2024 Rankings Update: Meet the Biggest 12 Stockrisers in SD

<!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"16px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:16px"><strong>SOUTH DAKOTA--</strong> Because this 2024 South Dakota class is super deep, we saw a ton of stockrisers to take into consideration for this first list of stock-rising prospects from the Mount Rushmore State. This list of a <strong>dozen</strong> prospects all have next-level skill with a heavy plate of prospects that can play Division I, Division II or NAIA football. Time to dig into it!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Brandon Kjetland, OL, Canistota (2024)</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/KjetlandBrandon">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>It sure as heck seems like every-time I get the chance to evaluate Brandon, he gets even stronger and stronger in the weight room as Brandon checks in at #30 overall in South Dakota in our 2024 rankings at 6'5 275 pounds.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Brandon shows off some great versatility with his blocking skillsets, as one that has so much force in his punch however can win the leverage battle as well as a OL prospect that punches like a man amongst boys. He shows so much consistency getting into the second level as well.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>One small development I would like to see out of Brandon is his footwork, as he's got a strong ceiling of where that can take him as far as development as we look to the next-level. I certainly could see Brandon as a potential target at the FCS/high Division II level that should have a HUGE summer at prospect camps.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='294167' first='Aiden' last='Geraets'], LB, Dell Rapids (2024)</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/AidenGeraets13">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>There is a reason why [player_tooltip player_id='294167' first='Aiden' last='Geraets'] of Dell Rapids might be one of the biggest stockrisers on our South Dakota stockrisers as Aiden plays with such outstanding instinct and excellent mobility around the inside box.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>He also has a significant twitch off the snap when attacking the middle of the A-gap to get into the backfield, as he has some moves in his plethora to win with his speed to the ball and get the offensive line off balance with his footwork.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Another skillset I love about Aiden as a coach on the field to his teammates. He also has some excellent vision to visualize the best angle to the ball he can get as this young man meets the ball carrier with some strong textbook physicality. He certainly grades out like a great fit in the NSIC potentially FCS.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Zak Juelfs, OL, Sturgis Brown (2024)</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/JuelfsZak">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Zak is another 10+ spot mover in our South Dakota 2024 class rankings. Regardless of which side of the line Zak lines up on, rest assured that you can consistently depend on this kid to win with his leverage.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>He has some positional flexibility that could play on either side of the line at the next-level even though I see his best fit position wise on the defensive line, due to the pressing hands this kid has that shows off some raw yet juicy agility. You can expect that once Zak presses into the second level on the offensive line, that he is going to always finish off his block until that whistle blows.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Zak also is super efficient with his pad-level on both sides of the ball and is one that I would certainly grade out as a great fit in the NSIC or RMAC, as the RMAC is a hotbed for recent Sturgis Brown prospects.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='533133' first='Peter' last='Jal'], DL, Sioux Falls Lincoln (2024)</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/Pete_Jal">Twitter</a> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Peter was a first look defensive end prospect that got on my radar at this winter's Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcase in Aberdeen.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>What pops out first with Peter is his elusive swim moves he shows off on tape as that agility pops out between the blockers en-route into the backfield. Peter you can also dive into how well-versed his football IQ is as he's a reader of the offense line and will adjust to grow a better angle look as he crashes into the backfield.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Peter also has those fighting hands that will win several 1v1 battles as he gets into his senior season. The biggest development for this young man is working on his leverage utilizing his strength. He has the agility for sure, but if he can grow his 6'1 215 pound frame even stronger in the weight room, should pave his path as a scholarship level defensive end at the next level.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='447245' first='Nic' last='Gaspar'], ATH, Dell Rapids St. Mary (2024)</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/nic_gaspar3">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Moving up double-digit spots, we take a look at Dell Rapids St. Mary swiss-army knife [player_tooltip player_id='447245' first='Nic' last='Gaspar'], who sled just inside our top 80 prospects in the Dakotas from Monday's update.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Nic is a hard-nosed player and it doesn't matter which side of the ball he is on. Nic has a quick punch of speed even with ankle biters at his lower body, he shows off a ton of growing durability thru contact.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Nic also shows off some clips that show off his awareness around the edges of the field as a pass-catcher. Nic's drive in his lower body whether it is pulling away from the secondary with his finished running-ability or driving his hips thru contact, I love the upside of Nic being another Dell Rapids St. Mary Cardinal playing at the next-level.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='174170' first='Jett' last='Carlson'], Punter, Aberdeen Central (2024)</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/carlson_jett">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Taking a look at South Dakota's #1 ranked punter, we look at Aberdeen Central's [player_tooltip player_id='174170' first='Jett' last='Carlson'] who is one of the first punters we have ever evaluated in our rankings since 2020.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Jett's first punts show off some sizable hangtime and some solid length to go with it. I also was intrigued with the dropJett's pinned punts hit with as they show some good potential looking at the future. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li> A big thing I look for in high school punters is how consistent is their hangtime and length? Jett crosses off both of those bullet points as this young man does a excellent job with that consistency. With Aberdeen, South Dakota being a hotbed for specialists over the last 20+ years it looks to me that [player_tooltip player_id='174170' first='Jett' last='Carlson'] might be next, as a solid field position specialist you can rely on.