South Dakota 2026 Pos. Breakdowns: Top 5 DB Edition

SOUTH DAKOTA- We start our series of positional breakdowns in this South Dakota 2026 class by taking a look at one of the deepest classes in the state (outside of offensive linemen) which in this class, is the defensive backs. We breakdown what they each bring to the table now and at the next-level as all five in my eyes, are surely scholarship talents in this class all the way to Division I talent.   DB5: [player_tooltip player_id='1591367' first='Zakariya' last='Ibrahim'], Sioux Falls Jefferson <a href="https://x.com/ZakIbrahim08">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/Zak-crop-410x270-1736379715.jpg?w=410" alt="" class="wp-image-1597515" style="width:312px;height:auto" /></figure>   Not only did Zakariya enter our top five for 2026 defensive backs in South Dakota, he also has the highest debut at the position. The 6'0 165 pounder out of Sioux Falls Jefferson, shows off a ton of length for those measurables and it shows with how agile he appears to be all over the field from sidleine to sideline. He also shows off a ton sudden movement on a constant basis to slow down the short/screen routes very quickly as one that has a great instinctive nose for the ball with his downhill presence. Zakariya also doesn't miss a beat with his pursuit angles or his consistent physicality on contact with the ball carrier. If there is a DB that could move up in this part of our top five, my bet right now is on Zakariya. Surely a defensive back destined to play on Saturdays.   DB4: [player_tooltip player_id='825411' first='Henry' last='Telechan'], Rapid City Stevens <a href="https://x.com/HenryTelechan">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/Henry-crop-339x223-1736379830.jpg?w=338" alt="" class="wp-image-1597517" style="width:318px;height:auto" /></figure>   Henry by far is one the best athletes in this 2026 class out of Rapid City Stevens in my eyes. He was one of my top defensive backs at last Spring's Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcase. His junior tapes, show off a defensive back that has continued to grow his instinctive footwork since one of my lst live evals over the summer as another safety in our top five defensive backs. The 6'1 185 pounder shows off as one that as soon as he flies to the ball, you can gauge another game-speed that gets released as a defensive back that possesses the physicality you want in your next-level secondary. Surely another scholarship talent at defensive back that you'll see on Saturdays.   DB3: [player_tooltip player_id='563997' first='Kamden' last='Schimmel'], Harrisburg <a href="https://x.com/KamdenSchimmel8">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/Kamden-crop-339x223-1736379940.jpg?w=338" alt="" class="wp-image-1597519" style="width:320px;height:auto" /></figure>   The translation with Kamden surely has intrigued since I first scouted him as a freshman at Harrisburg playing quarterback at the time, as he has turned the page and in my eyes has become one of the hardest hitting defensive backs in this 2026 class in all of the Dakotas. The 5'11 175 pound strong safety, also has outstanding range from sideline to sideline and I swear when the ball is air, you can surely bet Kamden will be there (sure, you can call that catch phrase) as a defensive back that you can tell plays at 110% on every rep I have watched on tape. The amount of chaos Kamden causes getting the ball from a far is very intriguing as one that could really catch a lot of attention at camps this summer. Another probable stockriser by next update, I am sure of it.   DB2: [player_tooltip player_id='1239664' first='Nolan' last='Pudwill'], Brandon Valley <a href="https://x.com/PudwillNol91122">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/71-Nolan-Pudwill-e1716319378429-crop-3778x2481-1716574826-crop-640x421-1724187465.jpg?w=639" alt="" class="wp-image-1397733" style="width:339px;height:auto" /></figure>   Three out of the four top defensive backs in South Dakota have all been to a Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcase and have stood out early and often, as [player_tooltip player_id='1239664' first='Nolan' last='Pudwill'] of Brandon Valley is another that chimes as our DB2. Nolan showed off the speed and excellent change of direction (one of the best DB testers) from his testing numbers at our spring showcase in Sioux Falls, and I totally feel both of those categories have grown since last May when you roll the tape. Nolan especially intrigues me with his growth of his ball-tracking ability and shows off all the athleticsm and vertical you want to see in your next-level secondaries. The 6'0 175 pounder also shows off versatility with his 1v1 pass coverage and it's easy to tell his excellent football IQ he has that surely relishes the small details. Even with his measurables, I would love to get a number of where Nolan's wingspan lines up at camps this summer as you see it again and again on tape. Nolan could be another popular name to track this summer at camps.   DB1: [player_tooltip player_id='848853' first='Bradley' last='Esser'], Harrisburg <a href="https://x.com/bradleyesser11">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/Bradley-Esser-crop-1536x1009-1727320338-crop-640x421-1727320357-crop-512x336-1736380025.jpeg?w=511" alt="" class="wp-image-1597522" style="width:322px;height:auto" /></figure>   We save the best for last, our DB1 as we meet our consesus top defensive back in the 2026 class in Harrisburg's [player_tooltip player_id='848853' first='Bradley' last='Esser']. The 6'2 205 pounder shows off all the skillsets that makes a Division I level defensive back. Bradley has some of the best instincts I have seen amongst defensive backs since we launched the Dakotas site back in 2020 as this young man plays with a outstanding presence carrying from sideline to sideline. When Bradley makes contact with anybody on the field you can just feel from watching the tape that he is going to squash them like a bug no matter where they are on the field, as even with ideal defensive back size, he feels miles bigger with the strength he has at his disposal. I have also always been impressed with Bradley's duration he can cover as a free safety along with his nearly 6'5 wingspan he also brings to the table. Bradley is another that has been on our radar since he was an underclassmen as I love the absurd growth he has made. He holds two FCS offers at the moment, but there is no doubt many more D1 suitors are coming his way over the next several months.

SOUTH DAKOTA- We start our series of positional breakdowns in this South Dakota 2026 class by taking a look at one of the deepest classes in the state (outside of offensive linemen) which in this class, is the defensive backs. We breakdown what they each bring to the table now and at the next-level as all five in my eyes, are surely scholarship talents in this class all the way to Division I talent.