SD Breakout Prospects- 2025
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Closing out the ‘Breakout Prospect’ series with the Class of 2025 in South Dakota. Another talented group of athletes to pick from that were a lot of fun to write about. The depth of talent in each position group of…
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Continue ReadingClosing out the ‘Breakout Prospect’ series with the Class of 2025 in South Dakota. Another talented group of athletes to pick from that were a lot of fun to write about. The depth of talent in each position group of this class is impressive and will be exciting to watch in the 2023 season! Take a look at the potential ‘Breakout Prospects’ below!
Lincoln Semchenko Lincoln Semchenko 6'4" | 290 lbs | OL Sioux Falls Christian | 2025 State SD (OL), Sioux Falls Christian, Highlights
Semchenko is a lineman you would describe as brute strength. He does an excellent job getting his leverage after engaging the defender and winning the battle. Digging in his heels and stopping the opposing lineman cold in his tracks and finding a way to bury him into the turf each and every play. Lastly, he does an excellent job both leading wedge blocks through each level, as well as climbing levels and latching on for a good, clean block.
Israel Ouverson Israel Ouverson 6'2" | 285 lbs | OL Madison | 2025 State SD (OL), Madison, Highlights
Ouverson is a very athletic LT. A big man that can move is always an offensive coaches dream. His feet are really quick off the snap that he is in position to make blocks almost before the defense can react. The precision in his footwork make him a great pass blocker as well as his foot drive leading the charge in run blocking. Lastly, his pad level and hand technique make him nearly impossible to beat in the trenches for the defense.
Holden Havlik Holden Havlik 6'3" | 210 lbs | QB WWSSC | 2025 State SD (QB), WWSSC, Highlights
Havlik is a QB that needs to be on everyone’s radar this season. He has all the intangibles of a scary QB at the high school level. His accuracy on all of his passes are top-notch, you will not see him miss his receivers often. I like his footwork in his drops as he gets his reads. His throwing motion is really smooth and quick, putting a lot of zip on his passes as well. On short passes, he squeezes the pass through some tight windows with precision. His key factor is he led his receivers on every pass.
Rylee Veal Rylee Veal 6'1" | 195 lbs | RB Harding County-Bison | 2025 State SD (RB), Harding County-Bison, Highlights
Veal will be a 9-man ‘hidden gem’ in his Junior Season. The kid has impressive size and build already. Now add in his athleticism and muscle, he will become a nightmare for opposing defenses. Following his blocks well, and using his leg drive and balance to fight through arm tackles. On each carry, he finds his way into the second and third levels once he is able to accelerate. Not just using brute strength all the time, he has the agility to make a man miss in the gap, then gash the defense for a big gain.
Zane Backous Zane Backous 6'1" | 200 lbs | LB Aberdeen Roncalli | 2025 State SD (LB), Aberdeen Roncalli, Highlights
Backous really showed physicality in a game I watched of his last season. I could really see his LB instincts and quick reaction times once he got his read. Adding in his quickness and physicality with blockers and ballcarriers, and he was a force to be reckoned with. His confidence grew as the game went on. I really liked watching him time up snaps and get into the opposing backfields untouched. Lastly, he always delivered a hit to the ballcarrier before they could get up to speed.
Simon Kieffer Simon Kieffer 5'11" | QB Rapid City Christian | 2025 State SD (QB), Rapid City Christian, Highlights
I watched one of Kieffer’s games last year and was more impressed the more he got into his rhythm. A lot of raw athleticism in his game, with a year of experience under his belt now he will have a lot more confidence. Showing his playmaking ability with his scrambling skills and poise to keep his eyes downfield and deliver a nice pass to his target. Lastly, his accuracy and zip on his deep passes make him a problem for the opposing secondaries.
Sullivan Schlimgen Sullivan Schlimgen 6'1" | 215 lbs | ATH O'Gorman | 2025 State SD (ATH), O’Gorman, Highlights
Schlimgen emerged as a reliable target this past season. Getting out on his routes hard and running them with precision got him enough space to make plays for his QB. Showing his versatility in the offensive unit by splitting out wide, or down in the three-point stance, and still making big catches. Like any good receiver, his speed and hands had him making impressive plays each time the ball came his way. Lastly, his ‘it’ factor is his concentration on the ball with multiple defenders around.
Gunnar Swift Gunnar Swift 6'2" | 215 lbs | LB Brandon Valley | 2025 State SD (LB), Brandon Valley, Highlights
Swift exploded onto the scene in his Sophomore campaign for the Lynx. His instincts, physicality and awareness were on full display in his tape. I really like his scraping across formations and his angles to the ballcarrier while avoiding blocks. The tighter the field position, the better he played it seemed like. In goal line situations, his reaction times were incredibly quick and he found the ballcarrier in the backfield on most plays. His ‘it’ factor would be his form tackling on each an every back, no matter the size.