Augustana University Prospect Camp: Standouts, Part III

SIOUX FALLS, SD-- Part III is out from the Augustana University Prospect Camp #1. We cross three different state lines again with Part III and found promising prospects from the state of Nebraska, Minnesota, and of course South Dakota that were either first look prospects for us or prospects that really proved as stockrisers in Vikings Country. We move into Part III and find out who painted a picture for their next-level football career in our eyes. [player_tooltip player_id="313243" first="Will" last="Priest"] | RB | Rosemount (MN) | 2023 I really came away impressed with the smoothness of the hands of new Rosemount RB1 [player_tooltip player_id="313243" first="Will" last="Priest"]. This young man is not only durable between the tackles but has a very quick twist in his hips to change in either direction and it comes in handy once he breaks out of the first level of defense. This young man plays with great balance and does not give up on runs once the defenders made contact and he shows that time and time and again on tape. He has some development as far as his finishing speed once he reaches into the second level, but I like this young man’s chance of playing on Saturdays. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Ga5Qq">Jr Tape</a> [player_tooltip player_id="19003" first="Ryan" last="Retzer"] | OL | Belle Plaine (MN) | 2023 <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-364582" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/06/retzer-crop-480x316-1655525727-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> Ryan is a OL prospect I have watched for a handful of years now, and the development I have seen from him just keeps getting better and better. You have to start with Ryan’s hands, as his ability in 1v1s to use them with a sound hand position to get the best leverage possible, worked for him all day at the Augustana prospect camp. I’ve learned this about Ryan, but he’s developed a leadership quality to take coaching to the next level, as numerous times he pulled a Vikings coach aside even on a good rep to see how he could get even better. Ryan was by far one of the best hog mollies in the trenches last Sunday in Sioux Falls. Ryan has that punishing ability that finishes the defender on the turf and will not allow him to get another rep after he’s done with him. The receiving end of one of Ryan’s pull blocks likely is a scary site as his downhill ability doesn’t give the defender at all much time to react as he’s quicker than any testing session will give him numbers wise. I expect the NSIC to be very heavy on this kid over the coming months as he’s already unloaded a few offers in the early summer. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GNzL7">Jr Tape</a> [player_tooltip player_id="157612" first="Barrett" last="Van Deun"] | DL/OL | Millard West (NE) | 2023 <img class="alignnone wp-image-247113" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/34-Barrett-Van-Deun-e1655525884754-300x138.jpg" alt="" width="320" height="147" /> I got an opportunity to watch Barrett in some Indy drills, and I came away quite impressed with his multi skillsets he brought to Sioux Falls. He started off by showing a athletic bend while getting into his stance and once he got in his stance and ready for the drill he showed quick hands to pull himself off the hog mollies quickly. The vision Barrett shows on tape is instinctive and he has a quick reaction to get himself deeper to the inside lane and shows solid physicality when he meets the ball carrier. I think more development with his agility will do wonders for this young man as we look into the 2022 season. He shows off a quality window he can work into with his range as well. I think there is more finesse from Barrett from his offensive line tape, as he shows good skillsets with his hand level and finishing moves. Already has one NAIA offer on the table, and I am sure there will be more coming this summer and fall. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GAaQr">Jr Tape</a> [player_tooltip player_id="273690" first="Chase" last="Van Tol"] | RB/LB/K | Tea Area (SD) | 2023 <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-364584" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/06/van-tol-crop-480x316-1655525767-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> Chase showed off some electric cutting ability watching his reps at the Augustana Prospect Camp. I always love when any prospect shows consistency in their reps when I watch them at prospect camps, and Chase certainly showed that consistent in not just his 1v1 reps but in testing too running in the mid 4.6s. I will always love scouting a RB prospect that shows off their pass-catching ability, and Chase shows off some high-traffic athleticism when it is time to roll his tape from 2021. Chase shows off very visible range as a linebacker and a smash mouth hitter when he gets his speed cooking on a play. This young man is a THREE level prospect and one that has some boom boom in his kicking leg to add to his athletic skillsets. I can’t lie, I am very surprised Chase doesn’t have an offer yet but I am sure after the camp circuit they will come and come quick. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GRJ5s">Jr Tape</a> Jonsh Vierstraete | DB | Marshall (MN) | 2023 Johan was as first look prospect for me at the Augustana Prospect Camp, and he showed off a sufficient amount of burst from what my eyes caught from Sunday. He also showed solid field awareness from the defensive back position and better hands than defensive backs get credit for. Jonah is a combative tackler that shows off a lot more physicality than you would expect for 6’0 175. Where that awareness comes into play is early on tape, as he shows a giddy-up beyond the first level of play to seal off the tackler from getting past that line of scrimmage and does it with a lot of consistency. Jonah is also a sideline to sideline defensive back. I’m surprised that this young man has gotten overlooked at the D2 level as I would offer this young man in a minute if I was coaching. Our area scouts also have a high grade on this young man. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GAaQr">Jr Tape</a> [player_tooltip player_id="305157" first="Matthew" last="Thompson"] | LB | Papillion La Vista South (NE) | 2023 Matthew struck a chord with me based on his reactiveness with his footwork and being able to get back to the ball quickly when I witnessed him as a first look in 1v1s. He showed strong game-level speed which may have not shown off in his testing, but that just shows this kid has another level for Friday nights. Matthew causes his fair share of havoc in the backfield on Friday nights. I would love to see him develop even quicker hands with his get off, but overall I like the speed to the ball this kid possesses on his game tape. When he cuts to the ball without contact, that is where you see that game speed I mentioned come full out he gets in the running lanes quickly. I would be remissed, if I didn’t believe this young man has what it takes to play on Saturday’s as that big motor just gells well at the next level as an edge rusher that will need to add stronger size in a college weight room program. He has a slew of NAIA offers, but I think he grades higher than that in my eyes. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2H7zSX">Jr Tape</a> [player_tooltip player_id="289643" first="Henry" last="Theobald"] | DB | Sioux Falls O’Gorman (SD) | 2024 The #1 defensive back in the state of South Dakota’s 2024 class, came out to play in Vikings Country and put together some solid reps that I caught in 1v1s. I was a big fan of Henry’s balance with his ball-tracking ability, as he showed patience within his game to press the wide out to the sidelines creating nearly no cushion for them to operate unless they put their athletic skill in full circle. Henry’s tape shows off good footwork for his age from a sideways angle. I believe he has the juice in his lower body to jack up his vertical, although his reach to the ball looks strong on his sophomore tape. He also possesses the ability with his vision to drop into other coverage to stop the run from crossing over his zone and has quick reactions in getting to the ball within a moment’s reach. Keep your eyes peeled for this kid in the coming year with his recruiting trail. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/15606067/61ee28f23deac5079cbab991">Jr Tape</a>