North Dakota State Championships: Top LB/DBs, Part I

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='725783' first='Bradyn' last='Bossert'], DB, Velva-Drake-Anamoose-Garrison 2025</strong> <a href="https://x.com/BossertBradyn">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1566686,"width":"317px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/11/Bradyn-Bossert-crop-339x223-1732570640.jpg?w=338" alt="" class="wp-image-1566686" style="width:317px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bradyn is one of our top defensive backs still available in our North Dakota 2025 class. The 5'10 185 pounder showed off great ball-tracking and a lot of stickiness in his pass coverage on his key interception he had against Kindred last Friday. We also saw the football IQ come out on numerous reps we got to watch from Bradyn, as the young on either side of the ball plays with a presence that you want on your college roster next year. His agility also popped out against Kindred showing off the change of direction that could be key in your secondary. Just one offer at the next-level right now, but I could see that changing over the coming weeks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='210459' first='Benjamin' last='Schepp'], DB, Velva-Drake-Anamoose-Garrison 2025</strong> <a href="https://x.com/schepp_ben">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1566687,"width":"332px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/IMG_8591-rotated-crop-481x316-1732570692.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1566687" style="width:332px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ben is a prospect you see twice on our content from the Dakota Bowl, as another member of the Aggies secondary that showed off everything he had on both sides of the ball to get the Aggies the 11A state championship. I loved watching Ben's instincts during this game which showed out on multiple occasions on both sides of the ball. He logged two key interceptions for the Aggies defense and with his range he showed off in pass coverage, surely looked to be the most promising athlete on the Aggies defense. What Ben showed off in that 11A State Championshp game, is how much position flexibility he has to bring to a next-level program. He is one our biggest 2025 sleepers in North Dakota, with no offers that we can track at the moment but would be a great fit at the Division II level in eyes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Myles Thielges, DB, Kindred 2027 </strong><a href="https://x.com/myles_thielges">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Myles in my eyes is going to be a 2027 defensive back to watch for in the coming years for the Kindred Vikings. The 5'10 170 pounder showed off as a DBprospect that plays way bigger than his measurables and shows off growing fundementals and great upside with his football IQ brewing. Defensively in my live eval, Myles shows off what looks like a heavy-hitter when it comes to his contact level on tackles upcoming in the Vikings secondary. On both sides of the ball too, this kid impressed me with his pad-levels and strength in his hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1027992' first='Brooks' last='Bakko'], DB, Kindred 2027</strong> <a href="https://x.com/BakkoBrooks">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1566688,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/11/Bakko-crop-339x223-1732570789.jpg?w=338" alt="" class="wp-image-1566688" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I had been hearing what an impact Brooks was all year as one of the top cornerbacks in 11A even as a 2027 prospect, but one that is surely on the rise after getting his live eval in Fargo. There was a reason why you did not see the Aggies target Brooks hardly at all in the 11A state championship game, as not only does he lead the Vikings in interceptions in 2024, his length, overall balance in pass coverage, and quick instincts didn't give the Aggies hardly any good reads to throw it Brooks's way for any reason. The 6'5 190 pounder was in my eyes just pure sticky in coverage and is one that I will repeat myself in saying should get some D1 football offers sooner rather than later, as he just got back from a visit to Minnesota in what looks like the most loaded 2027 class the Dakotas has to offer thus far.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1222779' first='Tanon' last='Johnson'], LB, Kindred 2026</strong> <a href="https://x.com/Tanonjohnson55">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tanon was a late season riser in the 2026 class for the Vikings and one that showed off a good base of skillsets I wanted to see in the 11A state championship game in Fargo. The first skillset that popped out with Tanon is his vision, as you can visually tell pre-snap this young man knows where the ball is headed and gets his good sized strides to the ball carrier early and shows off the range too at middle linebacker to get to the edges with sound pursuit angles. The tape shows off plenty of balance you want to see from the MLB spot, as Tanon shows off pressing footwork which releases with great change of direction when attacking the ball and the balanced hands you want too while getting off blocks. I like the upside for this 6'1 205 pounder heading into his senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='725845' first='Bradyn' last='Collier'], LB, New Rockford-Sheyenne-Maddock 2025</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bradyn was a linebacker that was all over the field for the Rockets last Friday. The 6'0 185 pound linebacker was also their leading tackler for the Rockets as a stat stuffer on their defense. From what I recall in my notebook, Bradyn showed off some sideline to sideline presence and surely stoodout with his blasting contact level along the edges of the field. Unfortunately can't find any tape since 2022 on Bradyn, but man did this young man lay it all on the line in his last high school football game as an under the radar linebacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Grant Engebretson, DB, New Rockford-Sheyenne-Maddock 2026</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of two Engebretson's that were impactful to this Rockets defense and good news for their fan base, they will return one back in 2025 in Grant Engebretson. What did this junior show us on the field last Friday? Much like his older brother, Grant plays with a chip on his shoulder when he makes contact, as I don't think I have seen a forceful 5'10 160 pound tackler like that in a while from scouting with PRZ. Grant also was a DB prospect that made an impact off the stat sheet for the Rockets to bring him that 9-man state championship. Grant will be one to watch surely in what is a great 2026 class upcoming for the Rockets to possibly repeat next year in 9-man.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Brayan Karlgaard, LB, LaMoure-Litchville-Marion 2025</strong> <a href="https://x.com/BrayanKarlgaard">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brayan was a 6'3 190 pound linebacker that from what I watched in the FargoDome last Friday, created a presence in pass coverage. At that size mentioned, I was impressed with his change of direction as a linebacker I was unable to find tape on prior to the 9-man game. Brayan was the only Loboes defender that was able to create a turnover and one that has caught the eyes of our Prep Hoops Dakotas scouts in recent months a player to watch this winter as Brayan appears to be a sound multi sport athlete.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1320071' first='Colby' last='Thielges'], DB, LaMoure-Litchville-Marion 2027</strong> <a href="https://x.com/Colby_thielges">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Colby was by far one of my highest graded Loboes defensively in the 9-man final last Friday in Fargo. Sure, he was their leader of tackles too, but I was impressed with the continued drive and high effort in what was a lopsided state championship game, but this sophomore just kept playing his heart out till the end. He stood out athletically as a 2027 athlete I need to add to our 2027 North Dakota rankings upcoming ,due to the twitchy suddenness that Colby plays with when he attacks the ball, which appeared quickly and constant for this 6'0 170 pounder. He surely has a shot in my eyes to be one of the 2027 defensive backs so far in that class in my eyes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->