2025 South Dakota Superlative Awards Week: Part 3

Nate Wahl January 9, 2026 @ 03:10 PM

We move into Part 3 of Superlatives Week across South Dakota, this time featuring a plethora of underclassmen that got their nods from living up to their rank, probable climbers, and more across the Mount Rushmore state in 11AA and 11AAA.   2027 WR That Lived Up to Their Rank   [player_tooltip player_id='1293067' first='Jase' last='Unzen'], Sioux Falls Jefferson   Jase came was a new additon in our last 2027 rankings update that I had graded as our WR2 in the 2027 South Dakota class and to say he lived up to the hype might be an understatement. The 5'10 170 pounder showed off what we saw prior to being named All-State with how elusive of a route-runner he is over the middle of the field as a slot receiver as he shows off a sound twitch when he changes directions on his routes. He shows how well he could get ample seperation and boosted his great hands in high traffic areas across his junior tape. He might be slightly undersized, but man he's going to be problem for defensive backs over the next couple of years for Sioux Falls Jefferson.   2027 TE That Crushed the Camp Live Eval   [player_tooltip player_id='1575917' first='Hunter' last='Peterson'], TE, Watertown   When I saw Hunter at the SDSU prospect camp over the summer, I had no doubt he was going to be our TE2 in the class right behind nationally ranked [player_tooltip player_id='1027999' first='Cooper' last='Terwilliger'] of Pierre T.F. Riggs as one of the best tight ends I saw in Brookings. After that, he picked up an offer from North Dakota State and thus far this winter he's gotten plenty of Missouri Valley attention througout the Dakotas. The 6'3 220 pounder is a first team All-State tight end in 2025, that has a great agile get off off the snap and boosts smooth hands as a pass-catcher and what I saw this summer, is an outstanding blocker at the point of attack. No doubt will get more Division 1 attention here very soon offer wise.   2028 Two-Way Athlete That Proved a D1 Grade   [player_tooltip player_id='1602496' first='Darieon' last='Smith'], DB/ATH, Sioux Falls Christian   One of the most intriguing 2028 defensive backs I have found in this South Dakota class is [player_tooltip player_id='1602496' first='Darieon' last='Smith'] of Sioux Falls Christian. Darieion doesn't take long to show off the instincts you need to have at the cornerback position as he's proactive in pass coverage for the Chargers and is one that I feel can play any spot in the secodnary at the next-level. He also is a dominate threat as a punt-returner that utilizes great vision and elusiveness and is an athlete that plays with a ton of finish when you watch his reps in the return game. Certainly looks like he will be a climber up our 2028 board that I have a D1 grade on.   2028 DE You Will See in the 2028 Rankings Top 5 Soon   [player_tooltip player_id='1597618' first='Shep' last='Wachal'], DE, Sioux Falls Jefferson   Shep currently sits in the #8 overall spot of our 2028 South Dakota rankings, but man there is no doubt this young man will be in my top 5 after his sophomore campaign for the Cavaliers. He's developed an even quicker first step than what we saw a year ago and with that it doesn't take long to see on tape how powerful Shep is with his hands getting leverage and getting off blocks at the point of attack. The 6'3 225 pounder is yet another DE stud you need to know in this 2028 class as Jefferson boosts two of my favorite defensive end tendems in the state with Shep and 2027 DE [player_tooltip player_id='1665681' first='Anthony' last='Patron'] who was a DL MVP at our Spring Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcase.

We move into Part 3 of Superlatives Week across South Dakota, this time featuring a plethora of underclassmen that got their nods from living up to their rank, probable climbers, and more across the Mount Rushmore state in 11AA and 11AAA.