South Dakota Hog Molly of the Year: The Nominees/2022 Watchlist
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Let’s face it, how productive is offense without the guys up front paving the way to your passing game and your rushing attack? With that being said, the offensive line is one of the most underappreciated units in all of…
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Continue ReadingLet’s face it, how productive is offense without the guys up front paving the way to your passing game and your rushing attack? With that being said, the offensive line is one of the most underappreciated units in all of football. What are we doing in the Dakotas to change that narrative? With offensive linemen, you have heard the term “Hog Molly,” which defines an offensive lineman that works in the trenches to pave lanes for his running backs and gives his quarterback the ample time make a big throw.
I give you the Class of 2021 nominees for the inaugural Prep Redzone Dakotas “Hog Molly of the Year” award for the state of South Dakota. You’ll also meet a few names that might be taking this award home next year from the 2022 class. We will decide on a winner of this award next Wednesday at 8 PM Central Time. Enjoy!
Sam Kohls Sam Kohls 6'4" | 285 lbs | OL SF Roosevelt | 2021 State , Sioux Falls Roosevelt
Kohls has some of the faster feet on this list. His positioning on the line is stout at 6’4 310 pounds that are also in the driver’s seat on multiple defenders’ levels. His ability to shove defensive linemen around almost looks effortless as he packs a quick punch of knocking the defense on their rear end. Kohls is undoubtedly a strong contender for this award we will announce next week. South Dakota commit.
Ethan Headlee Ethan Headlee 6'5" | 310 lbs | OL Harrisburg | 2021 State , Harrisburg
I have said it before about Headlee; his engagement level on the line is something that stuck out to me when I built the site. Headlee can either play smash in the mouth right at the line, pull block to get his rushing attack on the outside, and is a finisher of blocks continuing to engaging with a defender while he has put them on their rear end. Headlee started his recruiting journey as a possible NAIA product but has raised that stock in a short time frame that he could be a steal at Division II level if he doesn’t get an FCS opportunity in the near future. Headlee is still undecided on next level plans and is one of the top unsigned seniors on Prep Redzone Dakotas rankings.
Caden Ellingson Caden Ellingson 6'7" | 245 lbs | OL Tea Area | 2021 State , Tea Area
Ellingson is a two-way player that stays really engaged on that first level line. Ellingson paved the way for plenty of yards this season from Austin Lake and Kaden Johnson Kaden Johnson 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB Tea Area | 2021 State for the Titans. Ellingson also is a finishing type blocker. I see Ellingson as a next-level defensive end because of how well he sheds off blocks. South Dakota added another possible Hog Molly of the Year in Ellingson back in June.
Ryan Dodds Ryan Dodds 6'1" | 270 lbs | OL Dakota Valley | 2021 State , Dakota Valley
A probable dark horse on this list, Dodds is not only a physical offensive lineman but a wiz kid in the classroom with a 4.0 GPA and a 32 on the ACT. As the Panthers man in the middle at center, Dodds engagement level is strong, and he can get multiple punches on numerous levels. Dodds could use some development as far as his speed on the line. Dodds has quite the display of offers and has the most roster spot opportunities in the Dakotas, from programs from the state of Washington to Arkansas and everywhere in between.
Parker Theobald Parker Theobald 6'2" | 245 lbs | DL Brookings | 2021 State , Brookings
Theobald, in my opinion, has the absolute quickest feet on this list. Offensive linemen stats are hard to get and to track, but his teammate and fellow Stewartville (MN) transfer and recent SDSU commit Josh Buri Josh Buri 5'11" | 210 lbs | RB Brookings | 2021 State rallied for first down plus an extra yard (11 ypc) per carry this season in large part to Theobald leading the pack of offensive linemen along with juniors Brock Longville Brock Longville 6'3" | 220 lbs | DL Brookings | 2022 State , Magnus Nelson Magnus Nelson 6'1" | 250 lbs | DL Brookings | 2022 State , and Perry King Perry King 6'3" | 265 lbs | OL Brookings | 2022 State for Brookings. Theobald looks to have all the tools to be a fantastic next-level defensive end. Theobald currently holds three Division II offers, which I’m sure more are coming as the Dakotas has been a hot spot recruiting wise over the last few days.
Tyler Kjetland Tyler Kjetland 6'4" | 270 lbs | OL Bridgewater-Emery | 2021 State , Bridgewater-Emery
If I had an award for “Center of the Year,” it would undoubtedly go to Tyler Kjetland Tyler Kjetland 6'4" | 270 lbs | OL Bridgewater-Emery | 2021 State in the Dakotas. The Northern State commit is exceptionally physical and gets his pancakes quickly because he is such an aggressive blocker that stays extremely low to get his leverage on guys. Kjetland used his senior season to raise his stock going into October with no offers to date and ended with three offers and headed to Aberdeen after a late-season push. Wolves got a steal with this Seahawk from Bridgewater-Emery.
Jacob Wagner Jacob Wagner 6'6" | 270 lbs | OL McCook Central/Montrose | 2021 State , McCook Central/Montrose
Wagner has an excellent engagement level on the offensive line. A big frame at 6’6 275 pounds, Wagner’s drive in his feet is outstanding. Wagner can get to the first and second level with his physicality. Wagner is, by far, one of the best small-school linemen in South Dakota. After getting three football offers from the Northern Sun and an offer from NAIA powerhouse, Morningside, Wagner will be 30 minutes up I-90 in Sioux Falls as he committed to Augustana.
2022 WATCHLIST
These names are the names from the 2022 class that could tape this title next year. Check out their films and decide who could be the early favorites in no particular order!
Nick Bunkers Nick Bunkers 6'1" | 280 lbs | OL SF Roosevelt | 2022 State , Sioux Falls Roosevelt
Aiden Brink Aiden Brink OL SF Washington | 2022 State , Sioux Falls Washington
Joseph Cotton, Sioux Falls Roosevelt
Mason Jacobson Mason Jacobson 6'5" | 270 lbs | OL Harrisburg | 2022 State , Harrisburg
Jordan Larsen, Harrisburg
Jace Sifore Jace Sifore 6'4" | 270 lbs | DL Howard | 2022 State , Howard
Sifore is probably the most college-ready offensive linemen in 9-man football in South Dakota. His 6’4 265-pound frame is something to watch out of the Howard Tigers in his senior season.
Josh Larsen Josh Larsen 6'5" | 290 lbs | OL Harrisburg | 2022 State , Harrisburg