2025 Dakotas Players to Watch

Since we haven't put the 2025 Watchlist into numbers yet, this article is either based on a hunch or by inside info! I decided to list a few players that either had a good Sophomore season, or who I think will have a good Junior season.   [player_tooltip player_id='210628' first='Layke' last='Wold']- Chester Area QB, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2HxXSb">Highlights</a>   Wold had some big shoes to fill at QB from last season. Former Prep Redzone Prospect Stratton Eppard led the Flyers for three seasons and now Wold was asked to do the same. By Week 2, I'd say he got the job done. He led the Flyers to a 58-52 shootout victory over Centerville. Completing 23 of 31 passes for 449 yards and 7 touchdowns (Madison Daily Leader Sports). Wold shows great mobility and patience to let routes develop and then delivers a good pass to his receiver. He has good footwork and shoulder position to move quick and still get the ball off quick on the move, still with a lot of accuracy.   Pearce Parks- Grand Forks Red River QB, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2JbzkX">Highlights</a>   Parks did a great job stepping into the starting QB role as a Sophomore. I liked his athleticism on tape, how quick he moved around and escaped pressure. He throws a good ball, either when he plants and throws or throws on the run. His touch on his passes is good enough to hit receivers in stride on those deeper routes. He shows a quick release when he gets a pre-snap read and gets the ball out before the defense can get into position. Lastly, he showed a lot of good speed, balance and strength running the football, giving the offense another threat out of the backfield.   [player_tooltip player_id='321166' first='Riley' last='Svanda']- Tea Area RB, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2KPv1e">Highlights</a>   Svanda will be asked to step into a big role next season for the Titans. After getting a few snaps as a Sophomore, I think he will fill the RB role nicely. He is very shifty in the open field, making him very tough to contain. His agility leads to a very strong cut then quick acceleration to get into the open field. I like his patience to let the blocks develop in front of him, but also his vision to see the open allies in his peripherals. While he runs the ball well, he can also split out wide and be a reliable target. His speed translates well into route running and his hands and playmaking ability make him a good target to throw at.   [player_tooltip player_id='399787' first='Parker' last='Denne']- Mitchell RB, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2JkbYS">Highlights</a>   Watching Denne's tape, the best word I can use to describe him is; smooth. His running form is very nice and easy, doesn't look like he's going very fast, but he covers a lot of ground quickly. The big thing that stands out to me is his vision. He is always looking for that cutback lane and then hits it for a big play. I like his quick and hard cuts into the open field. He accelerates quick into the open field and really creates a big play. His strength and leg drive keeps him moving through arm tackles and extending plays. The strength and motor also keep the wheels turning, even with multiple defenders around him.   Gabe Sather- Deuel WR/DB, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16272980/Gabe-Sather/highlights">Highlights</a>   Sather received some varsity snaps as a Freshman, which played big into his Sophomore Season. He played with a lot of confidence at many different positions. At Safety, he did a good job roaming the defensive backfield and keeping the plays in front of him. He read the offensive flow to put himself in prime position to break passes up downfield. His tackling in the open field was fundamentally sound, keeping contain and bringing the ballcarrier down. On offense, he stepped into the slot and gave a good vertical threat. With a reliable set of hands and good speed, he gave the offense a big play threat each pass play.   [player_tooltip player_id='210630' first='Tanner' last='Stein']- Elkton/Lake Benton WR/DB, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Jd9Bd">Highlights</a>   Stein exploded onto the scene this season, scoring three long touchdowns in the opening game. Emerging as a favorite target throughout the whole season for the Elks. Whether it was running the deep route or short routes, he could create big plays. His speed does well to sprint pass the DB or extend the play after the catch. I liked his focus when he had defenders in his face and his ability to reel in the pass. The QB and him seemed to be on the same page on every play. When the QB would scramble, Stein seemed to be the target that he was looking for, and found. The ball was in the air and Stein was coming down with it.   [player_tooltip player_id='210636' first='Connor' last='Harrison']- Lead/Deadwood OL/DL, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Jr2mM">Highlights</a>   Harrison made some good plays on both sides of the ball. His size and frame makes him stand out on the field and he uses it to his advantage. He does a good job plugging his gap each play and not flying up field. I like his technique off the snap and how he stays square to the line of scrimmage. When he made tackles, he squared up the ballcarrier and stayed in position to make the sure-handed tackle. Offensively, it was much of the same. His pad level was good, especially in his down blocks to wash out the D-lineman. The hand placement was perfect, staying away from holding fouls, but still burying the defender.   [player_tooltip player_id='472843' first='Israel' last='Ouverson']- Madison OL, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Js2Zh">Highlights</a>   Ouverson is a very large athlete. I say athlete because the kid moves extremely well out of his OT position. His first few steps are quick and effective, getting him in the best position to make blocks. The lateral movement he makes on pass blocks is quick, making him very difficult to get around. I like his pad level on both pass and run blocking, adding his hand placement and his side of the line is very difficult to get through. His drive and hand technique work really well in driving his defender off the ball and opening the gaps for the ballcarriers.   [player_tooltip player_id='356831' first='Kodee' last='Peterson']- Bismarck Legacy OL, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Jv1X5">Highlights</a>   Peterson does an excellent job beating the defender to the point of attack. His footwork and pad level are near perfect every snap. The strength he shows after the quickness is very impressive. Not only able to start the play, but finish it too. He does a good job in his kick steps to get depth and position himself to keep the defender out of the backfield on pass plays. His motor to keep driving the defender out of the play until the play is over is also very impressive. My favorite part of his game is his ability to seal the edge to really open up the perimeter runs for the offense.   Aaron Morovits- Sturgis Brown DL, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2JsgH1">Highlights</a>   Morovits has the size to be an excellent run stopper in the middle of the defense. His quickness off the snap makes him an absolute nightmare for the opposing offenses. A low pad level and a quick first step and he slips through the gap and is in the backfield quick. If his quickness doesn't get him through the line, his size and strength do an excellent job plugging the gaps to run through. He plays with a high motor to chase down plays from behind or across the field. Lastly, I really like his angles when chasing down tackles, and his awareness to throttle down and find the ball when he doesn't get blocked.

Since we haven't put the 2025 Watchlist into numbers yet, this article is either based on a hunch or by inside info! I decided to list a few players that either had a good Sophomore season, or who I think will have a good Junior season.