North Dakota 2025 Rankings: The Newcomers

NORTH DAKOTA-- We introduce our newest 2025 class of newcomers to our 2025 North Dakota rankings. This list has plenty of upside and plenty of defensive prospects that are making noise as we approach the near mid-season mark in the Roughrider State.   [player_tooltip player_id='951873' first='Xander' last='Moody'], Long Snapper, Fargo South <a href="https://twitter.com/XMoody_LS">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/09/Xander-Moody-crop-1171x769-1695394311.jpeg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1007907" style="width:332px;height:218px" width="332" height="218" /></figure>   Xander as a long snapper that when you watch the tape has great persistence as a long snapper as he makes good adjustments with the speed of his snaps when needed by his good awareness of what the coverage upfront shows off. Regardless of on extra points or punting situations, he shows off a quick release and very rarely do you see on tape his holder/punter having to adjust or move to change their positioning as his snaps show off persistent fluidity. Xander consistently sets up his special teams unit for ample success and is the best long snapper the Dakotas have to offer at the next-level in my eyes.   [player_tooltip player_id='951875' first='Payton' last='Joliffe'], LB, Minot <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2KKhme">Tape</a>   The motor that Payton shows off from the start of his reps on tape show me what upside this young man has brewing into the 2023 season while we wait for his mid-season tape to show up for the Magic. Payton shows off developing vision with his path he takes to the ball as I felt with every rep I saw on tape, he became more instinctive with his ball vision the deeper I got. He shows solid depth inside with his physicality as his presence was better seen closer to the ball the more I watched his tape from last fall. He also does a solid job around the edges of the inside with stopping the run as a prospect that I would like to say will be a stockriser by our next 2025 update in North Dakota.   [player_tooltip player_id='951874' first='Tristan' last='Stallsworth'], LB/TE, Dickinson <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2KU2yE">Tape</a>   Tristan is another middle linebacker that popped out on this 2025 update with just how physical he is when he makes contact with the ball carrier, as he looks like a LB prospect with a wrestling background with how well he finishes his contact. He shows off effective hands with his shedding ability against bigger defenders as a prospect that has more strength in his upper body than he probably will get credit for with his measurables. On the offensive side of the ball that finishing ability Tristan has reminds consistent as a blocking tight end. This kid is an intriguing one, and certainly could be a stockriser with more tape hopefully coming thru from the 2023 season.   [player_tooltip player_id='951878' first='Zebedee' last='Stephens'], DL, West Fargo <a href="https://twitter.com/Stephens_Zebede">Twitter</a>   Zebedee is a great example of it's not how you start a rep, it's how you finish which he does well. He has some raw skillsets that are still getting better with his footwork and balance however, this is a DL prospect that never quits on finding the ball when it's his turn to stop the run within the first couple of yards near the backfield. I like the length I see with his striding ability around the edges as he shows that he has some lower body length that shows promising upside. He is growing with his hands as well, as a prospect that will likely go from our watchlist to our 2025 rankings by next update in November-December.   [player_tooltip player_id='951877' first='Brady' last='Steier'], DL, Bismarck Legacy <a href="https://twitter.com/BradySteier2852">Twitter</a>   I always love a defensive end that plays with depth that extends from beyond the inside box, as that certainly shows off with Bismarck Legacy DE [player_tooltip player_id='951877' first='Brady' last='Steier'] as this kid is consistently attacking the ball with his versatility on both edges of the field. Brady plays with great vision and solid hands to get off his blocks and find the ball carrier as his depth plays more like a linebacker playing in space. Looking forward to seeing more inside presence with Brady's ability as he shows with his athleticism that he could move to linebacker at the next-level at 5'10 200 pounds.   [player_tooltip player_id='951996' first='Izaak' last='Spelhaug'], DB/ATH, Kindred <a href="https://twitter.com/izaak_spelhaug6">Twitter</a>   At 6'2 165 pounds, Izaak shows off plenty of versatility on both sides of the ball for the Kindred Vikings. Izaak also shows off plenty of smooth football IQ, as every play he has made on his light tape shows off great understanding of his positioning and the poise he brings to the table within his game. I love this kid's football IQ he has shown off in the 2023 season as a playmaker on both sides of the ball that I believe has some position flexibility as we look at him as a next-level prospect with plenty of upside on tape waiting to be seen.

NORTH DAKOTA-- We introduce our newest 2025 class of newcomers to our 2025 North Dakota rankings. This list has plenty of upside and plenty of defensive prospects that are making noise as we approach the near mid-season mark in the Roughrider State.