North Dakota 2024 Winter Newcomers: Nate’s Uncommitted List
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NORTH DAKOTA– Six has been our magic number this week with our Newcomers to the North Dakota 2024 rankings. With this group, we put our emphasis on the fellas that are still looking for next-level homes. By the numbers here,…
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Continue ReadingNORTH DAKOTA– Six has been our magic number this week with our Newcomers to the North Dakota 2024 rankings. With this group, we put our emphasis on the fellas that are still looking for next-level homes. By the numbers here, you have two prospects waiting for their first offer (and after watching their tape, I am very surprised) and four more that I like to call my late bloomers (first offers were this winter) and should have more attention come their way this winter. I call it my Uncommitted List.
A WR/DB prospect that shows off every ounce of springs he has in his lower body on tape, is Mandan’s Paxton Ohlhauser Paxton Ohlhauser 5’11” | 185 lbs | WR Mandan | 2024 State ND . Not only does Paxton show that off on deep and intermediate routes, he shows off durability getting yards after contact is consistently seen on tape. Defensively, I like the fluidity of his athleticism as he shows off a catchy vertical that appears to me from both sides of the ball also has a track background which should appeal to more college football programs. Super surprised how under the radar Paxton as I would jump now if I were an NAIA school at this 6’0 195 pounder with positional flexibility. Still waiting for his first offer.
A offensive line prospect I was super intrigued with during our Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcase in December was Bismarck Century’s Austin Smith Austin Smith 6’1″ | 245 lbs | OL Bismarck Century | 2024 State ND . As a 6’1 245 pound center, Austin was one that I thought played bigger than his measureables but also showed off the light feet I like out of my offensive linemen. My live evaluation last month also matches his senior tape, as Austin can constantly get into the second level and also showed a well-versed pad level within his hands. He also is an effective angle-blocker and I see good development to grow at the next-level with the sound leverage he shows off already. Another “offer now” prospect in these eyes from our 2024 rankings in North Dakota.
Another Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcase alum from Jamestown this December is Hillsboro-Central Valley’s Dylan Mitzel Dylan Mitzel 6’2″ | 170 lbs | ATH Hillsboro | 2024 State ND . Dylan is a prospect that has probably the most positional flexibility on this list, as he was a determined swiss-army knife for the Burros in his career. I believe Dylan’s best upside comes in the secondary at the next-level, as his 6’2 170 pound size pops out at safety as he has some development with his footwork, but you can see the instinct and long strides he has getting to the ball is there for the taking. Some NAIA program in North Dakota is going to get a good athlete in this young man that is still uncommitted.
It has almost become a trend since we launched our Dakotas site in 2020 that the Fargo South Bruins constantly put out speedsters which in this class of 2024 Newcomers is Duwayne Mitchell Duwayne Mitchell 6’0″ | 165 lbs | WR Fargo South | 2024 State ND . I believe Duwayne can develop as a route-runner but if you can mesh it with his speed, hands, and intriguing durability after the catch at his size (6’0 165) but as a December late-bloomer, his welcoming to the North Dakota 2024 rankings shows off Saturday’s potential with a couple local offers.
Highlights
Isaac is a 6’2 235 pound offensive guard out of West Fargo Sheyenne that impresses me with his leverage and the pad-level within that leverage. He is another OL prospect on this list that is an effective angle blocker, and has quick instincts to react when the defender throws him a move as there is plenty of athleticism built in those hands I have mentioned. I would like to see him develop a more physical finish, however I like his ability to multi-engage as he certainly has the longevity to get a fierce strike with his hands. One NAIA offer so far and I would expect his recruitment to pick up this winter.
The first Newcomer to our 2024 rankings from Grand Forks tonight, is Red River wide receiver Hayden Hong Hayden Hong WR Grand Forks Red River | 2024 State ND . The instinctive cutting ability Hayden shows off at the second level, certainly sets the tone of separation on the intermediate & deep routes, and this young man does show off some impressive length in his upper body with his catch radius, which shows off longer than the 6’1 170 pounds and you certainly see it on tape when he brings the ball in high-traffic areas which is constant. Hayden is another late-bloomer that has really well-balanced hands. Would love to see more Division II attention come his way.