2024 March Update: The Newcomers Part III
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DAKOTAS– We take a look at Part III of our newcomer evaluations to our March update of the Class of 2024 rankings in the Dakotas. The one thing I love about evaluating this class, is the high amount of small…
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Continue ReadingDAKOTAS– We take a look at Part III of our newcomer evaluations to our March update of the Class of 2024 rankings in the Dakotas. The one thing I love about evaluating this class, is the high amount of small school prospects that had promising sophomore seasons which lead their stock to improve on our recruiting board which features nearly 185 prospects from the Class of 2024.
These 10 prospects from all over the Dakotas stamped their mark to be added to our 2024 rankings based on their tape. Some have a full season of highlight tape, and some we are betting on their potential from the limited tape we were able to find. Take a deep dive at our list of 10 newcomers in 2024!
Robert Begalka Robert Begalka 6'0" | 235 lbs | OL Deuel | 2024 State SD | OL | Deuel (SD)
2024 Ranking: #82 overall, #12 for Offensive Line
Robert is a guard prospect that I believe has a good ceiling when it comes to growing his blocking ability over the next two seasons. From the start, he shows he can get great leverage to shove his defender into the next level of the field, but just needs development on that finishing move to fully drive the defender into the turf that is similar in size to him. He does show this at a stronger level against smaller defenders, but I think he can develop a stronger hip drive. Robert can also develop a better pad level in his junior season, as he starts his reps a little bit higher than I would prefer to see on tape. There is no doubt about this young man’s skillset, he just needs better mechanics to work on this offseason to drive his ranking and his college recruiting stock higher in my eyes.
Ethan Evanson Ethan Evanson 6'3" | 270 lbs | OL Watford City | 2024 State ND | OL | Watford City (ND)
2024 Ranking: #74 overall, #11 for Offensive Line
At 6’3 250 pounds, Ethan plays with a fearless “come & get it” demeanor. In one of his game tapes, he shows a quick punch as the defensive linemen nears the backfield and is able to punch him to the turf. He also has that finishing technique I enjoy watching out the offensive line position and really sells well to college scouts watching tape. I also like the drive off ability Ethan shows from his angled blocks that assure that he can shove the DL into no man’s land far away from his quarterback. What else impressed me about this young man was how stout his bend was at the line, as I feel that will show nicely to college coaches out there as he improves the depth of his tape in the future.
Kandon Mahone Kandon Mahone 5'9" | 170 lbs | WR Sioux Falls Roosevelt | 2024 State SD | WR | Sioux Falls Roosevelt (SD)
2024 Ranking: #78 overall, #19 for Wide Receiver
There is not a ton of film on Kandon at the moment, but the tape we do have you can certainly see the potential that is there at this time. He shows a good twist in his hips and decent speed out the gates of his routes. What I like most is his agility when he is face to face with the secondary, as he has the skillset to open up his hips and change directions at a solid rate to attack the open field. He also shows great durability between the tackles for his size (5’9 170). With some added strength from top to bottom in the weight room this spring/summer, I think this kid has great potential in his junior season to make some noise for the Roughriders, especially as a slot receiver/slot back.
Jim Miller Jim Miller 5'11" | 210 lbs | ATH Fargo North | 2024 State ND | RB/FB | Fargo North (ND)
2024 Ranking: #71 overall, #10 for Running Back
Jim is a RB/FB prospect that provides solid assurance running the football between the tackles inside. He shows sound patience waiting for the gap to develop, and then hitting that gap efficiently. This kid provides sufficient insurance from 10 yards and in within the redzone, as the Spartans continuously called on Jim to use his solid frame (5’10 210) to lower the shoulder and find the end zone. Jim provides a lot of durability from first contact and can punch smaller defenders right in the mouth if they do not have the angle to tackle him properly.
Trevor Gill Trevor Gill WR Herreid-Selby | 2024 State SD | WR | Herreid-Selby (SD)
2024 Ranking: #77 overall, #18 for Wide Receiver
Trevor is another prospect that shows potential from what we have watched live and light on the highlight tape. The athleticism Trevor showed in a very important playoff game last year for the Wolverines is why he sits on our radar today. He showed off a young man that is instinctive and has a willingness to due whatever it takes to find an opening in the secondary to make a play. When I watched his route running in a tight game, he showed the mental toughness to let his QB Tray Hettick Tray Hettick 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Herreid/Selby | 2023 State know when he had that opening, which is a firm reason why I had Trevor in our Top 80 despite not having much tape. I am sure he will add more tape to his resume come his junior season, and more will see what I have been talking about at that time!
Peyton Young Peyton Young 6'0" | 175 lbs | WR Rapid City St. Thomas More | 2024 State SD | WR | Rapid City St. Thomas More (SD)
2024 Ranking: #42 overall, #4 for Wide Receiver
Peyton has the highest debut of ranked wide receivers we have talked about so far on this Newcomers list. Not only do I love how this kid breaks out on the start of his routes, but his ability to work the secondary on a tight window and adjust his balance to grab the football in stride is what makes his tape so fun to watch. The level of difficulty of the catches on tape that Peyton consistently makes is very high from what I grasped. This young man is one of the best wide receivers the West River has to offer from the 2024 class, so if I am a college coach recruiting this region, I would for sure put this kid on my recruiting board early, as I believe Peyton will be a stockriser in our next 2024 rankings update for sure. Checks in just outside of our Top 40 prospects in the Dakotas.
More 2024 Newcomers to Watch in 2022
Leo Strandell Leo Strandell WR Grand Forks Central | 2024 State ND | WR/DB | Grand Forks Central (ND)
2024 Ranking: #76 overall, #17 for Wide Receiver
Little brother of North Dakota commit Sam Strandell Sam Strandell DB GF Central | 2022 State .
Kyren Nulle Kyren Nulle RB Belle Fourche | 2024 State SD | RB | Belle Fourche (SD)
2024 Ranking: #87 overall, #12 for Running Back
Gavin Moeding Gavin Moeding WR Huron | 2024 State SD | WR | Huron (SD)
2024 Ranking: #72 Overall, #14 for Wide Receiver