Nate's Big Dogs of the Game: Willmar Cardinals

PRINCETON-- I take a look at some of my Big Dogs of the Game from the Willmar Cardinals, who after evaluating on Friday night in Princeton, have found they have PLENTY of under the radar prospects deserving of next-level attention.   Jackson Schnichels, WR, (2025)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/09/IMG_8907-rotated-crop-480x316-1695066678.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1000601" style="width:309px;height:203px" width="309" height="203" /></figure>   Jackson was one of my favorite wide receivers that Willmar had to offer on Friday night. He showed off great awareness with his route-running, and also showed off some intriguing hands that consistently made plays even when the ball was slightly off-line, he found a way with his instincts to go get it. At 6'2 170 pounds, Jackson is a WR to watch week after week for Willmar and one that I can certainly see playing on Saturdays in the future.   [player_tooltip player_id='348812' first='Ramero' last='Trevino'], RB/LB (2024) <a href="https://twitter.com/ramero_trevino">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/09/IMG_8906-rotated-crop-480x316-1695066723.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1000603" style="width:332px;height:218px" width="332" height="218" /></figure>   A 1000-yard rusher in 2022, Ramero showed off a 5'11 210 pound running back with plenty of durability from what I saw last Friday night. On a persistent basis, this young man was fighting his tail off for extra yards thru contact as he had 14 carries for 90 yards (6.4 a carry) versus Princeton on Friday. He showed off intriguing vision on both sides of the football from my eyes and I am certainly surprised he doesn't have his first offer yet as a contact-hungry running back that has the burst to get outside quickly.   Carter Dirkes, DB/Kicker (2024) <a href="https://twitter.com/ramero_trevino">Twitter</a>   Carter lead the Cardinals in tackles last Friday night against Princeton, and it is easy to see why when you look at the longevity of this kid's instincts on tape. He has well-balanced versatility as a defensive back that can go from sideline to sideline and can climb up a level and stop the run to provide an extra blanket for the linebacking core. Carter also was efficent on Friday night with his extra points and his 25-yard field goal which gave the Cardinals their biggest lead of the game against Princeton going into half. Carter is a prospect with plenty of athleticism to show off as a small school prospect at the next-level.   Dylan Staska, ATH (2024) <a href="https://twitter.com/DylanStaska">Twitter</a>   Dylan was another heavy hitter in the tackles department for the Cardinals on Friday night, but where he impressed me most was with his explosive trigger off the snap. Regardless if it was on offense or defense on Friday night, Dylan showed off some great agility from start to finish and had a well-finished pass break up right in front of me on an intermediate route that popped out in my eyes as he showed off a solid finish with his athleticism he showed off. Yet another Willmar Cardinals prospect is still awaiting that first offer and with the explosive skillsets he has, he should gain some further next-level attention soon especially in the MIAC and WIAC.   [player_tooltip player_id='242489' first='Hayden' last='Venenga'], OL/DL (2024) <a href="https://twitter.com/HaydenVenenga">Twitter</a>   The South Dakota State commit was the first prospect I had circled when I walked into Princeton on Friday night. Hayden showed off very reactive hands from the reps I got to watch, as a OL prospect that had plenty of speed with adjusting his hand-placement as well as a balanced pad-level that showed off plenty of instinct with the upside he has brewing heading to Brookings next year.   Cullen Gregory, QB (2024) <a href="https://twitter.com/CullenGregory05">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/09/IMG_8905-rotated-crop-480x316-1695066781.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1000606" style="width:338px;height:222px" width="338" height="222" /></figure>   Cullen by far was my selection for MVP from Willmar in this one, as he had over 300 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns on the ground against Princeton on Friday night. At 6'2 225 pounds, he was fearless outside of the pocket as nearly 200 of his 300 plus yards came from the ground. Cullen showed off plenty of aggression attacking the inside run on Friday, as he showed off how much a workhorse he was fighting for his yards, but also has plenty of fluidity in his legs to get to the open field on the outsides edges of the field. Even when Cullen was in the pocket, I liked how smooth he showed off to be with his eyes, as he had a handful of quick releases that I saw on Friday that were intriguing to watch. With this kid's size and athleticism with that size, Cullen should certainly see some next-level attention soon, as I see this young man as a diamond in the rough in my eyes.

PRINCETON-- I take a look at some of my Big Dogs of the Game from the Willmar Cardinals, who after evaluating on Friday night in Princeton, have found they have PLENTY of under the radar prospects deserving of next-level attention.