South Dakota 2024 Stockrisers: Part I
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SOUTH DAKOTA– We move over to South Dakota to release our stockrisers from the 2024 South Dakota rankings. This list shows a good balance of committed FCS prospects that saw their game flourish in 2023 however, there are plenty of…
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Continue ReadingSOUTH DAKOTA– We move over to South Dakota to release our stockrisers from the 2024 South Dakota rankings. This list shows a good balance of committed FCS prospects that saw their game flourish in 2023 however, there are plenty of South Dakota prospects that are still uncommitted from this batch of Mount Rushmore State prospects. Grab a look, if you are still in the hunt as their are plenty of prospects still available that are great fits in RMAC and NSIC!
The North Dakota commit in Henry Theobald Henry Theobald 6’0″ | 160 lbs | DB Sioux Falls O’Gorman | 2024 State SD moved up double-digit spots in our 2024 South Dakota rankings as I thought he took his versatility up a higher notch during the 2023 season. Our long-lived DB1 out of Sioux Falls O’Gorman showed off growth with his excellent ball-tracking ability and also showed off how elusive his change of direction is slowing down the run game by his instincts that could easily climb into the next-level of the field on tape. Henry has some of the best footwork I have seen amongst DBS in both Dakotas as well, as an FCS commit that shows plenty of polish headed to Grand Forks next year.
Highlights
By far one of the best skill players out of West River, is South Dakota State commit Brayden Delahoyde Brayden Delahoyde 6’4″ | 230 lbs | TE Spearfish | 2024 State SD who was one of our top stockrisers in South Dakota’s 2024 class. Up 30+ spots from the last 2024 update, Brayden is one of the longest striders in South Dakota and also in the 2023 season grew with the instincts he shows off with his change of direction as his instinctive athletic movement certainly has some heavy upside heading into Brookings next year. At 6’4 230 pounds, he also has a huge catch radius that can catch any ball that comes his way and also has grown his field vision from his junior to senior season. It looks like the tight end position at South Dakota State, is certainly in great hands (no pun intended) as the Jacks reload towards a third straight FCS national championship in 2024.
Yet another 2024 South Dakota prospect that is headed to Brookings, is Dell Rapids quarterback Jackson Henry. Jackson has an absolute cannon with his arm strength even with his off-platform throws which lead the Dell Rapids Quarriers to going back to back in 11A. What shines for Jackson on tape, is his escaping ability to create much more time to throw as a quarterback prospect that has great ball placement which has improved significantly from junior to senior year. He doesn’t have a quick release, he has a rapid release on all three levels of the field, as the Jackrabbits continue to add quarterbacks that have the elusive skillsets that they have had plenty of success with over the last handful of years.
Dreavin is a 2024 running back prospect that has always had a huge plethora of speed and finish in his arsenal, but he certainly added to his skillsets to see a significant rise in his stock. The South Dakota commit in 2023 certainly added quicker instincts with his agility, as Dreavin shows that vividly on tape. I also love how much Dreavin had improved with his balance off contact on his way to a 11AAA state championship in 2023. They call this young man the “Horse” for a reason, and I believe he will show that off fluidly during his team in Vermilion in the Coyotes running back core.
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One of the first uncommitted 2024s on our list of stockrisers is Brandon Valley quarterback Jack Thue Jack Thue 6’2″ | 185 lbs | QB Brandon Valley | 2024 State SD . Jack has been in my honest opinion one of the biggest sleepers left in South Dakota’s 2024 class as he shows off excellent precision and timing on his throws on all three levels of the field. I also like this young man’s poise he has always had in the pocket from showcases, 7v7, and during the high school seasons. He also has a quick release that will continue to develop at the next level and shows off great touch throws that I have seen personally in subpar positions. Jack just received a PWO from South Dakota State after one NAIA offer, so I would assume his recruiting trail will continue to trend upwards especially in the NSIC in the coming month or so as well.
Highlights
Another uncommitted 2024 prospect that is on the rise amongst South Dakota 2024s is Harrisburg defensive linemen Max Elrod Max Elrod 6’1″ | 250 lbs | OL Harrisburg | 2024 State SD . At 6’1 240, Max showed off tons of explosive traits when I watched him at summer camps and that simply translated well-versed with his massive motor he showed off on tape in 2023. He shows off all the instinct a defensive line coach at the next-level should be looking for with his plethora of moves he has at his disposal, as he made several splash plays to benefit the Tigers defense in 2023. Max plays with excellent physicality and has a sound ceiling that translates well to the next-level and I believe he would be a great fit at a Dakotas NSIC program as he plays well outside of his measurables.
We stay in the 11AAA defensive trenches for our next prospects that made a move up the 2024 South Dakota rankings, as Brandon Valley’s Thomas Risty Thomas Risty 6’2″ | 220 lbs | DL Brandon Valley | 2024 State SD was another stockriser in our winter update. Thomas has in my eyes, one of the most eye-opening first steps to the ball amongst the uncommitted 2024s available in South Dakota as you can tell he has a big football IQ with his consistent pursuit angles around the ball. His ability to move laterally is what impresses me most about his tape, as it is clear he understands gap schemes very well. Up 20+ spots from our update from before the season, it is clear that the Division II schools are starting to take notice of what he brings to the table.