Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcase: Nate's Top RBs Part 1

We had an overload of running back talent at Sunday's Prep Redzone Dakotas Showvcae, as the speed and so many other skillsets were on display. So much so, we felt it was necessary to break running backs into a two-part series. Here is the first batch that caught my attention from all over the Dakotas!    We now have had all three Rist brothers in attendance at a Prep Redzone Showcase as Mason not only caught my attention this summer at Valley City State's prospect camp, but yet again last Sunday at our Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcase. Even seeing him over the summer, man has this young man put some time in the weight room as you don't see too many 5'9 192 pound running backs that are freshman throughout the Dakotas. I got a early sense in the live eval on Sunday of Mason's durability with the ball in his hands as one that I am sure when the pads are on will be a bellcow for the Lakers rushing attack in the coming years. Another skillset that caught my attention for Mason came as pass-catcher, as I thought he was more polished tracking the ball than the bulk of the 2029 RBs in attendance. Ranked as our RB2 in North Dakota in the 2029 class, you cannot miss on the upside this young man should build in the coming years and with two brothers played at the next-level, the football pedigree is there for the taking for Mason to own over the coming years.     A new name that hit my radar at our Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcase, was [player_tooltip player_id='1987470' first='Holden' last='Halvorson'] out of Hatton-Northwood. The 5'11 183 pounder is another well put together running back from this RB group and one that intrigued me while I was standing at the L-drill in which he ran an elite 7.09 which is great for his age and that size profile. He showed a quick suddeness at getting to his top speed in the reps I watched and what I found out pre-showcase on tape that didn't surprise me was his durability getting yards after contact. He certainly will be a 2028 ND running back to add to my radar in that class.     Zach might be just be a sophomore, but I swear he has been to it feels like half a dozen Prep Redzone Showcases already and every time I get the chance to evaluate him in that time, I keep seeing more and more growth in his game. He was in our top-tier for pro shuttle times in the RB group with a strong 4.4 for the Minot Bishop Ryan running back as his numbers were stellar across the board. 9'4 in the broad jump showing off the explosive traits and another 7.09 in the L-drill would put him high up in the RB group with my SES (size, explosiveness, speed) analysis. That change of direction Zach has was well-noted later in his live eval during Indy, as he put a couple LBs on skates from what I saw and I remember being intrgued by his finish to every rep. Another RB2 this time in the 2028 class that had a strong showing in Aberdeen.     I got to watch Kolt a little bit in games during the season, but he was one that I was glad I got a live eval on Sunday. He showed off some eye-catching speed and change of direction, running a 4.69 40 yard dash and a 7.08 in the L-Drill for the running back out of Howard that was persistent across the board on Sunday especially in testing. A skillset that I saw from Kolt in the live eval, was how effectively he can use his agility to drive durability after contact as it matched what I see certainly on tape pre-showcase. I feel by building out more frame in his lower body this offseason, he can generate more power and effectiveness thru contact and turn those consistent 6-8 yard gains into a couple more yards or more. Certainly a RB that has that upside and is determined to make it back to the Dome with the Tigers in his senior season.   <a href="https://x.com/kolt_becker03">TWITTER</a>     Bennett was a running back up the road from Britton-Hecla that I recall caught my attention at our last Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcase and is one that has made even more steady growth at last Sunday's Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcase. He took down his 40-yard dash this time to a 4.82, 4.66 in the pro shuttle, and probably the most explosive number was in his broad jump which went 9'1 (twice) as a running back that was in my top-tier Sunday in Aberdeen. In such a big group of RBs (20 plus) it can be hard to catch my attention more than once and if you do, you are having yourself a solid day which Bennett caught my attention later in Indy drills on just how sudden he was getting to his top speed and also showed consistency from my pre-showcase eval how explosive he can be as a route-runner. He certainly looks like a prospect that can play on Saturdays in my eyes.

We had an overload of running back talent at Sunday's Prep Redzone Dakotas Showvcae, as the speed and so many other skillsets were on display. So much so, we felt it was necessary to break running backs into a two-part series. Here is the first batch that caught my attention from all over the Dakotas!