Nate's Big Dogs of the Week: North Dakota, Week 8/9

These are my selections for Big Dogs of the Week across North Dakota for Week 8/9 based on the stats that were found and tape that was posted from this week. We feature 2027s that are on the move from our watch list to our rankings, 2026s worth a senior eval at the D2 level and more.    The 6'5 220 pounder was one of my 2027standouts over the summer from the UND Flagship Camp and caught my attention again this week. Where I saw the development right away comes with Kaden's change of direction as he's developed more twitch getting downhill to attack the ball carrier and is proceeding with smoother hands with his get off and timing. I can grasp he has added more pep in his step as far as his range from what I saw in Grand Forks this summer as a 2027 DE you will see on our rankings upcoming.     Stat Line: 33 carries, 285 rushing yards, four touchdowns   Surely one of the most monsterous numbers amongst running backs in the Dakotas came from [player_tooltip player_id='1319893' first='Davyion' last='Clemons'] of Nedrose last week. Davyion is sneaky between the tackles and with use of his agility and speed he was able to utilize his vision to his advantage in tight windows of opportunity. His rushing touchdowns included one that went for 94-yards is which Davyion seperated himself down the sidelines with ease. He also showed that the durability is developing in his junior season as Davyion might not be the biggest RB you see, but he's a fighter for every yard. Already holds a D2 track offer as just a junior.     Another Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcase alum had himself a solid day in the defensive trenches which was 2026 defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='1314685' first='Kullen' last='Cooper'] of Fargo South. Kullen shows that his hands have gotten quicker in his junior season with getting off blocks as one that when he got on our ND 2027 rankings last year, we loved the upside and that development is showing. Even when he was just a couple seconds off to get the ball carrier for a tackle for a loss the tape shows the timing aligned for Kullen to persistently get and find the ball carrier with the first yard or less on first contact. The 6'2 220 pounder I can tell you has a lot of length left to give with his size and surely fits the bill as a defensive end at the next-leve.     Stat Line: Three touchdowns   The Montana Tech running back commit for Central Cass was another standout in Week 8/9 out of the intriguing Squirrels offense. I would be remissed if I didn't say that Colton has some of the better instincts I have seen amongst running backs in 11AA. Colton is shows off progressive vision upon hitting the second level as from my eyes, I think his open field vision in that area has sound upside to be shown off at the next-level. In Week 8, Colton showed off plenty of reps where he worked got chunks of extra yards as the Orediggers I think pulled a steal out of the 701.     Stat Line: 15 carries, 107 rushing yards, 1 touchdowns (in one half)   A 2027 running back that keeps emerging out of Minot in his junior season has been Minot North's [player_tooltip player_id='1893242' first='Cooper' last='Chick']. Cooper boosts the patience that intrigues me prior to hitting the gap and once he hits the gap the consistency of utilizing his change of direction has gotten better from regular season start to regular season end. The suddenness that is there with his straight-line burst stuck a chord on film this week as I would love get some testing numbers on this young man this winter at our Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcase. Surely one of a couple 2027 RBs out of the Minot Area, that need to get on our North Dakota board!     Stat Line: 15/15, 222 passing yards, two touchdowns   Yes, you read that right, Gabe had no incompletions last Friday against Wahpeton and when you roll the tape, the difficulty of some of the throws he made makes that stat line even more impressive. I don't think there is an uncommitted 2026 quarterback in this North Dakota class that has better chemistry with his receiving core than Gabe does, and I watch a lot of quarterbacks every week so that says something. He can sling in on all three levels and even since summer his arm velocity looks stronger especially out of the pocket. If I was a D2 recruiter looking for a great senior eval at the quarterback position, Gabe has it in my eyes.

These are my selections for Big Dogs of the Week across North Dakota for Week 8/9 based on the stats that were found and tape that was posted from this week. We feature 2027s that are on the move from our watch list to our rankings, 2026s worth a senior eval at the D2 level and more.