North Dakota 2025 Winter Rankings Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NORTH DAKOTA</strong>- We take our final look at our last release of the North Dakota 2025 rankings as we preview what we found. We go thru our eval process, our new top five, etc. We highly focus on the uncommitted prospects with this preview, including my top 25 North Dakota names you need to be recruiting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"24px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:24px"><strong>Our PRZ Prospect Evaluation Process:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our&nbsp;<strong>#1 priority</strong>&nbsp;and goal with Prep Redzone Dakotas is to put prospects on the map for college coaches and college programs at all levels to advance their exposure. We evaluate prospects on&nbsp;<strong><em>next-level potential&nbsp;</em></strong>not stats, not on the team's rankings in the state, it's all about prospect upside and how their skillsets fit in and apply at the next level when it comes down to measurables, athleticism and everything else that college football programs measure as far as skillsets within their evaluations. All prospects will need to have tape available or have been referred to us by our anonymous sources throughout the North Dakota or South Dakota. Some prospects will peak with a higher rank searly in their high school careers which is why our rankings change 3-4 times per year at Prep Redzone Dakotas, because we also always factor in several live evaluations year-around thru prospect camps in the spring and summer, games during the fall season, as we have seen several prospects within a 3-month span add 30 pounds of muscle and a couple inches of height, while others stay the same. That is our clear-cut process with every rankings update for those of you that are new to us!&nbsp;<strong>Our main goal?</strong>&nbsp;Expose as many prospects state-wide to make sure they get the exposure they deserve in the Dakotas get next-level opportunities thru our network of college programs from Division I FBS, FCS, Division II, NAIA, Division and the JUCO ranks. We also on occassion will individually refer prospects to college coaches at all levels, other recruiting sources, etc. for their input to share.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"24px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:24px"><strong>Meet our Top 5:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#5: [player_tooltip player_id='669323' first='JB' last='Walters'], OL, Grand Forks Red River</strong> <a href="https://x.com/JBWalters6">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-SDSU commit</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#4: [player_tooltip player_id='356867' first='Joe' last='Kramlich'], DB, Ellendale-Edgeley-Kulm</strong> <a href="https://x.com/joseph_k25">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Air Force commit</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#3: [player_tooltip player_id='951872' first='Walker' last='Braaten'], ATH, Westhope</strong> <a href="https://x.com/WalkerBraaten4">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-NDSU commit</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#2 [player_tooltip player_id='321196' first='Jack' last='Shaffer'], OL, Bismarck </strong><a href="https://x.com/jjshaffer0">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Washington commit</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#1: [player_tooltip player_id='720270' first='Kade' last='Pietrzak'], DL, West Fargo Sheyenne</strong> <a href="https://x.com/KadePietrzak">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Nebraska commit</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"24px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:24px"><strong>Key Points with our 2025 ND Winter Rankings Update</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"20px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:20px"><strong>The Door is Nearly Closing</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"16px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:16px">The doors are nearly closed for 2025 football targets looking to play at the next-level. Yes, of course Division II, NAIA, Division III, JUCOs schools are still actively recruiting, but I can assure you this 2025 class is nearly a wrap when it comes to recruiting otherwise especially at the Division I level in the Dakotas minus a few rare circumstances. Especially with the floodgates open with the transfer portal right now, if you have an offer from any level you should consider taking it if your gut tells you it's a fit, that would be my advice for any 2025 prospect reading this.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"20px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:20px"><strong>Plenty of Top 20 Targets Still Available</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Unlike South Dakota, North Dakota has a lot more talent yet available in our top 20 which to me is surprising when you look at the top names that are still available below</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#11 [player_tooltip player_id='1370689' first='Hudsen' last='Sheldon'], ATH, Mandan</strong> <a href="https://x.com/HudsenSheldon">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hudsen got a D1 offer at the UND Flagship camp over the summer from the Fighting Hawks, but since has been relatively quiet on the recruiting front. I'll be curious where he ends up as that senior tape I watched was outstanding.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#12 [player_tooltip player_id='720291' first='Pearce' last='Parks'], QB, Grand Forks Red River </strong><a href="https://x.com/PearceParks_">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top signal callers in North Dakota's 2025 class is still available in Red River's [player_tooltip player_id='720291' first='Pearce' last='Parks']. Could he end up with the Fighting Hawks like his brother? He has several NSIC offers and his most recent visit was at UND this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#18 [player_tooltip player_id='1090475' first='Thomas' last='Kraft'], RB, Grand Forks Red River</strong> <a href="https://x.com/krafty_t1">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"16px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:16px">Thomas has an offer from the old staff at UND but is still uncommitted along with the NSIC attention. He is another Roughrider I will be intrigued to see where he ends up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"20px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:20px"><strong>#19 [player_tooltip player_id='1189180' first='Olav' last='Taylor'], LB, Bismarck Century</strong> <a href="https://x.com/OlavTaylor95152">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"16px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:16px">Olav is one of my favorite linebackers we have had our Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcases and was our linebacker MVP last Spring in Sioux Falls. He has a plethora of NSIC offers, but at this moment is still uncommitted.