Meet the South Dakota 2026 Newcomers: Part I

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SOUTH DAKOTA--</strong> We dive into our 2026 newcomers in South Dakota, in what I have already stated is going to be a stacked class and we are seeing it across the board positionally across the Mount Rushmore State. Defensive backs, offensive linemen, and more are all at a premium to be added to college recruiting boards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1592130"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677d8b311c1c9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I said it last week that I surely believe Mitchell is a scholarship-level talent in the 2026 class, as the length and upside this young man trends well-versed at the next-level. The 6'4 180 pounder out of Sioux Valley shows off excellent persistence in the open field as an athlete that has great twitch no matter where he lines up on offense with the Cossacks. You can also add plenty of frame yet on this young man as our new WR5 is due for a great look at college camps this summer heading into what should be an excellent senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://x.com/MitchGuth08">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1568254"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1596502,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677d8b311c27f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If you want a 9-man offensive linemen with the ideal next-level size, look no further than 6'4 290 pound offensive linemen [player_tooltip player_id='1568254' first='Riley' last='Kerner'] out of Wall. I have to say, I was impressed with the foot speed Riley showed as a pull-blocker for his size, as an offensive linemen that plays like a man amongst boys with the high activity he gets out of his constant punch. He also is an offensive line that brings that finesse to the second level on a consistent basis. Riley is an offensive linemen that could surely impress college coaches at college camps this summer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://x.com/RileyKerner1">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1544709"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1596497,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677d8b311c2e9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The more I look at this 2026 defensive back class from South Dakota, the more depth I can see as [player_tooltip player_id='1544709' first='Chase' last='Leary'] is one that surely looks like a scholarship-level free safety coming out of Brandon Valley. This young man shows off a sound ball-tracking ability and you can gauge the sideline to sideline range that comes with Chase's skillsets when you watch his tape. I love his football IQ as another defensive back that is another "right place, right time" type of athlete. My projection shows that Chase is near the top of my board to be a stockriser by next update to keep tracking. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><a href="https://x.com/chase_leary_">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1591388"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677d8b311c33b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Avanny is a 2026 newcomer that I feel could surely rise up our rankings in future updates. As a persistent pull-blocker, making contact with Avanny is like meeting a boulder off the mountain. You can tell too that Avanny is one that shows off great footwork, and shows off that bulging strength you want to see at the second level of the field. The 6'0 285 pounder from Sioux Falls Lincoln, surely will be an offensive linemen I'll be tracking for the Patriots in the 2025 season as I like the opportunity to play on Saturdays for him in my eyes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://x.com/avan_ynok">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1593325"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677d8b311c388"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After re-watching Carlo's tape, I am kicking myself I did not have him higher in our 2026 newcomers in South Dakota. This young man has outstanding strength with his hands and excellent pad-level on both sides of the trenches as a constant driver into the ball carrier with his technique, punch and pad-level on both sides of the ball. He also shows off more bursty release than you would expect coming out of the trenches. You can put a stamp on it that Carlo will be a stockriser by our next 2026 update. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><a href="https://x.com/CarloPica89">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1568240"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677d8b311c3d6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Al'Shamon is a 2026 newcomer that landed on our South Dakota rankings due to being an All-Stater in the 2024 season. The tape that I could find on Al'Shamon is raw, yet at 6'6 220 pounds you can quickly gauge his upside. Especially when you look at his lengthy wingspan he constantly shows off the reach to take down the ball carrier that would be out of reach for most athletes. With more tape out there, this young man can certainly be a stockriser in the coming months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1592136"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677d8b311c41f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As if this Rapid City St. Thomas More group couldn't get even more stacked, it does with 2026 newcomer [player_tooltip player_id='1592136' first='Josh' last='Elder']. The 6'1 220 pound linebacker is one of the more consistent middle linebackers I have seen on tape in the inside box as you see him getting penetration with his vision quickly on tape. Josh also shows off well-versed pursuit angles and does so with a sound balance of physicality on contact. Coming in as our LB5, I will be intrigued to see Josh at camps this summer in like I said is a stacked 2026 class for the Cavaliers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><a href="https://x.com/JoshE2525">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1592624"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677d8b311c46d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the more intriguing prospects I have ever found out of Hill City since we launched in 2020, is 2026 defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1592624' first='Nick' last='Schroeder']. Nick is a defensive back that relishes the vision I want to see out of a next-level defensive back and its very consistent across his tape. Nick also shoots off the physicality with his pursuit angles with pure contact around the ball. You can also gauge that Nick is a right place right time type of athlete that seems to conisistently be in position. He would be one I would like to see how he lines up at prospect camps this summer, as I feel he has a good shot to play at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><a href="https://x.com/NickSchroederHC">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1591318"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677d8b311c4ba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Grayer is a defensive back that has recently intrigued me with his athleticism on recent years of playing 7v7 for Sioux Falls Sharks. He sticks out right away with his ideal footwork that impressed me as a defensive back that I can surely see the instinct is there for taking. His athletic movement shows off to be more rangey than he might get credit for as a DB prospect that has always intrigued me with his great work ethic he plays with on every rep. I surely believe Grayer is a certainly a stockriser in the making. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><a href="https://x.com/grayer_vanhull">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1568248"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677d8b311c510"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dawson was one of my favorite prospects based on the live evaluation at our Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcase. Even though he came in as a linebacker, he surely is one of the most athletic kickers too in our Prep Redzone Dakotas era since we launched in 2020 and comes into our ranks as our top-ranked kickers/punters in the South Dakota 2026 class. He shows off excellent hangtime and a huge punting leg that averaged 54 yards (not a typo) per punt in the 2024 season. I could surely see some D1 interest rolling in for Dawson as a specialist. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://x.com/DawsUnruh54">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->