South Dakota: 2023 Season Stockrisers, Part I

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SOUTH DAKOTA--</strong> Which South Dakota prospects rose their stock during the 2023 season? In this Part I series, we look at the most serious contenders flooded with talent across 11AA and 11AAA that really took their game up a notch as we just about turn the corner into this week and next week for playoffs getting started.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"Even though Cade is not playing his next-level position as a senior, he certainly showed off in my eyes this season that this young man is an outstanding competitor no matter where he is on the field. He has been a huge asset with his athleticism he shows off at the quarterback position as his mobility has created plenty of sparks based on the rushing yards I have seen him put up every week. The agility he has at his disposal showed off some edgy change of direction in the reps I have watched out of Cade and the Governors this season. I already loved this kid's character when I met him a couple summers ago and I certainly believe being the ring leader of the Governors offense at QB1 has built some more excellent character and team-building traits that the Northern State Wolves are going to love having in their locker room.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["205260"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Sam is a 2025 quarterback prospect that had some big shoes to fill as first year starter for Harrisburg and as our #1 overall prospect in the state of South Dakota, but the regular season end result positioned right as we expected. It took him just two starts to break older brother Jacob's passing yards record in a game, which was intriguing as heck to watch play out. He got faster with his release from season start to season end, he developed sound mobility throwing from the run outside of the pocket, and certainly improved his arm strength and ball placement as well. Even though Sam is our QB1 in the Dakotas, I still see plenty of growth left in his game to develop and although I am sure there were doubters seeing him in that #1 spot in his class with no varsity tape yet out there, however he lived up to the hype and exposure I expected, which is why we believe so heavily at PRZ, evaluating prospects on their next-level potential, which Sam has been an example of that this season.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["174166"],"_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":"After watching Dawson shine at the Augustana prospect camp this summer, I had it ingrained in my brain that he was due for a BIG senior season, and that couldn't have been more true. Dawson has gotten extremely instinctive on both sides of the ball and was dynamic defensively regardless of the coverage he was lined up in. Another skillset that popped out during my time in Sioux Falls this summer that equates to the 2023 season is how much more physical Dawson has gotten since I started watching him a couple summers ago as a 6'0 185 pounder that plays way above his measurables with the big motor he plays with downhill. He also has grown smoother technique in his senior season from his positioning to his ball-tracking ability. Dawson may have a handful of offers, but he still is under the radar in my eyes on his recruiting trail.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["397692"],"_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":"Another 11AAA prospect that has risen up my radar in the 2023 season is Brandon Valley OC prospect [player_tooltip player_id='397692' first='Jack' last='Tews']. After watching Jack a couple PRZ Dakotas Showcases ago, I love the development I have seen with his first step into his blocker as although he's added frame since then (6'4 305) I still see much more explosion in his first strides on tape. He has also grown more feisty with his hands and has developed his pad level down since my last evaluation at the center position. You can tell based on the tape that Jack has grown his awareness as a run-blocker as his footwork have a quicker twitch and creates more explosiveness to blow his blocker downward within a quick pinch. The strength he's packed has more control and it's no wonder Jack has gotten a Missouri Valley offer along with NSIC and NAIA offers as his skillsets have grown a bunch since last summer of camps.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["174176"],"_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":"A middle linebacker prospect that I have seen develop this season in South Dakota is Watertown 2024 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='174176' first='Austin' last='Johnson']. Austin is a prospect that has developed a more twitchy release point out of stance and in my eyes since last fall and has certainly developed this season with his vision in the run game and cause some pains in the backfield. He's also grown getting off blocks quicker and has a downhill motor that is a fun tape to watch at 6'2 200 pounds. Austin has ball-hawk capability that is always in the mesh of the tackle box and has grown his strength with his contact level certainly this season. Somehow, Austin is still hunting for that first offer and in my eyes, is a hidden gem out of Watertown.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["997454"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_player_featured_image":1049995,"_player_evaluations_5_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Another Watertown prospect that had an impressive 2023 season is junior DT/OL [player_tooltip player_id='997454' first='Micah' last='Hach']. Micah shows more a more agile motor than the average football fan might see, but I like his mobility at defensive tackle getting underneath the pads of his blocker to find his presence in the heart of the ball carrier which has been consistent this season. Micah also comes with excellent vision that whether around the edges or the inside, he always seems to be positionally in the right spot at the right time which points at his growing football IQ the Division I coaches are starting to see. He also shows efficiency coming down quick with his hands to get off his blocks and throughout the season, I have seen that speed improve. There is a reason why Micah was one of the 2025 South Dakota classes quickest risers within our top 10 as a newcomer. u003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/HachMicah58694u0022u003eTwitteru003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["1027999"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_player_featured_image":1049989,"_player_evaluations_6_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"I have persistently seen Governors Head Coach Steve Steele call out his tight end position on his Gov Mountain Builders each week, and one underclassmen name I have found commonly on that list is 2027 TE prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1027999' first='Cooper' last='Terwilliger']. At already 6'5 210 pounds, Cooper shows off his long stride mixed in with a well-seen burst with his route-running ability. Cooper might play the role of a tight end, but he certainly has wide receiver speed that pops out quickly out of his first step and he already shows finesse athletically making high-traffic catches look routine. I also believe playing alongside NDSU commit and our TE1 in the 2024 class, u003cstrongu003eJett Zabelu003c/strongu003e is enhancing this young man's development at a quicker rate. When I told my Prep Redzone NEXT scout Al Pops about Cooper last Spring, he was as ecstatic as I was for this young man's future as one of the top prospects in the Dakotas in my eyes as we finishing building out our 2027 classes this winter. u003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/CooperTerwilli1u0022u003eTwitteru003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-652f540f86ae1"} /-->