2024 Preseason Preview: Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Very few programs in Minnesota have as storied a history as the Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders. Multiple state championships, D1 recruits, everything you could want from a program, they've had it. In 2024, the Raiders have become revamped and reloaded. They are chock-full of talent on both sides of the ball and are coming in hot ahead of next season. Meet the 2024 Raiders!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>LB: [player_tooltip player_id='743268' first='Jaydn' last='Harris'] 5'11" 200 lbs 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following a dominant junior year where he recorded 107 TTck, 14 TFLs, 2 INTs, and 3 sacks all in 9 games, <strong>Harris</strong> has cemented himself among the top LB prospects in the state. So it was no surprise that <strong>Harris</strong> recently received an NSIC offer from Southwest Minnesota State. His tape reinforces what the numbers imply, which is that <strong>Harris</strong> is a dog. He easily flows from alley to alley and consistently performs perfect-form tackles. He adapts well to the ever-changing nature of a football play, and should once again find himself among the state's leading tacklers next season as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>OL: [player_tooltip player_id='1202046' first='Noah' last='Hayes'] 6'8" 345 lbs 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A mammoth of a prospect hailing from central Minnesota, <strong>Hayes</strong> is an absolute unit who can ruin any defender's day once he locks onto their pads. He's a monster in the run game, where Hayes can utilize his power to molly wop any defender unlucky enough to find themselves in his way. He also has positional versatility as he's able to play interior or exterior on the offensive line. Sometimes prospects his size struggle to get to the second level of defense, but that's something that Hayes manages to do repeatedly throughout his tape. You can't coach size, and Hayes has plenty of it, a high-upside prospect at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>OL/DL: [player_tooltip player_id='641227' first='Geno' last='Bieter'] 6'5" 250 lbs 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another huge offensive lineman returning for the Raiders this season is OT [player_tooltip player_id='641227' first='Geno' last='Bieter']. Bieter brings a lot to the table in terms of technique. Quick feet was the first thing that jumped out to me on his tape, often you'll see bigger prospects struggle with foot speed, but Bieter faces no such issues. He consistently gets to the second level when run blocking, and keeps a low pad level when he's driving defenders downfield. When he's lined up on the other side of the LOS, Bieter boasts a nasty swim move and is a massive pain for defenders to try to clear from a gap. He's a threat on both sides of the ball for any team in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>RB: Tommy Sticha 5'9" 170 lbs 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The returning RB1 for the Raiders, <strong>Sticha</strong> rushed for 330 yards with 3 TDs on a solid 4.9 YPC. He also put up over 130 receiving yards with two additional receiving touchdowns. The first thing you realize from watching his tape is how much grit he has. <strong>Sticha</strong> never stops moving his feet, especially when contacted by a defender. He's quick to get north and south and once he hits the line of scrimmage, <strong>Sticha</strong> hits the hole at 100 mph. I could best describe his playstyle as a quick one-cut back with receiving upside. <strong>Sticha </strong>runs a nasty wheel route and has torched defenses numerous times with it before. He's a dual threat from the backfield that deserves more attention. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>RB: [player_tooltip player_id='1255140' first='JaDale' last='Thompson'] 5'10" 195 lbs 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The returning RB2 for the CDH Raiders, <strong>Thompson</strong> racked up 254 rushing yards with 3 TDs on 4.4 YPC as a sophomore. The first thing I noticed about him on his tape is how quick and explosive he is. <strong>Thompson</strong> boasts quick-cut abilities which he's seen great success using at or near the line of scrimmage. When he's given the rock in between the tackles, <strong>Thompson</strong> can use his previously mentioned speed and agility best to make big gains quickly within the first 5 yards of the LOS. <strong>Thompson </strong>should provide a key part of what looks like a mean 1-2 combo out of the Raiders backfield next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>DB/WR: [player_tooltip player_id='1120511' first='Amari' last='Muhammad'] 5'7" 145 lbs 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Amari <strong>Muhammad </strong>has slowly been accumulating hype building ahead of what many view as a potential breakout season on varsity. He doesn't have a ton of film on standby at the moment, but from what he does have you can tell he's quick. <strong>Muhammad</strong> can play well on both sides of the ball and is a name to keep an eye out for ahead of this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>QB: [player_tooltip player_id='592229' first='Izaak' last='Johnson'] 6'3" 185 lbs 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I am very excited to see <strong>Johnson</strong> finally take hold of the reins of a varsity offense this fall, and I'm confident he'll leave a lasting impact on fans and coaches alike. He's got a solid frame on him already, and his sophomore tape is electric. <strong>Johnson </strong>boasts a big arm and stunning ball placement on deep passes. He's insanely accurate and looks to be a great decision-maker on tape. He stares down pressure and doesn't flinch as defenders close in, <strong>Johnson</strong> is willing to get rocked if it means that he's going to make a big play. He's eager to stretch the field and could provide a unique challenge for defenses this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>DB/WR: [player_tooltip player_id='592224' first='Daniel' last='Tolson'] 5'8" 130 lbs 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've been on the Daniel <strong>Tolson </strong>hype train for over a year now, and I'm not getting off of it any time soon. I believe that he has legitimate college potential on either side of the ball, and I think he's going to prove that during his junior year. <strong>Tolson </strong>recorded over 120 receiving yards as a sophomore but saw most of his time on varsity as a DB. Speed is one of his most defining traits on either side of the ball. He's consistently able to match pace with a wideout downfield and doesn't provide them with an inch of separation in man coverage. When he's tackling, <strong>Tolson</strong> is aware that he is usually not the bigger athlete and wraps up low. <strong>Tolson </strong>is in the perfect position for a breakout season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->