WL to Ranked: Dakotas 2026 Call Ups

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We scan thru our 2026 rankings in throughout the Dakotas to see who is making their mark known as we figure out which prospects are deserving to go from there to our 2026 rankings in their respective states. North Dakota has a bunch that are worthy, and South Dakota, well let's just say they have the biggest sleeper out of the bunch!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1422651"],"_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-68d5a18d1a7ef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Reese shows off in his midseason tape why he belongs on our 2026 rankings as a primarily a wide receiver. He intrigues me with his efficency as a route-runner as if his first cut isn't there for his quarterback he has the ability to improvise on his route to give off the best angle. Reese also has shown consistently that he can finish his catches thru contact. I also was impressed with how long his catch radius appears to be as the 6'1 155 pounder could be a small school steal here in for a school in the Dakotas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://x.com/reesesteffen">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1422606"],"_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-68d5b2cacb85c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Chase appears to be a miss on my part as the 6'1 240 pounder shows off good pad-level and drive into the second level as a run-blocker that doesn't quit until that whistle blows. He projects as a tackle at the next-level as one that impresses me with how fluid his hand-fighting appears to be from the first look as Chase seems like a blocker that shows off some versatility within his skillsets. We haven't seen his midseason tape come out yet but he is another North Dakota 2026 taget worth a good look at the next leve out of a Thompson 2026 class that is great one for next-level talent. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://x.com/chase_cowdrey">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1226869"],"_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-68d5b2cacb8b1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Elijah is super light on the tape on the football side, however what is shown is promising from my first look at his senior season. The 2026 quarterback I have listed as an athlete for good reason, as he's shown that he has the legs to get out of the pocket and cause some headaches with his athleticism. As far as his quarterback skillsets, I thought Elijah graded higher with his quarterback mechancis than where I was expecting as his release, balance, and touch were all fluid. Small school hidden gem alert has been noted for the Midway-Minto product.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["848854"],"_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":1908451,"_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-68d5b2cacb920"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Probably the biggest miss I have on our South Dakota 2026 watchlist which usually doesn't come from 11AAA, has been Brandon Valley quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='848854' first='Briggs' last='Knutson']. I just listed Briggs as one of the state's biggest stat stuffers at the quarterback position earlier this week but I need to emphaisize further how under the radar this young man appears to be. Everything you see Briggs do is done quickly. The quick release is apparent as a 2026 gunslinger that has great efficency on all three levels. When the throw isn't there, Briggs gets out of the pocket suddenly and I am sure even though the midseason tape isn't out yet, that burst is more sudden than a year ago. There's not too many hidden gems in South Dakota 11AAA, but Briggs surely is one of them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://x.com/BriggsKnutson13">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->