If you followed our 11AA State Championship game coverage, you would know that West Fargo Horace 2026 cornerback Israel Bauer Israel Bauer 5'11" | 170 lbs | WR/DB West Fargo Horace | 2026 State ND was the pulse for the Hawks the winning game MVP and our Prep Redzone Dakotas game MVP last November getting them their first ever state championship. Already up to four offers and two FCS offers from Idaho State and Prairie View A&M (TX), the 5’11 170 pounder plays with super intriguing length with a 6’3 wingspan as you can quickly see it in the live eval and on tape. Israel has some of the best footwork in this cornerback group and I love that he is playing 7v7 this winter to get more 1v1 reps against prime competition which to me is benefical to any defensive back. Every rep Israel gets, he plays with a presence and is versatile stopping the run on tape when the ball doesn’t come his way. Israel is another that it won’t surprise me if he moves up a spot or two by next 2026 update, as this young man is one of the state’s best playmakers on defense.

Israel was one of my favorite 2026 wide receivers I covered at camps this summer, so it’s no secret to us at PRZ as to why he is off to a strong start with the Hawks in the 2024 season. He plays with a ton of finesse upon getting the football in his hands and I have seen the growth that Israel quickly grew this summer with how sudden this young can be in the open field as you can tell he has put in the work with his COD and burst over the last few months and beyond. I also have been impressed with Israel is pass coverage at corner, as his footwork and physical ball tracking ability has seemed to catch several wide receivers off line with his overall presence as he plays way bigger than his measurables. There are not too many 2026s that have offers yet in North Dakota, but Israel already has two on his resume which shows off a great sign for his next-level future as I could certainly see more recruiting steam coming over the next several months.