2025 SD Rankings: 3×3 Stockrisers and Newcomers, Pt. 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SOUTH DAKOTA</strong>-- We go into our 3x3, which features three stockrisers and three newcomers from our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/dakotas/rankings/south-dakota-rankings/2025-rankings/">2025 rankings update</a> that was done earlier this week. We felt that this series will feature double coverage in shedding light on several 2025 prospects that are still uncommitted and looking for their home at the next-level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"24px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:24px"><strong>Stockrisers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1380144' first='Talon' last='Stief'], ATH, Sioux Falls Roosevelt 2025</strong> <a href="https://x.com/stief_talon">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1107975,"width":"312px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/42-Talon-stief-1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1107975" style="width:312px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Talon is one of my favorite uncommitted 2025s in the Dakotas I would say, and I just cannot figure out why more schools are not intrigued by this kid. His athleticism on both sides of the ball sticks out like a sore thumb as the 6'1 220 pounder has great position flexibility at the next-level which to me translates best at linebacker. He intrigues me with his agile shedding ability as a linebacker and on almost every rep I watch from tape, he shows off instinctive vision and sound physicality when he makes contact. No doubt this kid would be a great fit in the NSIC or RMAC.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1575879' first='Braydon' last='Terveen']-Smith RB, Dupree 2025</strong> <a href="https://x.com/Braydon2025">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1589624,"width":"318px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_1896-rotated-crop-481x316-1735444544.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1589624" style="width:318px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Braydon is one my biggest stockrisers on this first list from our 2025 rankings release earlier this week. If you were at our Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcase, you would know this young man had himself a day. He showed off some of the most honest measurables at our showcase and the testing results were fluid across the board for the new South Dakota Mines RB commit. The Hardrockers get a running back that is durable with getting yard after contact, and is more agile with his change of direction in our live eval than the tape shows, and too I loved watching Braydon's vision in our live eval in Aberdeen a couple weeks ago. Braydon moves up 100+ spots from last update and is the definition of what we call a senior bloomer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1293580' first='Evan' last='Gray'], LB, Brandon Valley 2025</strong> <a href="https://x.com/Evangray06">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1589625,"width":"339px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/80-Evan-Gray-crop-4813x3161-1716570628-crop-640x421-1722385906-crop-512x336-1735444615.jpg?w=511" alt="" class="wp-image-1589625" style="width:339px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you want a 2025 linebacker that is still available and plays with a excellent motor, Brandon Valley linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1293580' first='Evan' last='Gray'] could be a good fit for your defense. He is more wirey of a linebacker than you expect for his 5'11 200 pound frame and is an outside linebacker that impresses with his football IQ that he accumulates quickly in the opponent's backfield. Evan also carries as a linebacker that can play from sideline to sideline. He surprisely has light attention just at the NAIA level but I could see that amping up in the coming months as teams fill out their roster before National Signing Day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"24px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:24px"><strong>Newcomers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1556674' first='Evan' last='Stormo'], WR/ATH, Hamlin 2025</strong> <a href="https://x.com/evan_stormo">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I added Evan to my board after Augustana, who had two 2024 commits from Hamlin last year offered him in over the summer. The 9AA All-State wide receiver is a man amongst boys with his athletic movement in the 9-man game as the 6'3 195 pounder has limited recruiting attention since last summer. To be honest, the tape that Evan put together in his senior seasona at linebacker intrigues me most as he next-level position, as he appears to be instinctive with his movement, heavy with his physicality as a knock-back tackler, and gives off the sideline to sideline range and presence that pops out quickly on tape. I could possibly see Evan as a popular name in the next month if he is going to go the football route as far as next-level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1568193' first='Cayden' last='Van Horssen'], OL, Harrisburg 2025</strong> <a href="https://x.com/CaydenVH7">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It seems to happen every year at Harrisburg that a senior bloomer offensive linemen catches my attention around early to mid season and this year that was All-State offensive linemen [player_tooltip player_id='1568193' first='Cayden' last='Van Horssen']. The 6'4 260 pounder shows off a great bend to create a low pad-level at the point of attack. Cayden also shows off a good upside with his footwork in which he shows that he can penetrate into the second level with his leverage. He surely grades highest in my eyes in pass protection, as I can gauge his football is persistently higher with a great upside as a run blocker. I haven't been able to figure out yet if Cayden has an offer from anywhere as of yet, but I would be remissed if I didn't say I think the tape shows off a prospect that should play on Saturdays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1556609' first='Esten' last='Schlimgen'], QB, Hanson 2025</strong> <a href="https://x.com/EstenSchlimgen">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1589627,"width":"349px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/Esten-crop-339x223-1735444685.jpg?w=338" alt="" class="wp-image-1589627" style="width:349px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Esten had his way in the Hanson Beavers record book this season getting season highs in passing yards, completions, and touchdowns and broke two more game records for passing yards and touchdowns. He shows off some quickly seen sound arm strength and adds in the precision with the arm talent that Esten has. I also like the balanced timing that I see from Esten on his intermediate routes as the 6'0 190 pounder slights in right in there to allow his receiver to catch and go. This young man is very under the radar and I surely believe will get more NAIA attention between now and National Signing Day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->