PRZ Dakotas Big Dogs of the Week: South Dakota, Week 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SOUTH DAKOTA--</strong> This article series usually comes out Monday or Tuesday, but with some technical difficulties we rock and roll out our South Dakota Big Dogs of the Week for Week 1 or Week 2 depending who you ask. We unleash <strong>nine prospects</strong> that popped out most, and like every week as you know, there will be a fan vote as well which will be on PrepRedzone.com/Dakotas within minutes after we meet the nominees for the Mount Rushmore State in Week 1. Let's meet the squad!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Garrett Cramer","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Faulkton","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eStat Line: u003c/strongu003e177 rushing yards, three touchdownsrnrnGarrett is a new 2024 running back prospect to my radar that came alive in Week 1 for the Faulkton Trojans with the downhill athleticism he shows off. His burst certainly hits the top of his accelerator once he gets the open field after hitting into the second level, as Garrett shows off that he has another gear he can turn on when he needs to escape quickly. I also was really impressed how durable this kid is thru contact as it's very clear to me that these Trojans with their rushing attack put a premier focus this summer on the lower body with squats, etc. because the bulk of Faulkton ball carriers ran like a mack truck making contact with a small car with how much durable skillsets I saw on tape.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["105519"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":976621,"_player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eStat Line: u003c/strongu003e10/18 passing, 397 passing yards, four touchdowns.rnrnCruz by far is my favorite South Dakota Big Dog of the Week on our list. In his first game back in 673 (nearly two full years) he sparked the Chamberlain Cubs offense for 10/18 passing, 397 passing yards (Chamberlain school record) with four touchdowns. He showed off reactive awareness that could work quickly around the pocket and even in his first game back, did not fear contact nearby in higher traffic areas which shows off Cruz's excellent demeanor. Cruz showed off that big arm strength I remember at the Augustana and SDSU camps this summer, as Cruz consistently fit the ball into a bucket with his precision allowing his WR u003cstrongu003eLevi Milleru003c/strongu003e amongst others to catch and go on multiple occasions. I certainly believe Cruz can make a case for more Division II attention as a late-bloomer in his senior season.u003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/CruzSoulek15u0022u003e Twitter u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["210628"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eStat Line: u003c/strongu003e354 total yards (272 pass, 82 rush) nine total touchdownsrnrnChester Area's [player_tooltip player_id='210628' first='Layke' last='Wold'] put up a whopping nine total touchdowns in Week 1, as I continue to be impressed with this 2025 quarterback prospect with his growing poise he shows off in the pocket. He shows off a quarterback that can work quickly with his footwork and finish his throws on the run with some fluid touch persistently on his intermediate routes. He also did a solid job with his eyes, by not overselling his go-to wide receiver (even if they are wide open) by being able to improvise on the fly with his vision. Layke is certainly a 2025 quarterback that I expect to be a continuous name of our list of South Dakota Big Dogs of the Week throughout the next several weeks. u003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/WoldLaykeu0022u003eTwitteru003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["294170"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eStat Line: u003c/strongu003e203 rushing yards, four touchdowns.rnrnMason is a 2024 prospect we have evaluated as a linebacker, but what he showed off for the Quarriers against the arch-rival Madison Bulldogs at the running back position shows off some potential position flexibility at the next-level. Mason showed off an extremely agile first step and has the north-south running ability to flip the field with his fluid burst from start to finish as a prospect to my eyes as always played bigger than his measurables. I also love the patience Mason runs with around the edges of the field, as he still blossoms with athleticism with that patience while waiting for that hole to open so he can make his cut that comes with a strong instinction level. Mason also shows off a durability skillset thru the cusp of the inside box that is built to take up contact in the A-gap. Mason is another 2024 prospect that needs to be on more Division II radars for sure. u003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/MStubbeu0022u003eTwitteru003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["289640"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eStat Line: u003c/strongu003eTBDrnrnAlthough Camron's stat line will drill towards his offense, this young man certainly showed on tape in Week 1 that he looks like a next-level