Jake's Favorite Signings 2023 (Dakotas Part 1)

[player_tooltip player_id='418216' first='Julian' last='Scott'] (WR) Rapid City Stevens- Northern State   I was writing a multi-sport athlete article last spring with Track and Field as the featured sport. After looking through the State Meet results, Scott received a medal in many events. That right there showed me versatility and durability, then I watched his film and knew his role as a Senior would increase, which it did. Scott became a threat in both the deep and short passes. His speed he carried over from track was a huge asset on the football field as well. He created big plays and had big chunks of yardage many times. No doubt he could definitely dual-sport in college, which is a big reason why he made this list.   [player_tooltip player_id='160918' first='Owen' last='Quail'] (RB) Deuel- Valley City State   I contacted Quail after his Junior Season, which for him was cut short due to injury. He was extremely hopeful that the injury wouldn't hinder his recruiting. Which it did not seem like it did. After coming off an impressive Track season, I was able to catch him at the SDSU Prospect camp and the Dakota State team camp he definitely seemed liked he was back with a vengeance. He carried a workload for the Cardinal offense each week out of the backfield. The one game I went to watch in person, he was running through defenders and taking a beating. Still didn't stop him, kept grinding the whole season and putting up numbers.   [player_tooltip player_id='276809' first='Jayden' last='Speraw'] (QB) Minot- Minot State   I came across Speraw's film last offseason and really liked what I saw. Good footwork, arm angle and quick release made him really stand out on tape. Next came his accuracy which made his tape even more fun to watch. He did an excellent job being patient and going through his reads to make good decisions. I also really liked his poise, not panicking and keeping his eyes downfield for his guys to come open. He was mobile as well, could extend plays, but could also tuck and run for a good gain as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='56567' first='Nelson' last='Wright'] (RB) Sioux Falls Jefferson- Dordt   Wright has been a kid we've been following for a couple years. Another kid that showed out at the 2022 State Track meet. All that speed definitely translated onto the gridiron. Particularly on his long run in the 11AAA State Championship game. The Dordt Defenders definitely got a steal by adding Wright in their backfield. He also has a lot of durability and can carry a workload to get the offense moving. His versatility of adding another blocker in the backfield as well as another reliable target makes him an even bigger steal for the Defender offense. Another kid that can dual-sport in college as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='423297' first='Ronnie' last='Begalka'] (DL) & [player_tooltip player_id='360642' first='Gavin' last='Benck'] (TE) Deuel- Dakota State   I paired these two together because they are going to the same school after going to the same high school.   Begalka- I watched him at camp and in their game and he stood out on the both sides of the ball. For the defensive side however, he displayed a great deal of muscle as well as his speed and quickness off the edge. He has a good first step to give himself leverage and position to do his job and make plays. I like his pad level and technique when it comes to shedding blocks and making tackles.   Benck- Again, watched him at camp, their game, but also at our Showcase in Aberdeen. He did an excellent job for the Cardinal offense adding another blocking to the perimeter of the formation. His pad level, hand technique and footwork made him a very good blocker on the edge. Showing his versatility as well, running some routes and being a reliable target for the QB as well, which he really showed at the Showcase.   Colin Bauman (LB) Deubrook Area- Dakota State   I looked at the Deubrook Area scores and started following them after they put up a couple lopsided games. Bauman was the QB of a versatile offense, but he really shined on the defensive side of the ball. His frame makes him stand out on the field, but the number of tackles he put up made him stand out on the stat sheet. He flows to the ball very well, fills his gap perfectly and breaks down to make tackles. His strength really showed when he had to engage a blocker and shed them, but still being quick enough to break down for tackles. Lastly, he form on his tackles was perfect nearly every time.   [player_tooltip player_id='160905' first='Jed' last='Jenson'] (QB) Rapid City Stevens- Dakota Wesleyan   Jenson was one of the reasons Stevens had a good year this year. After seeing his tape, I liked his footwork and decision making. He did an excellent job showing a variety of throws on his tape. Showing that he can be accurate on throws anywhere on the field. Accurate is definitely the word I would use describing him as well. He hit a lot of his receivers in stride, which would create much big plays after the catch. His mobility worked just enough to where he could break contain if he was under pressure and give himself enough time to make a play.   [player_tooltip player_id='56559' first='Hadley' last='Wallace'] & [player_tooltip player_id='160916' first='Jackson' last='Jarding'] (RB/WR) Hanson- Dakota Wesleyan   Again these two are linked to the same college, after the same high school, but also the same position, kind of. These two gave each a good 1-2 punch when they bunched up in their double wing formation. Either one was just as big of nightmare as the other. They both have speed, but will run through you too. Both are also very dangerous threats in the passing game as receivers, but are also good blockers for each other when the other has the ball. This duo may be even more fun to watch at the next level as they were in high school!

Julian Scott Julian Scott 5'11" | WR Rapid City Stevens | 2023 State (WR) Rapid City Stevens- Northern State