Prep Redzone Dakotas Combine: Meet the Defensive MVPs
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SIOUX FALLS— A couple nights ago we met the offensive MVPs and evaluated what they showed off to win their MVP awards. Now on this Thursdays night, after a great Timberwolves win in Game 6, we meet the Defensive MVPs…
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Continue ReadingSIOUX FALLS— A couple nights ago we met the offensive MVPs and evaluated what they showed off to win their MVP awards. Now on this Thursdays night, after a great Timberwolves win in Game 6, we meet the Defensive MVPs which made me think that this is not a defense I would want to face come next-fall. With 2025s that should have been offered yesterday, 2026s and 2027s on a fast track to be early offer targets, and more. Time to unleash the “Dawgs” as they say, that ran the show well at our Prep Redzone Dakotas Combine.
Defensive Line MVPs:
Karter has seemed to be a hot-commodity already this Spring at the few camps I have tracked him at and that certainly didn’t change at our Prep Redzone Dakotas Combine, as he is now a 2-time back to back DL MVP. From what myself and our silent evaluator saw out of Karter, is he has created more athleticism and improved testing numberssince December, but yet has added almost 10 pounds to his frame too which was good to see. Karter has become more elusive with his hands in drills, and my eyes thought he has developed his footwork with more dexterity when turning the corner to get to the ball carrier. Karter also has been one that has great pad-level for his age and I felt his instincts had improved since last December in Jamestown. Our DL2 in 2026, looks like an early offer target in my eyes out of Groton, SD (population 1380) as this kid has constantly went up against bigger competition and constantly rose his stock over the last handful of months and counting.
Highlights
The second horsemen of our DL co-MVPs was one that was inches from getting it in Jamestown in December, but after developing further skillsets since then,
Ian Schweigert
Ian
Schweigert
6’2″ | 275 lbs | DL
Bismarck Century | 2027
ND
of Bismarck Century took it home on Saturday. One of the youngest MVPs we have ever had at our Dakotas Combines, if you didn’t know Ian, saw his body type, or his skillsets you would think he was an upperclassmen, but the truth is, he is just an incoming sophomore. At 6’1 275 pounds, Ian shows off one of the biggest motors I have ever uncovered as a freshmen in the Midwest, as this kid never lets any rep go to waste. He has massive hands and that paid off dividends with combining his plethora of moves he has at his disposal. Ian seems like a home run to get an early offer as one that also has Division I football pedigree in his family. Great character too, that still has great upside to climb to with all the years of HS football left.
Highlights
Linebacker MVP:
If there was a linebacker I wanted to see pop some pads on Saturday it would have certainly been our Linebacker MVP hailing from ND hotbed Bismarck Century in
Olav Taylor
Olav
Taylor
6’0″ | 210 lbs | LB
Century | 2025
ND
in the 2025 class. Every coach I talked to said this kid passed the eye-test upon arrival, as there was no fluff whatsoever either with Olav’s check in measurables. Watching Olav in drills, sawed off a LB prospect that was consistently excellent with his pad-level and the heavy-handed contact he made into the bag certainly had some great strength that came with it. Olav’s insulated vision also struck a chord with myself and those coaches in attendance as our LB1 at our combine as one that was instinctive with his athletic movement and there was a suddeness to his first steps to the ball that showed out to those in attendance. If I had a chance to offer a target after their camp performance on Saturday, my offer would have been to Olav on defense as I thought he was the most next-level ready prospect in attendance, and as a two-time state champion wrestler, you know this young man does everything with high work ethic. Olav also had A-grade character as well.
Highlights
Defensive Back MVP:
DK Gora made the most of his 4.5 hour drive from Stillwater, Minnesota to come into our Dakotas Combine as our Defensive Back MVP. Some dudes just smash the eye test when they walk in, and DK is one that showed off quickly just off a rep or two. You could tell his ball-tracking skills showed off natural athleticism, as DK was consistency the most sensible defensive back with his feel around the pass-catchers he went up against. The explosiveness DK showed off in testing was most dominant in the broad jump as he posted one of the highest numbers at 9’5 amongst the group. DK holds one NSIC offer thus far, but this young man is going to have a big summer on the camp circuit, mark my words.