Nate’s Dakotas Film Room: Session 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We roamed the Dakotas in our first Film Room of the spring season ahead of camp season. With a handful of new names, prospects rising their stock and more we dive into our first session.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1622004' first='Leif' last='Karlson']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"230","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lennox","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682f5ed08634d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Leif is a newer name to my 2027 SD radar, as a defensive linemen out of Lennox that doesn't take long to pop out on tape. The 6'3 230 pounder has one of the more fiery first steps in the this defensive linemen class thus far. He also shows off sound hands getting off his blocks and shows plenty of balance at the point of attack. He also intrigues me with his position flexibility in the defensive trenches, as one that can play and a handful of different spots for the Orioles. Surely you will want to watch this summer at camps.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://x.com/leifkarlson">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1212271"],"_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-682f5ed0863c0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6'1 160 pounder out of Rapid City Stevens has surely taken a leap upwards based on watching his poise in the pocket from his most recent junior tape that came out. He also has amped up his speed with his progressions, which is evident and consistently see thru out his tape. Austin's ability to fit his throws in tight windows as also grown as one of the top quarterbacks in the 2027 class that the Rapid City area has to offer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://x.com/austin_flohr">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["929929"],"_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-682f5ed08640f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another Minot North 2026 linebacker has grown and developed a ton in my eyes since our last 2026 rankings update, is [player_tooltip player_id='929929' first='Christian' last='Deadmond']. The now 6'2 205 pounder has gotten more instinctive with his movement at middle linebacker and sees the field with a wider range in his junior season as he has found what looks like his natural position at the next level. Christian also intrigues me with his versatility at the linebacker position as one that looks like he play in any LB spot and show off the capable vision that is at his disposal. One that I surely feel will gain some traction on the camp trail this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["825400"],"_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-682f5ed086454"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Carter I have logged as a riser in this 2026 class, not only from his growth on tape in his junior season but I love the grind this young man has created gettng 7v7 reps with the SF Sharks. He has shown off smoother hands and a football IQ that shows advancement in the open field with an faster intuition than what I have grasped in the live evals I have gotten from past years. As a route-runner, I also have seen Carter get more fluidity with his routes especially on his cuts with his change of direction. He surely looks like a scholarship-level talent in these eyes coming out Gayville-Volin.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1422299"],"_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":1678464,"_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":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682f5ed0864a9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another upwards trendier in our 2026 SD class, comes in the offensive trenches at Sioux Falls Jefferson, as [player_tooltip player_id='1422299' first='Gabriel' last='Ralston'] is a name that is picking up steam at the D2 level. His junior tape, shows off great depth that college coaches will like in his stance, as one that launches his hips fluiditly at the point of attack, and no doubt packs the constant punch you want on your next-level roster. I have seen a rise from his sophomore year to junior year with his pad-level too, showing off more balanced launch angles in the reps I have watched. He is one that I hope to get a live eval on at camps this summer, as the now 6'3 265 pounder should certainly catch more NSIC attention on his recruiting trail. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://x.com/rstngabriel7626">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1226684"],"_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-682f5ed0864ee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another 2026 prospect that is a upwards trendier in my eyes out of Bismarck Legacy is 2026 wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1226684' first='Jack' last='Julson']. Talk aobut a wide receiver that moves with instinct in the open field, as even as a return man Jack shows off the smooth change of direction and that translates as well as a route-runner. There too is versatility for Jack on the defensive side of the ball at safety, as I was impressed with how well he gets to the best spot on the field and showing off a sound ball-tracking ability. If you want a prospect that has a excellent football IQ that can play on all three levels of the field, Jack surely is a Saturday's fit at the next-level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Ben Nelson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"215","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Sioux Falls Jefferson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682f5ed08657e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ben is a new name on my 2026 SD radar at linebacker, as one that seems to constantly impress me with his short area vision and quickness to the ball. He also shows off the physicality on contact with his drive-back tackling ability. He also is also more rangy outside of the inside box than he gets credit for as he processes like a linebacker that has the fluid movement to get sideline to sideline. As a discus thrower of over 150 feet and over the 43 foot mark in shotput, I surely think college coaches could be intrigued getting a live eval on this young man at camps this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://x.com/BenNelson44">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->