2023 Rankings: The Newcomers

Today at Prep Redzone Dakotas we take a look at the first 14 newcomers from our Class of 2023 rankings. These prospects were selected in no particular order but are brand new to our 2023 rankings of now 90 prospects. Welcome aboard gentlemen! Quarterbacks Carson Yale Carson Yale 6'8" | QB Des Lacs-Burlington | 2023 , QB, Des Lacs-Burlington (ND) Yale may look more like a solid basketball forward (6’7) but is a pretty compact football player for Des Lacs-Burlington. As a pocket passer, Yale has a nice touch on his mid-level and deep level throws. He is certainly more comfortable in the pocket but can make some plays with his legs in short-yardage situations. Sophomore Tape Reed Rus Reed Rus 6'4" | 195 lbs | LB Mount Vernon/Plankinton | 2023 State , QB/LB, Mount Vernon-Plankiton (SD) Although he plays both ways, I like Rus at linebacker if I am looking at the next level. His crashing ability into that first level on his tackles is what sticks out most when you watch his film. His ability to get in a solid stance when he makes a tackle makes him a textbook tackler in my book. He has an excellent deep ball strength at quarterback I would love to see more of in 2021! Sophomore Tape Justin Zirpel Justin Zirpel QB West Central | 2023 State , QB, West Central (SD) Zirpel could use some updated film, but I like how this kid gets his yards on the ground. He doesn’t fear contact on QB draws and has a burst that can quickly get out the gates. Not much film in the passing game, but from what I did see, this kid gets the ball out quite quickly—also a strong wrestler for the Trojans. Tape vs. Dell Rapids Running Backs Mose Mahammad Mose Mahammad 5'9" | 185 lbs | RB Sioux Falls Roosevelt | 2023 State , RB, Sioux Falls Roosevelt (SD) I am a big fan of Mahammad because he attacks the inside running lanes, whether on his runs or in the receiving game. Mahammad plays the role of power back without the measurables (5’8, 180), which shows you this kid is tough as nails. He certainly has the opportunity to get significant varsity reps for the Rough Riders next year. If he can develop a little bit more in the footwork department, you could see this kid playing at the next level. Sophomore Tape Cade Harm Cade Harm RB Hazen | 2023 State , RB, Hazen (ND) Harm is another smaller back that does an excellent job getting yards after contact despite his measurables (5’8, 160). Harm is also a smaller power back with a little bit of juke in his footwork to get him up the field. Harm is a powerfully built player that runs bigger than the size you see out of Hazen. With some more strength this offseason, this kid could be one to watch in a couple of years out of Central North Dakota. Tape vs. Watford City Offensive Line Charlie Prien Charlie Prien 6'2" | 240 lbs | OL Mount Vernon/Plankinton | 2023 State , OL, Mount Vernon-Plankiton (SD) The first thing I loved when I watched Prien’s tape was how he blocks until that whistle blows. Another thing that was a plus about his tape was his muscular mobility to get to that second level and be the lead blocker upfront for his tailback. A young mauler that finishes his blocks real well. Prien, I believe, could be a next-level player with some more size. Sophomore Tape Jason Maciejczak Jason Maciejczak 6'4" | 320 lbs | OL Pierre T.F. Riggs | 2023 State , OL, Douglas (SD) Holy macro-roll, Maciejciak has to be the most exciting prospect on this list. When he Maciejciak gets a chance at the next level, I think he’ll be a defensive lineman, but Douglas lines him up everywhere. Seeing this man-child in the backfield running the ball reminds me of the fridge William Perry back in the ’80s with the Bears. When he drives to the first level as a linebacker, there’s not a chance any kid will get by this guy if he has them wrapped up. Placing Macieciak at fullback is just unfair. Although the Patriots were 1-8 last year, Maciejciak has to fill a very bright spot in their future. Sophomore Tape Lah Khet Lah Khet OL Aberdeen Central | 2023 , OL, Aberdeen Central (SD) With my first look on Khet, I saw a prospect with a violent punch if anyone tried to mess with him on the line. I like his shedding ability on the d-line to get down on the first level to erupt in the backfield. He has an excellent motor to pull block around the offensive line—a sleeper, in my opinion, out of Aberdeen Central. Sophomore Tape Santiago Galvan Santiago Galvan 5'10" | 230 lbs | OL Grafton | 2023 State , OL, Grafton (ND) It took some time to lock into Galvan’s tape on my first look, but it was solid to watch once I was locked in. Galvan does an excellent job of staying very physical on each block he gets. He certainly is a player that wants to get the final punch on whoever he’s blocking. Galvan can take the lead block some of the time on that second level, which should only be more frequent in the coming years. Sophomore Tape Defensive Line Quade Parker Quade Parker 6'1" | 180 lbs | DL Custer | 2023 State , DL, Custer (SD) Man, I’m a big fan of how vicious this kid is with his excellent hit stick. It’s not just one play; you see how physical Parker is; it’s close to every play on his film. Backfields from the West River better be well aware of where this prospect is on the field because before you know it, he’ll have you on the ground. Certainly will be one of my favorite defensive players in this class from the Westside of the Missouri River, along with Maciejciak from above. Sophomore Tape Linebackers Cedar Amiotte Cedar Amiotte ATH Wall | 2023 State , LB/RB, Wall (SD) Amiotte follows in his brother’s footsteps giving the Wall Eagles another hard-hitting linebacker that has some burst in the backfield from 2023 class. When I got my first look on Amiotte for this list, I saw a kid who might be a more physical version defensively than his brother was. Amiotte has a nice set of footwork on the offensive side of the ball that he displays well on his cuts and then uses that break out speed to get where he needs to go. It may be early, but I am ready to call Amiotte a next-level football player based on the potential I see. With more film and activity on social media this early, that would help those chances come true. Tape vs. Jones County Tape vs. Kadoka Jaxton Eck Jaxton Eck 6'0" | 215 lbs | LB Brookings | 2023 State , LB/RB, Brookings (SD) Eck certainly has my favorite linebacker film I have seen from Class of 2023 at linebacker. He gets off blockers exceptionally quickly and has such a physical drive in his feet when making a tackle. The number of teams that had left him unblocked this year blows my mind. Eck has a great turning ability in his hips to show locked in when he’s switching gears to make a probable tackle. He does an excellent job in pass coverage, even though he’s eruptive in backfields all over Class 11AA. A very bright football future for this young man as I can certainly see Eck at the Division I level down the road. Sophomore Tape Defensive Backs Jace Johnson Jace Johnson 6'1" | 170 lbs | DB North Central | 2023 State , DB, Rapid City Central (SD) What sticks out in our first look at Johnson’s film is his footwork and his long arms. Johnson’s coverage ability sticks out in my eyes as a bright spot for this Central secondary. I think Johnson could develop an even stronger backpedal, which would do wonders for his game as a combo DB/LB for Rapid City Central. Sophomore Tape George Johnson George Johnson ATH Viborg-Hurley | 2023 State , DB/WR, Viborg-Hurley (SD) Johnson, I am a huge fan of at defensive back, even though he can play anywhere offensively. He is extremely light on his light and has some rapid reaction time to make a play on the football. When you watch his tackling ability, you see a physical player with all the tools to follow in his brother’s footsteps at the next level. His blazing speed will be something to watch on both sides of the ball over the next few years for the Cougars—scholarship level player.