Burke (SD) Cougars: New Prospects to Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BURKE, SD--</strong> We check into Burke, South Dakota (pop. 586) to take a look at some new prospects to know getting onto our radar. The 9A program out of Gregory County was 2-6 during their 2023 season, but by watching the tape of their upcoming leaders, the Cougar faithful has to be intrigued with the senior and junior talent that are next up for Cougars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Kaleb Schonebaum, DL/LB, Burke (2025) <a href="https://twitter.com/KalebSchonebaum">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kaleb does not have your prototypical defensive end size yet coming off the defensive edges, but there is plenty of upside with his vision he shows off on tape vividly. He also shows off as a prospect that moves with athleticism laterally. I also like the agility I see with his first step to the ball as a prospect that I believe plays bigger than his measurables will show you as a prospect I could see transitioning to outside linebacker with the range he shows off slowing down the run. You don't have to worry about getting constant physicality either with Kaleb, as a multi sport athlete that wrestles too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='800483' first='Gentry' last='Bartling'], ATH, Burke (2025)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The tape on Gentry jumps out early with his open field vision, which shines early in the return game. You see meshing consistency in the ground game too, as Gentry shows off one-cut halfback with his agility to show off his instinct in which he shows off patience which give credit to his football IQ as well. Gentry shows on all three levels of the field how dangerous he could be as a defined swiss army knife. Can't find a Twitter on this young man yet, but the athleticism intrigues me as a next-level hidden gem that is very very under the radar that has hit a recent growth spurt too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>John DeLong, DB/RB, Burke (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The tape on John certainly has some raw skillsets to develop, but you can tell the fluidity he shows off with his route-running is certainly a skillset I could see progression to grow. The most impressive position fit John shows off shows off at cornerback on tape, as I thought he certainly showed off good ball-tracking, vertical, and seen athleticism even though the tape is light as just a junior. John shows off a 2026 prospect that I like his future upside and I will be intrigued to watch him grow over the coming years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Iker Diaz Montilla, DB, Burke (2025)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another Burke prospect with raw tape, but you can see the upside is Iker Diaz Montilla. Iker plays with the blue-collar work ethic you want out of your linebacker and shows constantly that the his the first prospect to make contact on tape along the edges of the field. Not to mention I like the read &amp; position angles Iker shows off downfield, thinking quickly about the to get to the ball ASAP. I will need more tape for a full evaluation, but at 6'2 160 the tape should certainly grow this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->