linebacker in these eyes. The Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcase alum, shows off plenty of power within his hands and that especially holds true when he sheds off his blocker as he does so with authority. Camron also shows off instinctive vision that has a quick trigger with his release and can cover tons of range all over the field as a 6'1 205 pound linebacker that can get from sideline to sideline. Camron also showed off how loaded his football IQ is becoming, as he shows off as consistently the first player to the ball and finishes his tackles with plenty of physicality. A top 20 overall prospect in the Dakotas, Camron should be on way more next-level radars by season end as this young man is a sleeper that shouldn't be out of Hot Springs. u003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/CamronMac1u0022u003eTwitteru003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["357349"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eStat Line: u003c/strongu003e9 receptions, 172 receiving yards, three touchdownsrnrnTytan was a hot commodity this summer on the 7v7 circuit and it didn't take him long to catch our radar in Week 1. It is no question Tytan has some of the best hands in South Dakota, that is well-known, however I was impressed in Week 1 with how dynamic Tytan has become with his vision after the catch as he showed persistently that he will use his agility and body frame to pummel for extra yards. Tytan might be just 6'1 but that catch radius he has popped out super long last Friday night against Sioux Falls Jefferson. The NSIC heavyweights are high on Tytan no doubt, but I would like to see him as a late FCS bloomer with one offer already from St. Thomas (Minn) but I expect others to get involved in the coming months. u003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/tytan_tryonu0022u003eTwitteru003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"Barret Schweitzer","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"Stanley County","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_6_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eStat Line: u003c/strongu003e190 rushing yards, 3 touchdownsrnrnBarret is new name number two on this South Dakota Big Dogs of the Week 1 list, as his 190 rushing yards and three touchdowns unloaded a major upset against De Smet in Week 1. Barret on tape, showed off a running back that has a catchy short burst that gets downhill quickly with a pitch around the edges. Barret also caught my eye with the length of his vision as he has good agility, but has longer strides than he gets credit for at 5'10 as showed that he could flip the field against a powerhouse Bulldogs program. His first steps off the snap set plenty of consistency in the Stanley County Buffs rushing attack, as Barret went from off our radar to on our radar for his performance last week. No Twitter","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["825396"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eStat Line: u003c/strongu003e24/40 passing, 214 passing yards, four touchdownsrnrnLast but not least, we meet the only 2026 prospect on our radar this week which is Centerville QB [player_tooltip player_id='825396' first='Alec' last='Austin']. As a first year starter, Alec has more finish within his arm strength on intermediate routes than you would think, as his Week 1 game against Chester Area showed that out on numerous occasions whether with heavy pressure or showing off his growing poise in the pocket to step up and throw. With Alec's excellent size and frame, he shows more adventurous angles with his throwing ability to improvise when the pressure comes his way as his 6'2 205 pound frame is well-built athletically that we have seen since Spring's PRZ Dakotas Showcase. I don't think it's too early to call that we will see this young man playing on Saturdays as his quick learning ability already as Centerville's QB1 already shows how much upside Alec will have with plenty of varsity football left to be seen. u003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/Alec_Austin_02u0022u003eTwitter u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":8,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f002d9a0328"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["305547"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eStat Line: u003c/strongu003e381 total yards, five touchdownsrnrnSome thought the Governors might take a step back this year with Lincoln Kienholz off to Ohio State, however I couldn't have agreed less with that statement once I found out who their new QB1 was over the summer in [player_tooltip player_id='305547' first='Cade' last='Kaiser']. Cade had 381 total yards with almost identical numbers rushing (191) versus passing (190) in a 32-0 win on the road against Aberdeen Central. The Northern State commit has shown me camp after camp I have seen him at how gifted his football IQ really is in any scenario you throw at him, his versatility and strong work ethic will always stand out as Cade should be another prospect you will commonly see on our South Dakota Big Dogs of the Week this fall.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f002d9a03b5"} /-->