Nate's ND Big Dogs of the Week: Week 3-4 Defense

We scanned thru the available tape that was out there on North Dakota prospects from last Friday night's games. Being that a lot are still uploading, editing, etc. we start out with the early defensive standouts!   Isaac Silvernagel, DE Linton-Hazelton-Moffit-Braddock 2026 <a href="https://x.com/isaacsilver07">Twitter</a>   Isaac is a 2026 defensive end from the Lions that had an impressive outing in their win against Grant County/Flasher. Isaac shows off an encourgaging motor off the snap and you can tell quicky he's a defensive end that plays bigger than his 6'3 185 pound frame. He shows that he can create chaos as a pass-rusher and even if he doesnt come up with the sack, the disruption is there for the taking for his teammates to blow up the ball carrier in the backfield. He certainly showed he is not a defensive end you want to give a free-rush to your quarterback as the length of strides Isaac need to get to the ball are long and quick with his fluid movement he generates. The next-level upside is there for Isaac at linebacker in my eyes.   [player_tooltip player_id='1568603' first='Evan' last='Berg'], LB, Minot North 2026 <a href="https://x.com/Eberg889">Twitter</a>   A linebacker that keeps catching my eyes in North Dakota is Minot North's [player_tooltip player_id='1568603' first='Evan' last='Berg'], and did so again this week. The tape shows off a middle linebacker that I believe has a growing footall IQ the more I watch the this season and the mix in run or pass coverage has gotten more balance. Evan is quick to identify the ball carrier with is sound short area vision that came alive this week against Grand Forks Red River. Another area of growth I have seen from Evan early into this season aligns with his footwork, as last week's tape shows how well he moves laterally down to the ball and eats up the gap as a run-stopper. On the first few clips of LB tape, you can't emphaize enough how much growth Evan's gained within the last 3-6 months and still is awaiting his first offer.   [player_tooltip player_id='1222779' first='Tanon' last='Johnson'], LB, Kindred 2026 <a href="https://x.com/Tanonjohnson55">Twitter</a>   A 2026 linebacker that to me moved the neddle with his recruitment up this summer, was Kindred's Tannon Johnson who is another LB that we liked in Week 3-4. The 6'1 215 pounder has a great understanding of gap responsibility as he filled into those gaps not only promptly last Friday night, but with great intent. I also could gauge that Tanon looks more fluid with his hand strength when he got off blocks to get to the point of attack with stopping trhe run. Another area that Tanon excelled in last week was his pursuit angles, as those appeared to be well-versed in the I was able to watch. Just one local NAIA offer at the moment for Tanon.   [player_tooltip player_id='1153941' first='Shawn' last='Kotrba'], DE, Fargo Shanley 2026 <a href="https://x.com/KotrbaShawn58">Twitter</a>   I do not think there was a more intriguing defensive end tape that I have seen thus far this week in North Dakota than what I saw from Fargo Shanley's [player_tooltip player_id='1153941' first='Shawn' last='Kotrba']. The 6'0 230 pounder was showed off the block destruction you want to see, showing very violent hands when getting off his blocks to the find the ball carrier. You talk about a kid that certainly has a motor? Shawn was everywhere within the Deacons inside box in their big win against Bismarck. Shawn is playing with a chip on his shoulder, as I am super impressed with how much more twitchy he has gotten since last season off the snap. Slight undersized? So what, this young man surely has the skills to play and develop on Saturdays.   [player_tooltip player_id='1591135' first='Jayden' last='Huesers'], LB, South Prairie 2026 <a href="https://x.com/Jaydenhuesers5">Twitter</a>   A new name that has come across our radar recently in North Dakota, has been [player_tooltip player_id='1591135' first='Jayden' last='Huesers'] of South Prairie who plays on both sides of the ball but showed off his production on the defensive side of the ball this week in our eyes. The 5'11 185 pounder shows off on his first clip the high physicality on contact and balanced angle that Jayden took on the ball carrier to slow down the run game. Jayden is a swiss-army knife on both sides of the ball but the defensive fit aligns as at linebacker as his motor and proactive lateral movement sets well on tape as a run stopper that can get off blocks pretty routinely. Certainly a small school fit to watch for further this season.

We scanned thru the available tape that was out there on North Dakota prospects from last Friday night's games. Being that a lot are still uploading, editing, etc. we start out with the early defensive standouts!