Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcase: Top Gunslingers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ABERDEEN--</strong> We keep the foot on the gas from our Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcase with the <strong>16 standouts</strong> that were the gunslingers we met in the Aberdeen Dome. We dish out the live evals of each and more that have excellent upside, that we wish we got to watch more reps out of due to what we saw.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1575828' first='Beau' last='Thorpe'], QB, Oakes 2027</strong> <a href="https://x.com/Beauthorpe223">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1577568,"width":"328px","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_2069-rotated-crop-481x316-1733875604.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1577568" style="width:328px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beau was a 2027 quarterback that impressed me as a sophomore with his balanced poise he showed in the pocket in Aberdeen. The 6'1 170 pounder from Oakes, showed off efficiently on all three levels with his throws and I liked the speed of his quick release that was shown in Aberdeen as his release speed was persistent no matter the route he threw on with his wide receivers. He also seemed like a quarterback that could grow rapport quickly with the wide receivers he threw with as surely a 2027 QB that is one that I need to add to our rankings in North Dakota.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422613' first='Gabe' last='Whipple'], QB, Kindred 2026</strong><a href="https://x.com/gwhip22"> Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1577571,"width":"341px","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_2095-rotated-crop-481x316-1733875854.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1577571" style="width:341px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gabe is a 2026 quarterback out of Kindred that has been on my radar even more this year and was another one that popped out at our Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcase in Aberdeen. You could tell that this young man shows off a quickly developing football IQ when he makes his reads as there is plenty of balance with his arm strength and accuracy inside the pocket and knowledge what speed to use that strength with especially when he fired his throws on intermediate routes. He will take over as Kindred's QB1 as a junior as the Vikings make the move up to 11AA which will certainly make Gabe and them an interesting watch especially with one of the top 2027 class of next-level prospects we have already in the Dakotas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1113087' first='Xavier' last='Muse'], QB, Fargo Davies 2026</strong> <a href="https://x.com/XaviermuseQB">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1577561,"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/IMG_2059-rotated-crop-481x316-1733875225.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1577561" style="width:349px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Xavier was a close contender at our last Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcase for quarterback MVP and I felt has developed nicely since that time with his overall game. By his live eval in Aberdeen, you could tell he has gotten quicker and more balanced with his throwing mechanics and was another quarterback in attendance that in Indy drills almost looked robotic with how well-versed his mechanics showed to be. Some of the throws I got to watch from Xavier also showed more balance than last time, as he from the reps I watched put a handful of them right in the wheelhouse of where they needed to be ball fit wise. The 6'3 205 pounder to me still has even more upside that's left to be untapped and was another name I heard as a liking from college coaches in attendance. We will be pumped to see the growth he makes last Sunday to college camp season as another that I like the shot at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1575915' first='Hayden' last='Pihl'], QB, Harding County-Bison 2026</strong> <a href="https://x.com/Hayden_Pihl8">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1577576,"width":"358px","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_1958-rotated-crop-481x316-1733876064.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1577576" style="width:358px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hayden is 2026 West River quarterback that is newer to my 2026 SD radar, but one that made a sound impression on Sunday in Aberdeen. He showed off great arm strength and the balance I like to see out of our quarterbacks by understanding the balance between speed and touch on his throws he made in Aberdeen. The 6'1 165 pounder, also showed off more fiery arm strength and ball placement throwing from the run than I expected. I also came away highly impressed with his precison he showed yesterday as another quarterback on our list that I felt could grow some quick chemistry with his wide receivers quickly in the Aberdeen Dome especially with number of targets in the receiving core we had stocked up at our Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcase. It sure seems like more college coaches should make the trip to NW South Dakota in to give Hayden another look in this 2026 class as the athleticism intrigued me on Sunday in Aberdeen too. A small town sleeper college programs need to know.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Brady Wadena, QB, Dillworth-Glyndon-Felton 2026</strong> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19667623/672bfdeb1f77c3051f1a7c67">Tape</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1577579,"width":"363px","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_2017-rotated-crop-481x316-1733876861.