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='289599' first='Dashawn' last='Rohlik'], DL, Sioux Falls Jefferson (2024)</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/DashawnRohlik">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Watching Dashawn's fire off the ball is eventful to watch and has grown so much from his 2021 tape, as Dashawn checks in at #14 overall and #2 for DL in the Mount Rushmore State.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>He's got some extremely loose hands off his sheds, but yet also has a ton of strength to win the rep with such pure leverage from the point of attack with growing pad-level, which all of those skillsets check even more boxes growing from his 2021 campaign. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Dashawn has some position versatility to play anywhere on the defensive line, but his best next-level fit sits with me at defensive tackle, as the pure athletic strength Dashawn has along with his his measurables. Dashawn has one NSIC offer so far locally, but I could see this kid being a excellent FCS fit once he gets on the Dakotas prospect camp circuits this summer.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='174200' first='Trae' last='Piel'], ATH, Dakota Valley (2024)</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/TraePiel">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Trae has blown the cover off our testing sessions at Prep Redzone Showcase he's been attendance at and most recently at the Next-Gen Camp in Texas with such an explosive broad jump. Trae moves up as our #15 overall prospect in South Dakota and #2 amongst athletes.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>He has such an elusive burst out of the snap it will keep the secondary on their toes very early in the play, as his 6'3 size don't just show off long strides, he also plays with a ton of force that go bigger than his measurables show off, as Trae also has some very athletic hands he shows off on tape.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>As he's ranked as an athlete, Trae might have the most position flexibility on this list. however all eyes point at the wide receiver spot for me as there is so much explosion in his lower body to show off great rounds of burst, route creativity, and a prospect with an excellent feel for the football with his high level of football IQ. Certainly a SD prospect that will likely have a blow-up summer at camps.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='289604' first='Dreavin' last='Hodge'], RB, Sioux Falls Lincoln (2024)</strong> Twitter</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>After taking home RB MVP at our Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcase, Sioux Falls Lincoln running back [player_tooltip player_id='289604' first='Dreavin' last='Hodge'] moves up to the #3 spot for running backs in South Dakota.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Dreavin ran a verified 4.56 40 yard dash at our showcase in Aberdeen, and that speed and agility we saw this winter, consistently shows off on tape. Another skillset that is impressive with Dreavin is just how tough this young man is getting yards after contact as Dreavin will fight for every darn yard he can get.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Dreavin is one of the smoothest north-south running backs the state of South Dakota has to offer in this 2024 class. He might have one of the biggest ceilings of our list of South Dakota stockrisers, as I would expect him to become an enticing prospect to know at camps this summer and expect that 6'0 185 pound frame to become even more of a hard-nosed agile running back with explosion as we start looking at the 2023 season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='174204' first='Carter' last='Randall'], LB, McCook Central-Montrose (2024)</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/CarterRandall9">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>One of my inside sources stated when watching Carter's tape "this kid can play for me anytime," and I couldn't agree more with that statement when you turn on the 2022 tape of McCook Central-Montrose linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='174204' first='Carter' last='Randall'], who checks in just inside our top 70 overall in South Dakota.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Carter has the rangy instincts to certainly play at the next-level, as he checks off as a sideline to sideline linebacker that shows off some swift hands to eat up the backfield and adds much bigger physicality with his wrestling background when he makes contact.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Carter also shows off some good athletic skill in pass-coverage, as he logged a team-high four interceptions as a junior and also led the Fighting Cougars in tackles in 2022. If I was a college football recruiter, and I wanted a linebacker just under my measurables threshold for the linebacker position, you can bet I would take a chance on this young man as one that should get a lot of attention this summer from the Dakota's smaller schools as a small school gem.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='447234' first='Thomas' last='Risty'], DL, Brandon Valley (2024)</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/RistyThomas">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Thomas checks in inside our top 75 prospects in South Dakota, and is up just under 50 spots from our last Dakotas update, a big jumper from last time with updated junior tape.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>At 6'2 220 pounds, Thomas does a solid job with his point of attack and winning with leverage to get under, and into the backfield. He has some development I would love to see more of with his balance as at times, he can get maneuvered off his line to the ball carrier.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Thomas certainly does have some twitch to him off the snap, and I was intrigued watching how fast his hands move with his shedding ability. He has some raw skill, but the upside he could grow on this offseason into this summer camp season, certainly shows a high ceiling I see playing scholarship-level football.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='305692' first='Trey' last='Gerdes'], TE, Lennox (2024)</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/trey11g">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Trey checks in as TE3 on our South Dakota 2024 class rankings, and a tight end with plenty of potential as we look into his senior season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>At 6'3 195 pounds, Trey shows off a good fire off the snap and to me looks like a football prospect that is still developing into his body, which has to excite college football coaches throughout the Dakotas. I love watching Trey will his downhill running-ability when he gets into the open field, as he looks like a downhill freight train that I wouldn't want to face if I was in the secondary.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Trey also impresses with his big hands and wide catch radius. Trey also shows off some active hands as a blocker, as he has the skillsets to drive block his defenders into the second level, and plays with a chip on his shoulder no matter where he is on offense. He certainly should get some next-level looks this summer.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->