Dakotas Top Uncommitted ATH (2023)

This last article for the class of 2023 is the Athletes the are uncommitted. How we define an ATH is a kid that does many things well in the game of football. On many teams the best athletes, play QB and somewhere on defense, or many positions on both sides of the ball. This particular group I have mentioned in this article were each exactly that for their teams. A few I've seen early in their careers and a few I have just heard of. Either way each of these kids impressed me. Check them out below!   [player_tooltip player_id='101148' first='Justin' last='Zirpel']- West Central (QB/LB), <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10288079/63882342041e5b051c2a7eb7">Highlights</a>   Zirpel started QB for the Trojans as Sophomore. Moved to RB as a Junior, then switched back to QB as a Senior, playing defense at LB or DB the whole time as well. Bottom line for Zirpel was; he was almost always on the field! In games where Zirpel could use his legs were the games that went well for the team. He could throw a good ball in the tight windows as well. His physicality played big for him on both sides of the ball, running through tacklers or making tackles. Zirpel has a lot of character too, he led a prayer for both his team and the Dell Rapids team after the 11A Championship game this year, which I could hear up high in the stands.   [player_tooltip player_id='77462' first='Cedar' last='Amiotte']- Wall (WR/RB/DB), <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14339965/637d681d5b473a0ba05d09c1">Highlights</a>   Amiotte was a guy you want on your team. His tape has him playing center field at Safety, or locking down the other team's top target. In the 9AA Championship game I watched, he was the kid you wanted to get the ball to no matter how you did it. Majority of his snaps coming at WR, but also splitting some in the backfield. If a play was needed, the ball was getting into his hands somehow, and he always delivered. Amiotte has good size and long levers to make plays on high-pointing passes to make plays on both sides of the ball. He also has the awareness to find the flow of the offensive play, and put himself in position to wreck it.   [player_tooltip player_id='206738' first='Ethan' last='Hoffman']- Flandreau (RB/WR/DB), <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13186171/63520d841761f50508545148">Highlights</a>   Hoffman is another kid that found his way around the offensive playbook. Starting off at RB and getting a workload of carries, to splitting out wide and being a threat in the passing game. Another kid that the ball seemed to find when a big play was needed for the offense. Only question was; from which position could he best make the play? Defensively, he roamed the defensive backfield at Safety. He did an excellent job staying behind the play and making the play once the ball was in the air. His agility and speed made a big difference on both sides of the ball.   [player_tooltip player_id='56556' first='Cooper' last='Long']- Lyman County (WR/DB), <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Jqnqe">Highlights</a>   Long was a nightmare for opposing defenses. Primarily making plays in the short passing game, and turning them into a big play. Once the ball was in his hands, he did a great job making that one cut and then hitting the jets. His breakaway speed was the difference maker in plays, once he got into open space, he was more than likely going the distance. If he was being pressed, his speed off the snap helped him run right past the defender and make the big play on the deep passes. Lastly his jumping ability made him nearly impossible to cover if you could run with him.   [player_tooltip player_id='223090' first='Raymond' last='Brown']- Fargo Davies (WR/DB), <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13095879/6331144964e0630e58da61ba">Highlights</a>   I just came across Brown on our rankings list and looked at his film. Safe to say that I enjoyed it enough to put him on this list. He is very explosive, gets to top speed in a hurry and outruns his DB on each play. His running form is so smooth that the defender can't tell how fast he is running until he passes them. I like his vertical and concentration on the ball while its in the air. Another underrated quality for him is his vision, he sees the smallest of seams and makes his quick cut to get there and extend plays. The last quality I want to mention is his ball skills and knowing when to attack the football on defense, causing fumbles.   [player_tooltip player_id='395516' first='Alex' last='Tanner']- Potter County (K/P/TE/LB), <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2JjVQF">Highlights</a>   I spoke with Potter at our Aberdeen showcase. Once he said his name, I remembered watching his tape. He lists himself as a punter, but has the size to be a good TE or LB. Averaging close to 40+ yards on each punt in his film, easy to say he can flip the field and give his defense space. Back to his size, he is a very tough cover for the defenses to find match-ups for. Add a quick release off the ball and reliable hands, makes him a nightmare for the defense. Lastly, he is a very reliable tackler in the run game when he shoots gaps on blitzes.   [player_tooltip player_id='418226' first='Mason' last='DeSchepper']- Roosevelt (WR/DB), <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Jkki1">Highlights</a>   DeSchepper is another kid I hadn't heard a lot of before. After watching his tape, I am very upset I hadn't seen this kid in action. It's hard to put a position on him, he plays both offense and defense and excels at both. At WR, his height makes him a tough cover already. Add his hands and strength, he is a very good possession receiver that will extend drives on third downs. Defensively, he does a tremendous job being a pass first DB. I like the way he reads the offensive flow during a play and finds the closest guy to him and sticks to him. You can also put him in the box and have him be a run stopper as well.   Troy Kneelad- Waverly-South Shore (QB/DB), <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2JhJLx">Highlights</a>   Kneeland is another kid who's tape I found as a Sophomore. Once it was over, my first thought was 'give this kid a couple seasons and he will do something special.' Watching his Senior tape, that is exactly what happened. He worked in some pretty good technique with his raw talent and did some work this past season. I like his pocket presence and how he keeps his eyes downfield when scrambling. His footwork in his drops and on the run is impressive, along with his arm strength and accuracy makes him even better. Lastly, I like his poise under pressure to find the open guy and get him a good ball on the run.

This last article for the class of 2023 is the Athletes the are uncommitted. How we define an ATH is a kid that does many things well in the game of football. On many teams the best athletes, play QB and somewhere on defense, or many positions on both sides of the ball. This particular group I have mentioned in this article were each exactly that for their teams. A few I've seen early in their careers and a few I have just heard of. Either way each of these kids impressed me. Check them out below!