South Dakota Under The Radar Prospects (2024)
After the 2024 rankings came out, I decided to take another quick sweep and find some hidden gems. I don’t know if it’s because I like defense, or if its a coincidence that most these athletes are on the defensive…
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Continue ReadingAfter the 2024 rankings came out, I decided to take another quick sweep and find some hidden gems. I don’t know if it’s because I like defense, or if its a coincidence that most these athletes are on the defensive side. I tried to stay in Classes 11AA and 11A just because those classes are a little smaller team-wise. Reasons we may miss some kids early, is depending on when they get their film uploaded to Hudl, or we can’t find them on social media. Each of these kids should have a great Senior Season in 2023! Check them out below!
Simon Hendricks (LB)- Watertown, Highlights
Hendricks has the film that is a lot of fun to watch for a defensive mind. He flies around the field and gets the job done on each play. When he makes his read, he reacts and flows to the best spot to make a play on the ballcarrier. Once he gets to the ballcarrier, he does an excellent job sizing him up and delivering a good hit. I like when he blitzes and just bullrushes the O-line with a head start. Once he drives the lineman back a couple yards, he sheds them quick and still finds the ballcarrier for a tackle for loss. Lastly, I like his motor to not give up on a play not at him, and still chasing the play down.
Carter Turek (OL)- Tea Area, Highlights
Turek is a guy you want your offense running behind for a lot of the game. He does an excellent job getting that initial push off the snap. His quick first step and low pad level helps him win the battle in the trenches constantly. Once he latched on to his defender, he kept spinning his wheels until he buried his guy. If he didn’t win the pad level game, his muscle took over in a big way. He kept a good, wide base and then drove through his stalemated defender. I really liked his awareness on each play. It seemed like he knew exactly where his backs were at all times and knew where to direct his defender accordingly.
Ethan Houtman (LB)- Brookings, Highlights
Houtman is going to make a lot of noise on the defensive side of the ball this season. Watching him fly around and make plays in both the pass and run game is a lot of fun to watch. He gets really good depth on his pass drops and gets himself right in the passing lane. When he blitzes, he does well both off the edge and in between the tackles. He times the snaps up really well and gives himself a good head start before the snap, making him very difficult to block. When he gets by unblocked, he has a great nose for the football. Once he gets to the ball, he causes havoc by either drilling the ballcarrier, or knocking the ball free.
Shaylor Platt (RB/LB)- Yankton, Highlights
Platt is a kid I would describe as a bulldog on both sides of the ball. His stalky frame makes him a very reliable ballcarrier that can hurt a team with speed, or muscle. He does an excellent job finding his gap and hitting it at full speed. If a defender pops up in his way, he will run right through them and gain another 4-5 yards on the carry. His speed carries over really well on defense as well. When he blitzes, there is no escaping him. If the pass isn’t out quickly, the QB is going to get hit. He can also be a problem defending passing lanes and running with receivers too. The strength helps with shedding blocks and making bug tackles.
Chet Carda (LB)- West Central, Highlights
Carda played great in the 11A State Championship game. After watching his tape, I’m disappointed I didn’t follow him early in the season. The kid flat out made plays for the Trojans’ defensive unit. You can tell he has a wrestling background every time he makes a tackle, so smooth and quick on the wrap up. He has great depth before the snap, takes a great read step, and finds his way to the ball in a hurry. He is physical with every opposite colored jersey, whether they have the ball or not. I like how he sticks blockers in the gap then sheds quick to make the tackle. Very disruptive for the run game in the backfield.
Seth James (TE/DL)- Beresford, Highlights
James could emerged as a top 5 TE or DL by the end of next season. When he runs routes from the TE spot, he has a good, quick release off the snap. He hits his landmarks on his routes with speed. If his is not open initially, he doesn’t give up and finds the soft spot in the defense and makes a big target for the QB. He does an excellent job fighting off the defenders with his frame and shielding his catches. On the defensive side, his physicality shows blitzing off the edge. He engages the O-lineman well and does an excellent job keeping contain. Once he sheds the block, his wrap up on the ballcarrier is perfect for a quick takedown.
Zoan Robinson (WR/DB)- Vermillion, Highlights
Robinson should have a breakout Senior Season. His is a very good vertical threat for the offense. His running form is so quick and smooth, his speed surprises the defense in a big way. It seems he’s past the defender in 3-4 steps and at full speed on his deep routes. He runs pretty crisp routes, and finds space for the big play after the catch. I like his double moves, really selling the first move and shaking the defender with his hands and hips when hitting the second move. Defensively, the speed carries over to run with receivers and contest every catch. His hands also go well with picking off passes as well.
Kaden VanOtterloo (LB)- Sioux Falls Christian, Highlights
VanOtterloo has a lot of versatility in the box. I like how he can play at both LB and on the D-line and be effective at both. His frame sticks out right away with his height. He fills his gap and scrapes across the formation extremely well. When blitzing off the edge, he keeps a good pad level out of the three-point stance. He engages the blocker and sheds him before the block can be made. Still keeping a good angle to make tackles off the block. I like how when he comes up to fill the gaps, he breaks down his big frame perfectly to size up ballcarriers of all sizes and make a perfect form tackle.