Dakota Dogs of the Week: Part One

Tonight we look at seven prospects across the Dakotas that come from all different skill sets. Some in my eyes are Division I prospects, some were my biggest misses in our latest rankings, and some with some development could become scholarship-levels. We debut the Dakotas Dogs of the Week. Do you want to be added to our Dakotas dogs of the week and get evaluated? Click the link <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1m55lQrQKBPkEv3iGdaTv7pGtXTP3OMvSityF9UwV4dg/edit?ts=6035b78f">here</a> to get on our radar! [caption id="attachment_118839" align="alignright" width="124"]<img class="wp-image-118839" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/03/IMG_2361-169x300.jpg" alt="" width="124" height="220" /> PRZ Dakotas top 2023 OL prospect, Sioux Falls Lincoln’s [player_tooltip player_id="89289" first="Elliott" last="Renville"][/caption]<strong>[player_tooltip player_id="89289" first="Elliott" last="Renville"], OL, Sioux Falls Lincoln (SD) (2023) </strong> One of the first things I love about Renville’s film is his ability to collapse down on a defender once he’s put them on their rear end to make sure he stays on the turf. Another strength of our 2023 #1 OL prospect in the Dakotas is his stamina, as he can roll downfield for the Patriots and continue to make plays for his rushing attack. Some of the best speed Renville shows is when he’s maneuvering around the line on pull blocks. Renville also models a solid pad level which is why he’s a Divison I prospect in my eyes. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/13343153/5fd07b019676b5078ccfbd76">So. Tape</a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="56521" first="Charlie" last="Ward"], QB Vermillion (SD) (2022)</strong> The first thing that stood out to me about ward was the precision passing he shows on his deep ball. The touch he has on the football when he is making throws within 10-15 yards is where he truly stood out to me as he makes throws like a baseball player throwing some heat. Ward also has the ability to extend plays with his legs and shows a burst that is fun to watch when he has some open field to run with. I would love to see more tape out of Ward in his senior season. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EWiDJ">Jr. Tape</a> <strong>Marty Gohn, RB, Wosley-Wessington (SD) (2022)</strong> Although Gohn may be on the smaller side for tailbacks (5’8, 170), he has some shift in his footwork that’s certainly worth watching. Gohn also does a nice job of shedding off tacklers for his size. From a development standpoint, if Gohn can work on his acceleration this offseason going into his senior season, he could definitely find himself in a college backfield. Gohn gives me Tarik Cohen vibes when he gets in the open field in the receiving core as he burst seems to be even better. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Eapmb">Jr. Tape</a> <strong>RJ Perry, DL, Great Plains Lutheran (SD) (2023)</strong> Perry shows off a quality get-off ability when he attacks the rushing lines in the backfield. His ability to make arm tackles from the side of the ball carriers is one of the significant strengths I like about his game. The definition of a run-stuffer in the inside lanes, as you’ll never see a tailback get more than five yards anywhere in the first minute of his film. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2ESj82">So. Tape</a> <strong>Nate Ratzlaff, Sioux Falls O’Gorman (SD) (2023)</strong> Ratzlaff has me kicking myself as I didn’t have him on my 2023 rankings last time out. His ability to crash in the inside rushing lanes makes him a dominant linebacker for the Knights as just a sophomore. Ratzlaff also is a sound wrap-up tackler. If you are looking for a linebacker that can stay the course with his versatility, Ratzlaff is your guy, as he can also be a physical player in coverage and can run from sideline to sideline. Ratzlaff (6’1, 210) has an absolutely loaded frame-wise from top to bottom and will be a top linebacker in the Dakotas in the next couple of years. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/14287630/60346d4c32dce30258bda1a5">So. Tape</a> <strong>Matt Trieb, FB/LB, West Fargo Sheyenne (ND) (2022)</strong> Trieb, in my eyes, if he can put on some additional strength in the weight room, could a fullback at the next level. He needs to develop more of a punch with his blocks to raise the bar of his game. With [player_tooltip player_id="56234" first="Barika" last="Kpeenu"] headed to NDSU, I expect Trieb to get more reps to show off his game in his senior season for the Mustangs. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EiQnJ">Jr. Tape</a> <strong>Trent Farren, OL, Rapid City Central (SD) (2022)</strong> What I love about Farren’s game is his knockdown ability when he gets his hands on someone. Farren is a center that I feel can also drive the bus extremely well when he gets momentum on the line.  In my eyes, Farren has some rawness to his game and can develop some faster footwork in his senior season, which will only make his game even stronger. He certainly has the lower body strength to use his leverage to his advantage as he stands a stout 6’3 285 pounds in the middle of the Cobblers offensive line.