Returning senior talent – small schools

In my final returning senior talent story of the year, I look at programs in the smallest four classes. Based on our rankings, these four programs come from smaller schools but are not programs that are small on talent. <strong>Glencoe-Silver Lake</strong> 3 players ranked by PRZ [player_tooltip player_id="49832" first="Mitchel" last="Jaskowiak"] RB, [player_tooltip player_id="116456" first="Riley" last="Butcher"] TE, [player_tooltip player_id="116499" first="Jacob" last="VanDorpe"] DL The Panthers return their leading rusher from 2020 with Jaskowiak. His one-cut, long stride style eats up yards quickly. Butcher is a mauling tight end in the run game but can stretch the defense in the passing game. VanDorpe plays on the interior of both the offensive and defensive lines and has a great combination of size and quick feet. <strong>Fairmont</strong> 4 players ranked by PRZ [player_tooltip player_id="18440" first="Zach" last="Jorgenson"] QB, [player_tooltip player_id="116257" first="Hudson" last="Artz"] DB, [player_tooltip player_id="116267" first="Eli" last="Anderson"] DB, [player_tooltip player_id="49847" first="Gavin" last="Rodning"] LB Jorgenson returns as a prototypical pocket passer. He has the build and the arm strength to be one of the top passers in the state. A guy who tests that arm strength is returning receiver Anderson. The long-striding speedster chews up ground quickly but has much quicker feet than it would appear at first glance. Anderson also anchors the secondary as a safety with great range. Artz is a North Dakota State commit who is an instinctive, attacking outside linebacker whose quickness, tackling ability, and ability to read plays quickly make him tough for offenses to account for. Like Artz, Rodning reads the play and absolutely attacks ballcarriers and lead blockers from his middle linebacker position. <strong>Minneapolis North</strong> 7 players ranked by PRZ [player_tooltip player_id="18424" first="Mario" last="Sanders"] WR, [player_tooltip player_id="18561" first="Chester" last="Watley"] OL, [player_tooltip player_id="18449" first="De’Meiko" last="Anderson"] WR, [player_tooltip player_id="49878" first="David" last="Riley Jr"]. WR, [player_tooltip player_id="18519" first="Sebastian" last="Amorrortu"] K, [player_tooltip player_id="18535" first="Quiyon" last="Jordan"] DL, [player_tooltip player_id="18439" first="Jaheim" last="Abdullah"] DB How explosive is Sanders as a wideout? Sometimes all you need to do is look at the numbers. Sanders averaged nearly 25 yards a catch, and more than a third of his 34 catches resulted in touchdowns. Good luck doubling Sanders, though – Anderson is a deep threat weapon in his own right. The line of scrimmage will again be anchored by mauling center/defensive tackle Watley – who routinely puts smaller defenders on the ground. Lining up to Watley on both offense and defense will be Jordan. While not as powerful as Watley – it is close – Jordan is more agile and excels in the open field as much as in the trenches. <strong>Mayer-Lutheran</strong> 3 players ranked by PRZ [player_tooltip player_id="49819" first="Teigan" last="Martin"] TE, [player_tooltip player_id="22948" first="Ty" last="Hoese"] QB, [player_tooltip player_id="49869" first="Elijah" last="Jopp"] WR, [player_tooltip player_id="116457" first="Dylan" last="Nelson"] RB Hoese returns behind center for his senior year. Last season he threw 14 touchdowns and just three interceptions. Hoese has a big arm to push the ball deep and get the ball across the field to complete field-side out routes. The Crusaders are stacked at the skill position players with their two leading receivers – in terms of yardage gained – returning in Martin and Jopp. Jopp also led the defense in tackles. In the backfield, Nelson didn’t lead the team in carries, but he did lead the team in yardage – averaging a gaudy 9.9 yards per carry.