South Dakota 2026 Rankings: Newcomers, Part II

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1274073' first='Nicholas' last='Popkes'], TE, Sioux Falls Christian 2026</strong> <a href="https://x.com/NicholasPopkes">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1539499,"width":"315px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/IMG_0879-rotated-crop-481x316-1729733920.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1539499" style="width:315px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nicholas flashed on tape when we updated the 2026 rankings due to his wirey first step he shows off. Whether it's as a pull-blocker or an intermediate route, Nicholas shows off great fluidity from start to finish on his routes. The 6'2 215 pounder also shows off a sound fire in his hips flying into his blocks and shows off a great pad-level consistently on run and pass blocks. The close versatility in run and pass blocking is also really intriguing with this young man. I believe he has already a great shot to play at the next level and is a 2026 to add to your early board now not later.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1333799' first='Devin' last='Lodmell'], ATH, Dell Rapids 2026</strong> <a href="https://x.com/devinlodmell20">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I always say the live-eval does all the just when evaluating a prospect, and that was the case this summer with [player_tooltip player_id='1333799' first='Devin' last='Lodmell'] of Dell Rapids at the Northern State prospect camp. The pure athleticism Devin showed off has progressed thus far this season, as his presence in the open field particularly around the edges. He shows off fluid change of direction with his release with his route-running and I feel his release is even seen better in a live-eval similar to what I saw this summer. Devin is certainly an 2026 athlete that shows off more durability thru contact and physical hands than pop out above his measurables. Pumped to get a end of the season tape out of this kid to watch the full growth from a summer ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422335' first='Gannon' last='Knebel'], ATH, Wagner 2026</strong> <a href="https://x.com/gannonknebel">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1337010,"width":"327px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/IMG_6024.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1337010" style="width:327px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gannon is a prospect that I have listed as an athlete, but the early tape certainly pops as a middle linebacker. What pops out right away is how elusive Gannon is with his first step and shows off great intuition with his quick vision to the ball. He also has a sideline to sideline presence that is quite impressive for his next level upside. The elusiveness pops out to for Gannon at quarterback especially around the edges of the field where he has great balance. The 6'0 195 pound is to me a hidden gem from an area of the state that gets limited traction on the recruiting trail and Gannon also impressed myself and our other scouts at the USF prospect camp this summer where we got our first look on him. Surely looks like a linebacker playing on Saturdays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1406689' first='Chase' last='DeBoer'], EDGE, Tea Area 2026</strong> <a href="https://x.com/chase_debo25020">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1539502,"width":"294px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Chase-DeBoer-crop-339x223-1729734005.jpg?w=338" alt="" class="wp-image-1539502" style="width:294px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It doesn't take long to see how fast Chase pops out on tape as a EDGE rusher. The 6'4 220 pounder from Tea Area shows some finessive moves with his excellent hands. He also has a sound twitch with his release off the snap and shows low hip flexibility getting under the pads really well for his size. The hands Chase has also show off sound technique with his excellent shedding ability. There is not a doubt in my mind this young man will be a name to know this summer that we are happy to catch of him before his exposure starts to rise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422306' first='Jase' last='Muller'], WR, Sioux Falls O'Gorman 2026</strong> <a href="https://x.com/Jase_Muller19">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1539504,"width":"294px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Jase-Muller-crop-339x223-1729734089.jpg?w=338" alt="" class="wp-image-1539504" style="width:294px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jase is one that I got some quick flashes of his skillsets during the Spring 7v7 season and one I had circled to watch in the 2024 season. The early season tape Jase impressed me with his great release off comeback routes, as this kid just has a natural feel with his positioning off the corner and I can tell has a good upside with his football IQ and quickly growing hands. At 6'3 190 pounds Jase also shows off the length I like with his catch radius as I like the versatility of his routes and which wide receiver spot he could play at the next-level. Jase also shows athletic balance with his hands to getting upfield which is yet another skillset I like next-level for this young man.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422287' first='Henry' last='Hill'], DB/WR, Rapid City Central 2026</strong> <a href="https://x.com/HenryHill2026">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1539509,"width":"304px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Hill-crop-1536x1009-1729734182-crop-640x421-1729734208.jpeg?w=639" alt="" class="wp-image-1539509" style="width:304px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The agile footwork Henry shows off is almost immediately upon rolling his midseason tape. The 6'0 155 pounder for the Cobblers also has the comeback trigger with his release point to get back over the ball quickly. Henry also shows off smooth position angles as a defensive back that seems to persistently be in the right place at the right time. He might be one of my favorite West River defensive backs in this 2026 class and has a great shot to be one our stockrisers by next update. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422321' first='Wyatt' last='Bult'], K/P, Lennox 2026</strong> <a href="https://x.com/BultWyatt">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I don't think in our 5+ years scouting specialists in the Dakotas have I found a more intriuging prospect than [player_tooltip player_id='1422321' first='Wyatt' last='Bult'] of Lennox. Watching his first two kickoffs from one of his game tapes, Wyatt showed off a squib kick and an onside kick that I felt possessed a sound amount of spin to make the ball difficult to handle for that special teams unit on not just one, but multiple occasions. Wyatt also appears to be more versatile outside of just being a specialist, as his athleticism shows off more assets too on special teams as a athlete that is not afraid to run down a return from the other side of the field. Would love to see Wyatt develop more hangtime and length on his kickoffs and the upside is high on XPs and field goals, but like I stated now twice, this kid is intriguing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->