PRZ North Dakota 2027 Rankings Countdown: #64-#60

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NORTH DAKOTA--</strong> We keep plugging along into the low 60s in North Dakota with our 2027 rankings countdown. The main theory that defines this group? Upside. Not where they might be as a next-level target right now, but where they could be in 1-3 years which is the case with almost every target on this list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1314654' first='Preston' last='Arndt'], DL, LaMoure-Litchville-Marion 2027</strong> <a href="https://x.com/PrestonArndt81">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's worth repeating that I hardly see freshmen standing out at the NDSU prospect camp due to the 600+ athletes in attendance and Preston was one of very rew I recall from last summer. This young man on tape has continued his attention to detail from camp by improving his pad-level since I saw him in Fargo and it shows vividly on tape. The range he shows off with those hands on tape also intrigues me as he looks like he plays way bigger than the 6'0 200 pound frame he has as a defensive end. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1320074' first='Mason' last='Warcken'], QB, LaMoure-Litchville-Marion 2027</strong> <a href="https://x.com/MasonWarcken6">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We got back to back with LLM recruiting targets from #64 to #63 with Loboes quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1320074' first='Mason' last='Warcken']. Mason is one that showed his flashes during the 9-man state championship game, as one that showed off balanced footwork and a fluid release in the reps I was able to watch. He has some development as far as picking up speed with that release, however when this young man has a cleaner pocket than what we saw against NLS, he shows a bigger ceiling in my eyes and as just a sophomore he has plenty of time to develop. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1314713' first='Zachary' last='Long'], TE, Bismarck St. Mary's 2027</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1653975,"width":"317px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_2019-rotated-crop-481x316-1744149829.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1653975" style="width:317px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zachary is one we are still awaiting with what his tape looks like, however despite that I was impressed with the live reps he showed during last winter's Prep Redzone Dakotas Combine. He showed off good looking fluid movement as a route-runner in the reps I was able to watch and make some receptions in Aberdeen that showed off the athleticsm that is there for Zachary. One that I feel has a high ceiling as a TE prospect I could see hit a growth spurt in the coming years as my eyes feel his best football is coming along further over the next couple of years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1219685' first='Ivan' last='Hopfauf'], WR, Mandan 2027</strong> <a href="https://x.com/HopfaufIvan">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1653976,"width":"317px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_1936-rotated-crop-481x316-1744149877.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1653976" style="width:317px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5'7 155 pounder from Mandan, is one that at each of the last few Prep Redzone Dakotas Combines, he has shown his progression while also growing frame since when we first evaluated him as a freshmen. He is another in the category, his best ball is ahead of him as he looked smoother during our combine in Aberdeen with his hands in higher traffic areas. The tape shows off a WR target that shows off versatility on his routes and if his first look isn't there, Ivan is one that can improvise well mid-route with use of his speed and change of direction. I feel that Ivan's junior year could be the year where you start seeing the splash he could make in my eyes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1625480' first='Grayson' last='Mowery'], OL, West Fargo Sheyenne 2027</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As an evaluator/recruiter, you always have to take a look at offensive line targets that show off the early frame that looks appealing, because that is going to pay more dividends than not towards the end of their career, which is the case with West Fargo Sheyenne 2027 offensive linemen [player_tooltip player_id='1625480' first='Grayson' last='Mowery'] who is already 6'4 240 pounds as a sophmore. I buy stock in Grayson's upside because in two years in track and field, he has nearly doubled his shotput distance which shows off a growth curve that intrigues me despite very light tape at the moment. He shows the upside on tape that shows he can get his defender into the second level, and one that is more polished than I was expecting with his technique. Next-level football pedigree also pays dividends for this young man, as his older brother [player_tooltip player_id='1184870' first='Xander' last='Mowery'] (2025 class) had a handful of Division II offers and the frame might already be in Grayson's favor as we look ahead at these 2027 ND rankings in the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->