SD Elite 7v7 Tryout: Junior High Standouts

SIOUX FALLS, SD-- It was a very cold day on our drive to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, which just got sacked with snow all week last week, shutting down a portion of Mount Rushmore State for most of the week. However, that did not stop the football talent level from showing up in full force at the SD Elite 7v7 tryout that took place in Tea and Sioux Falls on Saturday morning and afternoon. We watched close to 50 prospects from our Prep Redzone NEXT prospects in 12U all the way up to our Prep Redzone Dakotas prospects at the high school level. We start off with the young bucks that stood out in my eyes as there were seven standouts from the 605 as far as junior high standouts that I really enjoyed watching their game take off. Find out who made our list that won't stop rolling all week long!   Kaysen Meyer, ATH, Harrisburg, SD (2028)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Kaysen-Meyer-rotated-crop-480x316-1671668660.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-561902" width="296" height="194" /></figure>   Kaysen was inside my top three for the most impressive middle school prospects at the SD Elite tryout for 12U. He showed an athletic base for his age with his agility when turning the corner and showed off a vertical in early drills and 1v1s that showed off a smooth instinct from what these eyes could see on Saturday. Coming out of a powerhouse like Harrisburg and a young prospect that is a swiss-army knife at this time and will develop well for the Tigers well in the coming years, getting into the high school ranks.   Tye DeGeorgia, QB/DB, North Sioux City (Dakota Valley), SD (2028)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Tye-DeGeorgia-rotated-crop-480x316-1671668715.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-561907" width="299" height="196" /></figure>   Tye is going to become an 8th grader next year, but this young man already has those gamer instincts I love watching out for with young quarterback prospects. Tye showed off a well-built demeanor in 1v1s inside the pocket, and I thought he was a great receiver for getting coached up throughout the tryout from start to finish, just having that want to get better and better, and it showed. Also, at defensive back, Tye showed off a fluid giddy-up with his vertical as he showed a strong football IQ on both sides of the ball. Tye showed developing arm strength, and I was a big fan of his ball placement in 1v1s, showing off determined touch that grew throughout watching him at the tryout. This is one from SE South Dakota I will have my eyes on as he enters Dakota Valley High School next year. <a href="https://twitter.com/tyedegeorgia_">Twitter</a>   Royce Hubbard, WR, Sioux Falls, SD (2029)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Royce-Hubbard-rotated-crop-480x316-1671668823.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-561922" width="295" height="194" /></figure>   There was still some raw ability when watching Royce on Saturday; however, the upside is certainly there with some development this spring 7v7 season. He showed noticeable length in his lower body and with his wingspan and showed off the vertical in the early testing that caught my eye. Royce, from what I could see, seems like a WR prospect that is still learning how to use his body with the growth he likely just got, and once he is able to develop more fluidity with his balance in his route-running ability, he has a high ceiling for growth this Spring season with SD Elite.   Jason Trooien, TE/DE, Sioux Falls (O'Gorman), SD (2028)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Jason-Trooien-rotated-crop-480x316-1671668876.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-561925" width="305" height="200" /></figure>   I was for sure shocked when I found out Jason was just an incoming 8th grader based on just looking at his frame from when he walked into the SD Elite tryout in Tea, South Dakota. He didn't just show off a stout frame either; this young man showed off some flexibility with that frame of his, especially when I watched his hip drive and the ample rotation he had with it. I also like Jason's athletic bend he showed off from the defensive end spot, as you can even still tell there is so much development left to be untapped with this young man in the near future. I thought Jason had the highest ceiling of this group although it is early to say he looks like a prospect that should be playing at the next level even though there are several years of growth and development to go in Jason, who will attend Sioux Falls O'Gorman in 2024.   Paxton Craig, ATH, Brandon Valley, SD (2029)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Paxton-Craig-1-rotated-crop-480x316-1671669001.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-561929" width="306" height="201" /></figure>   I liked Paxton's flowing change of direction in the early drills from Saturday's tryout in Tea. He also showed a pure balance in every testing drill I watched, which showed out for his age. When we got into 1v1s, Paxton showed some efficient agility within his footwork. He has a great-sized catch radius for his age; however, I think the biggest development in Paxton is with his pass-catching ability, as that skillset still has some raw development that will only get better over time with plenty of reps this Spring with SD Elite 7v7.   Brayden Jackson, RB, Sioux Falls (Washington), SD (2027)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/BraydenJackson-rotated-crop-480x316-1671670641.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-561955" width="308" height="202" /></figure>   I loved watching Brayden's extreme burst of speed in open space from the tryout on Saturday, and he showed off determined athletic senses in where to take his change of direction with his footwork; he showed off as a running back who will go to Sioux Falls Washington next year. Brayden also is quite long for his age, so growing up that long lower body should give Brayden plenty of range to grow plenty of strength in the weight room before he enters high school next fall. Brayden was probably the most intriguing incoming freshmen on my list from Saturday in Sioux Falls.   More Middle School Standouts to Know:   Nokoski Ringing Shield, ATH, Sioux Falls, SD (2028)   <ul> <li>Nokosi, by far, was one of the fastest kids from the 12U standouts I caught on Sunday. He was at the top of the pack with the significant burst he showed off from start to finish. I didn't see Nokoski at 1v1 drills later in the afternoon but have seen some clips of this kid's game at the Back 2 Ballin 7v7 tournament in Cedar Falls last year and seen the agility and athletic instinct that is in Nokosi's future. Twitter</li> </ul>

SIOUX FALLS, SD-- It was a very cold day on our drive to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, which just got sacked with snow all week last week, shutting down a portion of Mount Rushmore State for most of the week. However, that did not stop the football talent level from showing up in full force at the SD Elite 7v7 tryout that took place in Tea and Sioux Falls on Saturday morning and afternoon. We watched close to 50 prospects from our Prep Redzone NEXT prospects in 12U all the way up to our Prep Redzone Dakotas prospects at the high school level. We start off with the young bucks that stood out in my eyes as there were seven standouts from the 605 as far as junior high standouts that I really enjoyed watching their game take off. Find out who made our list that won't stop rolling all week long!