stock going into October with no offers to date and ended with three offers and headed to Aberdeen after a late-season push. Wolves got a steal with this Seahawk from Bridgewater-Emery. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9771870/5f542b9d478d960b704cd060">Mid-Season Tape</a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="56262" first="Jacob" last="Wagner"], McCook Central/Montrose</strong> Wagner has an excellent engagement level on the offensive line. A big frame at 6’6 275 pounds, Wagner’s drive in his feet is outstanding. Wagner can get to the first and second level with his physicality. Wagner is, by far, one of the best small-school linemen in South Dakota. After getting three football offers from the Northern Sun and an offer from NAIA powerhouse, Morningside, Wagner will be 30 minutes up I-90 in Sioux Falls as he committed to Augustana. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Ebq5e">Sr. Tape</a> <strong>2022 WATCHLIST</strong> These names are the names from the 2022 class that could tape this title next year. Check out their films and decide who could be the early favorites in no particular order! <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="56450" first="Nick" last="Bunkers"], Sioux Falls Roosevelt </strong> <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/11634272/5f720cec6e82c310887e526d">Mid-Season Tape</a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="56489" first="Aiden" last="Brink"], Sioux Falls Washington</strong> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10698003/5faa08c00dbffb0cf4ae11c0">Junior Tape</a> <strong>Joseph Cotton, Sioux Falls Roosevelt</strong> <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Eeca5">Junior Tape</a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="56475" first="Mason" last="Jacobson"], Harrisburg</strong> <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EeMKx">Jr. Tape</a> <strong>Jordan Larsen, Harrisburg</strong> <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/11516655/5fb43727688fbe0a44f279a1">Junior Tape</a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="56465" first="Jace" last="Sifore"], Howard</strong> Sifore is probably the most college-ready offensive linemen in 9-man football in South Dakota. His 6’4 265-pound frame is something to watch out of the Howard Tigers in his senior season. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Eb0B5">Jr. Tape</a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="56529" first="Josh" last="Larsen"], Harrisburg</strong> <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/11516640/5fb47118b53e560524047ce7">Junior Tape</a>