2023 Dakotas Rankings Update: Midnight Madness, New Additions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DAKOTAS</strong>-- First, you are probably wondering, what is Midnight Madness? Midnight Madness is a race to beat the clock before midnight, seeing how many <strong>New Additions</strong> to our Prep Redzone Dakotas 2023 rankings update we can evaluate before the clock turns to midnight. With this list of six prospects, we take a look at all the new additions, several of which were late bloomers to our recruiting radar. Take a look at what we have in store for Part I of these new additions in the Dakotas!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='533128' first='Logan' last='Williams'], DB, Douglas (SD) 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":546841,"width":346,"height":227,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/71-Logan-Williams-crop-3585x2354-1670898815.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-546841" width="346" height="227" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Logan was another prospect that got on my radar late at our Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcase, as I liked how well this young man was with his fluid footwork regardless of the distance of routes that were thrown his way. He showed off some good dexterity in Aberdeen, from my eyes.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Another skillset that showed out on tape with Logan was his versatile vision, as he could engage very quickly with his instincts that he could pull off his pass coverage, quickly dip into the slot, and assist the safety in making a tackle against one of the best offenses in the state. It is also easy to gauge with Logan that he has a great work ethic, as you will see him be the man to chase down the ball carrier streaking upfield, with Logan being the last man to beat. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Logan checks into our rankings inside the top 155 prospects in the Dakotas and is one of three prospects on this list headed to Madison to play football for the Trojans next year! I certainly could see Logan being a great safety at the next level!</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='533131' first='Nathan' last='Bradford'], LB, Herreid-Selby (SD) 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":546850,"width":355,"height":233,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/47-Nathan-Bradford-crop-3584x2353-1670898938.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-546850" width="355" height="233" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>There probably isn't a bigger fan than me of this Herreid-Selby Wolverines program for the last few years, but Nathan got on my radar during their state championship game at the Dakota Dome against Hitchcock-Tulare, as he was a ballhawk in that game that just got tackle after tackle.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>He might be undersized, but man, I love the physicality this kid has in his plethora, as he has well-built instincts and Gametime speed that clings to the ball carrier with all that contact he gives in his 5'8 170-pound frame. Based on what I watched in Vermillion this winter, he can also be described as an LB prospect that can carry his motor from sideline to sideline. Nathan does the little things the right way, as one of my favorite plays on tape from him is on a kickoff, where he kicks off and is the first man to get to the ball carrier with all that adrenaline he brings to the table on Friday nights.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Nathan checks into our last batch of 2023 rankings just outside our top 140 prospects in the Dakotas, as he's finally picked up a handful of NAIA offers in recent months, which is much deserved for this late-blooming senior!</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='423568' first='John' last='Parker'], WR, Sioux Falls Roosevelt (SD) 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>His tape showed off the skillsets of a solid possession wide receiver with some wiggle in his change of direction to pay off some dividends with shorter routes when you need a first down.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>John shows some good awareness of his vision within his quick route running ability and can haul those higher traffic balls with the athleticism he brings to the table. Has the ability to get creative when he needs to within his routes when the first look isn't there, which is a solid skill set to grasp as he gets to the next level. John also shows some good bursts off the top of his route and gets enough separation to beat the cornerback with his speed from the top.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>John checks in at the #140 spot, which is an ideal fit for the NAIA level within our Dakotas rankings. John is another Dakota State football commit on our list of new additions and late bloomers!</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='533129' first='Maddox' last='Kihne'], WR, Freeman Academy (SD) 2023</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/MaddoxKihne">Twitter</a> &amp; <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Jgd5f">Tape</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":536197,"width":348,"height":228,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Maddox-Kihne-crop-4480x2942-1670310790.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-536197" width="348" height="228" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Maddox is another late-bloomer on this list that got on our Prep Redzone Dakotas radar just before our Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcase in Aberdeen, as this swiss-army knife prospect showed how well on tape he can extend the field with the length of burst he has in his plethora and has the finished speed to go the distance.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>He also ran a 4.59 40-yard dash at our Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcase, which didn't just show that speed there, he also showed some high fluidity in his change of direction in-person, and that consistency shows out on his senior tape as well as he showed the ability to flip the field with all the speed and agility in his skillsets offer. I also really like Maddox's locked-in awareness with his route-running.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The recent Dakota State football commit flies to our rankings at #111. In my eyes? The Trojans got an absolute steal in this young man, as I think he adds a ton of value with all his offensive skillsets in his wheelhouse. One more rankings update would have put this young man likely in my Top 100 prospects in the Dakotas.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Aydan Beckedahl, DL, Minot (ND) 2023</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/AydanBeckedahl">Twitter </a>&amp; <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2JcUrg">Tape</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>As a legit 6'4 330 pounder (no typo), Aydan rose up as a new addition to our recruiting board based on how much instinct this kid has for that all that size he carries with him, as he shows off quick reactive steps, getting from his defender to the ball carrier within a knick of time.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Despite that massive frame, Aydan has zero problems with his mobile footwork and can make his way to the other side of the inside box and make a tackle, not something you will commonly see in a young man with that size as he's got a bigger motor than most kids I have evaluated at this similar size throughout the Midwest. He can develop even a stronger pull-off with his shedding ability when he gets to the next level, but you can beat just how much strength this young man has, especially on tape, when he gets his chance to bull rush up the A-gap. Shows off a lot of bounce when maneuvering thru contact to get into the backfield.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Aydan checks into our rankings at #79 overall, recently picking up a hometown offer from Minot State, and could certainly see more D2 and NAIA attention before National Signing Day in February. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='441934' first='Will' last='Mehus'], DL, Fargo Shanley (ND) 2023</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/will_mehus">Twitter</a> &amp; <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2JUJJ5">Tape</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":607441,"width":343,"height":225,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Will-Nehus-rotated-crop-469x308-1674194395.jpg?w=468" alt="" class="wp-image-607441" width="343" height="225" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>One of my biggest treats this fall was uncovering the late-blooming talent of Fargo Shanley defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='441934' first='Will' last='Mehus'], who, in that game against Fargo South, had a field day coming off the EDGE with his speed and very powerful running motor.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>He shows off an instinctive stance out the gates, and watching his swift shedding ability to get blockers out of his way and give him a free pass to the ball carrier in that game and several others throughout the Deacons state championship season is why this young man has a couple of Division II offers in his plethora that he didn't have yet that fall, but after watching his upside before the Shanley game I took in live, I knew I had to get him on our Prep Redzone Dakotas radar, and his play during that game was spectacular and lived up to the hype I saw on tape. Will also has super aggressive hands to dethrone the offensive linemen to the turf, which is another asset to his game of how physical he is for his 6'2 230 pound frame.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Will checks into our Prep Redzone Dakotas rankings at #73 overall, which is in a perfect spot to gain him more attention in the NSIC, which would be a perfect fit for this late-blooming DE that had a big-time senior season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->