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"20px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:20px"><strong>#20 [player_tooltip player_id='356875' first='Jett' last='Lundeen'], QB, Minot Bishop Ryan </strong><a href="https://x.com/JettLundeen">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"16px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:16px">Jett to me is one of the biggest 2025 sleepers remaining overall in the Dakotas and I am very surprised the QB MVP at one of our Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcases doesn't have more attention besides one NSIC offer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"20px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:20px"><strong>Four ND OL/DL I Would Target in 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every year is a year for the linemen when you are scouting/evaluating Dakotas talent. Here are five I have circled that are still available.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1185199' first='Jacob' last='Foss'], DL/OL, Grand Forks Red River</strong> <a href="https://x.com/Jacobfoss05">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Owen Hallanger, OL/DL, Grand Forks Red River</strong> <a href="https://x.com/OHallanger">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1224767' first='Chase' last='Cooper'], OL, Wyndmere-Lidgerwood</strong> <a href="https://x.com/chasecooper59">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1184870' first='Xander' last='Mowery'], OL/DL, West Fargo Sheyenne</strong> <a href="https://x.com/XMowery54133">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"20px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:20px"><strong>Still Hunting for 2025s: Who should we target?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"16px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:16px">I'll put my college recruiting coordinator hat on for this one and tell you a solid list of names I would be targeting still in this 2025 class below. Here is my <strong>top 25</strong> of the best available prospects you should be targeting to fill out your 2025 classes upcoming. Outside of the names I already rattled off earlier in this article.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='210459' first='Benjamin' last='Schepp'], QB, Velva </strong><a href="https://x.com/schepp_ben">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1184866' first='Kolter' last='Simon'], WR/ATH, Bismarck Century</strong> <a href="https://x.com/KolterSimo6321">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1381948' first='Isaiah' last='Lincoln'], DB, West Fargo Sheyenne </strong><a href="https://x.com/IsaiahLincoln0">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1584185' first='Jaiden' last='Tanner'], ATH, Williston</strong> <a href="https://x.com/JaidenTanner18">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='725780' first='Hank' last='Bodine'], LB/ATH, Velva</strong> <a href="https://x.com/hank_bodine">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='725843' first='Zachary' last='Smith'], LB, Tri-State </strong><a href="https://x.com/zsmith_34">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1185260' first='Owen' last='Lesko'], LB/ATH, LaMoure-Litchville-Marion </strong><a href="https://x.com/OwenLesko">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1556567' first='Adam' last='Mrozik'], DL, Minot </strong><a href="https://x.com/Adam__Mrozik">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='725782' first='Treyson' last='Iglehart'], WR/DB, Velva </strong><a href="https://x.com/TreysonIglehart">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='356874' first='Hunter' last='Bindas'], ATH, Kindred </strong><a href="https://x.com/Hbindi06">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1185208' first='Bryce' last='Vibeto'], ATH/DB, Minot Bishop Ryan</strong> <a href="https://x.com/BryceVibeto">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Izaak Spellhaug, DB, Kindred </strong><a href="https://x.com/izaak_spelhaug6">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='720545' first='Drew' last='Zwak'], LB, Minot Bishop Ryan</strong> <a href="https://x.com/DrewZwak">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1184865' first='Kaden' last='Olson'], QB, West Fargo Sheyenne</strong> <a href="https://x.com/OlsonKaden10">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='802391' first='Mason' last='Johnson'], LB, West Fargo Horace</strong> <a href="https://x.com/masonjohnson_30?lang=en">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='802392' first='Joshua' last='Chavez'], LB, Watford City</strong> <a href="https://x.com/JoshuaC45909432">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='720272' first='Keaton' last='Docken'], K/P, Fargo South</strong> <a href="https://x.com/DockenKeaton">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1556648' first='Oliver' last='Wirth'], WR/TE, Devils Lake</strong> <a href="https://x.com/OliverWirth13">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1185194' first='Jensen' last='Schulz'], WR, Mandan </strong><a href="https://x.com/JensenSchulz2">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='802402' first='Malachi' last='Werrenmeyer'], ATH, Fargo Davies</strong> <a href="https://x.com/malachi_werreme">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='506330' first='Teagan' last='Coonrod'], ATH, Minot Bishop Ryan</strong> <a href="https://x.com/TeaganCoonrod">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1381944' first='Lucas' last='Grove'], OL/DL, West Fargo</strong> <a href="https://x.com/LucasGrove2025">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='720541' first='Matthew' last='Hoppe'], RB, Northern Cass</strong> <a href="https://x.com/Matthewhoppe90">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='725783' first='Bradyn' last='Bossert'], DB/ATH, Velva </strong><a href="https://x.com/BossertBradyn">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1381968' first='Dylan' last='Hunt'], DL, Valley City </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"24px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:24px"><strong>What is On Tap for Content in the Coming Weeks?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Content will flow consistently from both Dakotas daily over the next week or two from each of these groups of article series:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Newcomers (Multi-Part Series)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Who was added to our prospect database of 2025 prospects and what do they bring to the table as far as their skillsets?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stockrisers (Multi-Part Series)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Which prospects that were already ranked in the 2025 class rose their stock from last update into this offseason and why did their rank see improvement?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Positional Breakdowns (Multiple Positions)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-We will stack up some of our position groups and evaluate why x prospect was ranked over x prospect due to what their tape shows, live evaluation shows, etc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Small Town Sleepers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-One of my favorite article series every ranking update. Which prospects from sleepy small town America made waves on our rankings whether newcomers or stockrisers? We always love to talk the population too showing off these prospects from small town North Dakota. Any prospect from a small town under 5000 will get mentioned.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"16px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:16px"><strong><br></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->