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1577579" style="width:363px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brady showed on Sunday that amongst our quarterback group, might have some of the best athleticism I saw with the use of his legs outside of the pocket. He has a good bulk of upside that I felt grew quickly from tape to showcase with his footwork and setting his feet with better frequency with his intermediate routes I watched him throw on Sunday. The 5'11 180 pounder to me has not only high upside but I think the position flexibility at the next-level gives Brady another bright spot to see at the next level. I also in the live eval, liked what from Brady with his tighter ball fits in the reps I got to watch in Aberdeen on Sunday afternoon. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1475706' first='Noah' last='Herr'], QB, Bismarck Century 2026 </strong><a href="https://x.com/Noah_Herr14">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1577584,"width":"354px","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_1866-rotated-crop-481x316-1733877306.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1577584" style="width:354px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Noah was one of the best passers outside of the pocket we had at our Prep Redzone Dakotasa Showcase in Aberdeen in my eyes. He also impressed me with his quick and efficent improvising when making his read as Noah took minimal time identifying where to fit his ball placement so his wide receiver could catch it and go. He also impressed me with his mechanics, as Noah's throwing motion was one of the more fluid ones we watched in the quarterback group. The tape shows off Noah is constantly using his elusiveness and with his Dakotas showcase outing adding to to the mix, he'll be sure for a rankings bump in our 2026 ND class. Noah surely has a great shot to play on Saturdays as I'll also been intrigued to see where his testing numbers come out to be because there is so much athletic ability to this kid.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1276033' first='Kaleb' last='Lounsbury'], QB, Pierre T.F. Riggs 2026</strong><a href="https://x.com/K15Lounsbury"> Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1577598,"width":"337px","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_2025-rotated-crop-481x316-1733877547.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1577598" style="width:337px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kaleb intrigued me again yesterday as a 2026 quarterback prospect that has developed smoothly since our Spring showcase. Where I thought Kaleb improved most from my live eyes on the quarterbacks was how much more fluid his throwing motion has gotten since May and I felt we saw tighter more poised ball fits in the live reps I watched in Aberdeen. He has also thrown a swifter arm speed when setting his feet to throw as at times on Sunday, it almost looked like it had some robotic motion to it from these eyes. His poise has also grown since last times' live eval in Spring as you could gauge the reps n reps he has gotten for the Governors as their QB1 has paid off dividends. You surely will see him playing on Saturdays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Nate Stevenson, QB, Dickinson 2027</strong> <a href="https://x.com/NathanJSteven">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1577604,"width":"347px","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_1946-rotated-crop-481x316-1733877761.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1577604" style="width:347px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nate was another name that although just a sophomore, was one that I heard liking from the college coaches in attendance in Aberdeen. He impressed me with his throwing angles that he showed off in the live eval that I got at our Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcase in one that was not only quick regardless of the route he was threw, but showed of the finished fluidity that evaluators wanted to see. He also showed off the quickness I want to see regarding his release and it was constantly shown on all three levels that I watched Nate throw on on Sunday. I thought the live eval also showed off more poise in-person that probably what his tape might show you as another 2027 prospect that I like the shot he has playing on Saturdays somewhere in the Dakotas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1320970' first='Tanner' last='Volmer'], QB, Wall 2027</strong> <a href="https://x.com/tannervolmer8">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1577606,"width":"323px","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_1922-rotated-crop-481x316-1733877979.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1577606" style="width:323px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's almost become a year by year deal, that the Wall Eagles have another stud quarterback at our Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcase as this winter it was 6'1 170 pound [player_tooltip player_id='1320970' first='Tanner' last='Volmer'] that popped out as another 2027 quarterback to know early. Tanner showed off as a quarterback that plays with a chip on his shoulder from our live eval, as you can gauge the athleticism is a focal point to his game, but man is that upside strong based as especially when he gets some wiggle room to throw on deep routes that arm strength is surely loaed. I also was impressed with the precision that Tanner showed in Aberdeen especially on the 2nd and 3rd levels of the field. When you get to roll the tape, you have to be intrigued with the football IQ this young man has on both sides of the ball which shows to me a great chance of position flexibility as another Eagle I would love to see playing on Saturdays in the near future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1241392' first='Gavin' last='Anderson'], QB, Brookings 2026</strong> <a href="https://x.com/g_anderson_4">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1577558,"width":"350px","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_2077-rotated-crop-481x316-1733875119.