South Dakota 2026 Spring Update: Highest Debuts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SOUTH DAKOTA--</strong> To no one's surprise, this 2026 South Dakota class has plenty of newcomers that we added, as I believe we added just over 25 new prospects to our rankings database. One question that I am sure is being asked throughout the state, is which prospects that are new to our rankings were our highest debuts? We look at: the highest debut amongst tight ends since our site launched in 2020, defensive lineman with heavy upside, lack of tape so far, but passed my eye test during the live evaluation, and a 6'4 220 pound linebacker coming out of one of the most intriguing 2026 class in 11AA in South Dakota, plus much more!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1235835"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1245692,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Edly is not one that has all the tape in the world, but my live evaluation of him last fall did some justice for the 6'3 220 pound defensive end out of Yankton. Throughout the season, Edly was a DE prospect that I commonly heard his name as a top performer from our sources as looking at that body type alone screams at college programs at the next level already. Edly shows off an agile first step that carries downhill quickly as his athleticism he shows getting northbound into the backfield shows off great dexterity for his size. I would like to see more development with the use of his hands coming off the edge, as he shows off a big motor but growing out those I am sure sizable hands will make him more versatile in the trenches. Edly checks in to our 2026 rankings as DL4 in the class and #23 overall.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/YEdlytou0022u003eTwitteru003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1236460"],"_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":"I am highly intrigued with this Brookings Bobcats 2026 class especially 6'4 220 pound linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1236460' first='Bergan' last='Tetzlaff']. His first look shows off instinctive yet smooth football IQ of him in pass coverage as his positioning couldn't be more sound as I always like pass coverage on a first look from from a Dakotas linebacker as it's not always common especially with linebackers of Bergan's size. He shows off great efficency with his shedding hands with his great vision to the ball as a sideline to sideline linebacker in my eyes. Probably the most exciting newcomer amongst linebackers I have graded in the Dakotas, as there certainly is a ceiling with a knock-back middle linebacker.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/BerganTetzlaffu0022u003eTwitteru003c/au003ernrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1113091"],"_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":"Jack was one of our top defensive linemen at December's Prep Redzone Dakotas Combine in Jamestown, as this young man passed the live eval with flying colors, as we await further tape for the 6'5 215 pound defensive end. Jack shows off a powerful burst coming off the edge and I love the finish he shows off with that burst into the ball carrier with great bases of physicality. Not to mention the long-strides he shows off on his light tape allow his length to overpower and get his blocker off balanced with his developing moves. I would love to see Jack open some next-level eyes this summer, but college coaches are going to want more tape for sure. DL3 for now amongst SD 2026s, but I could see some of a jump of his overall rank by next update as Jack checks in at #21 overall.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/jmbertsch7u0022u003eTwitteru003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1103576"],"_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":"Our DL2 in South Dakota, has skyrocketed up our 2026 board which started at our Dakotas Combine in Jamestown over the winter, in which he was named our DL MVP. The athletic mobility Karter shows off for 6'3 265 shows off a quick trigger with his change of direction and carries much more range on tape than you would expect out that body type, which is why I could see Karter moving outside as a defensive end at the next level. I am intrigued with the quick bounce off he shows with shedding his hands as there is consistent instinct there. Karter has one heck of a motor that is built with high stamina paly after play and is one I will put a scholarship-level grade on already. Karter is my highest graded prospect to ever come out of Groton High since we launched in 2020 too.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/KarterMoodyu0022u003eTwitteru003c/au003ernrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1224699"],"_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":"The small schools in South Dakota really impressed me in this 2026 class, as another one that popped out was Parker QB [player_tooltip player_id='1224699' first='Landon' last='Wieman']. Standing at 6'4 195 pounds, Landon shows off a smooth pocket presence and balanced touch throws with his intermediate routes as I like the high upside this young man possessess going forward. What impresses me most from Landon is his fiery quick release as I think his tape could use an edit as I thought he threw some of his better reps later than the college coaches are going to want to wait for. He certainly shows off a next-level QB as our QB3 amongst South Dakota 2026s and is one that doesn't look like his ceiling is done yet. Checks in as QB3 in South Dakota and #18 overall.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/LandonWiemanu0022u003eTwitteru003c/au003ernrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1112592"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Prospects that come out to our Prep Redzone Dakotas as underclassmen get rewarded, as that is what happened this winter with Harrisburg running back [player_tooltip player_id='1112592' first='Josiah' last='Heinz'], as his live evaluation put him ahead of the curve, as our new RB1 in in South Dakota. I just evaluated Josiah earlier this week, so I will unlock what else I like from him on tape. His effectiveness in tight areas of operation shows off some of the best balance I have seen in the last few years from an underclassmen at tailback, as I mentioned how tolerant he is with his contact balance. His elusive traits certainly show off a Division I or II target as a running back although he does have positional flexibility as a sideline to sideline linebacker too.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/JosiahHeinz57u0022u003eTwitteru003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["1212282"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"The top TE in the Dakotas comes in as our highest debut, as Sioux Falls Jefferson's [player_tooltip player_id='1212282' first='Edward' last='Whiting'] comes into our top five at #4 overall. Edward is the most sizable TE (6'6 220) I have found in either of the Dakotas since we launched in 2020, and to my understanding is the highest ranked debut at TE in since our time started in the Dakotas. Edward shows off a well-versed release when he takes off into the open field, as he runs with deer like instincts that you commonly see out of your receiving core. His long strides show off outstanding athleticism and it is clear that Edward shows off superb field vision as well. His tape is extremely versatile too showing off later what he can do as a blocker in which he impresses me with his run-blocking ability. No question at all that Edward is a Division I target in the making, as he already has a handful of Division I coaches following him on Twitter. You can bet that Edward will be an early offer kid for sure.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/EdwardWhiting9u0022u003eTwitteru003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-661a0f763ad8b"} /-->