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1577558" style="width:350px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gavin was a 2026 quarterback that made a splash at the Dakota State prospect camp this summer and I felt he was in that first tier for quarterbacks at our Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcase on Sunday. Where I saw the growth for Gavin in Aberdeen since summer was the grown poise he showed throwing inside the pocket as although I have always liked how he can improvise out of the pocket, seeing the quick delivery of his throws on intermediate routes certainly showed off the some growth since our last live eval. Gavin's release has also gained fluidity since our last live eval and he has surely developed tighter ball fit windows than I saw over the summer. He is another one that I felt gained faster chemistry with a new group of wide receivers at our showcase and that quicker shown football IQ was evident in the reps I got to watch in Aberdeen. Another 2026 prospect on this list that has a great shot to get some attention at the next level as we get closer to summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='825396' first='Alec' last='Austin'], QB, Centerville 2026</strong> <a href="https://x.com/Alec_Austin_02">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1577565,"width":"354px","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_1980-rotated-crop-481x316-1733875533.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1577565" style="width:354px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even though Alec didn't take home our QB MVP like we had sort of projected in our showcase preview, there still was a ton to like from the number one 2026 quarterback we have in our South Dakota class. I could tell from what I saw on Sunday in Aberdeen that his poise inside the pocket has reached an even higher limit from our last live eval at the Dakota State prospect camp. The 6'3 220 pounder you could tell relished in getting attention to detail in the coaching he received from the college coaches working with the quarterbacks as one that since his freshmen year has surely grown his throwing mechanics because of his focus on the small details. I also liked the durability Alec shows off when finishing his throws as watching the tape from this season to the live eval, he doesn't let one stone unturned if there is pressure or not coming his way. There is going to be plenty of "I told you years ago's" when this young man starts to get more attention this summer at camps as Alec checks all the boxes in my eyes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422340' first='Talen' last='Black'], QB, Sioux Falls O'Gorman 2026</strong> <a href="https://x.com/Talen_Black">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1577551,"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/IMG_2180-rotated-crop-481x316-1733874736.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1577551" style="width:349px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It almost felt that every college coach in the building had their attention on Sioux Falls' O'Gorman 2026 quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1422340' first='Talen' last='Black'] during camp from the conversations I had on Sunday. The 6'1 190 pounder was easily seen as the most balanced quarterback in the building with all the skillsets you look for when evaluating quarterbacks at the next-level. His poise was second to none, he was efficent on all three levels with his throws and constantly put his ball right in the wide receiver's bucket for them to catch and go. Talen also had the balance too with his arm strength, having a great football IQ to understand the throw speed that he needed on every throw I got to watch and was surely in my eyes the most poised quarterback in Aberdeen. Even prior to the Dakotas Showcase I had him as a probable stockriser in our upcoming 2026 rankings, but man he solidified that his movement on our 2026 rankings needs to be higher now that I have gotten his full live eval. He surely is one of Sioux Falls area best quarterbacks coming back in this 2026 class by far.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>More QBs that Stood Out:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This small group of quarterbacks are all ones that surely impressed me in small samples with their skillsets and all to be have some sound upside yet to grow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Braylen Bowsher, QB, Milbank 2026 </strong><a href="http://Twitter.com/BrayBowsher">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1577612,"width":"320px","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_2027-rotated-crop-481x316-1733878252.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1577612" style="width:320px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1575284' first='Wyatt' last='Marler'], QB, Sturgis Brown 2027</strong> <a href="https://x.com/WyattMarler4">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1577618,"width":"337px","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_1890-rotated-crop-481x316-1733878597.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1577618" style="width:337px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422315' first='Conway' last='Collins'], QB, Lyman 2026</strong> <a href="https://x.com/collinsconway7">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1577621,"width":"346px","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_1880-rotated-crop-481x316-1733878930.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1577621" style="width:346px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='929923' first='Ethan' last='Falk'], QB, Redfield 2026</strong> <a href="https://x.com/EthanFalk07">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1577625,"width":"357px","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_2117-rotated-crop-481x316-1733879215.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1577625" style="width:357px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->