2021 Rankings: The Stock Risers Group One
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In this multi-part series, we take a look at the first group of Stock Risers aka the ones that made the biggest jumps in our 2021 rankings from October until now. We will analyze where they were rankings in our…
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Continue ReadingIn this multi-part series, we take a look at the first group of Stock Risers aka the ones that made the biggest jumps in our 2021 rankings from October until now. We will analyze where they were rankings in our inaugural rankings back in 2020, where they moved and the why around them moving up significantly in our rankings!
Ethan Headlee Ethan Headlee 6'5" | 310 lbs | OL Harrisburg | 2021 State , OL, Harrisburg
Rankings: Up 7 spots to #13 from #20 from our inaugural October rankings.
The Why: From the beginning of the time we launched the site, I knew Headlee had the opportunity to be a Division I prospect but was one that had a ton of Division II offers due to the current world of recruiting we are in. I am a firm believer in the “film doesn’t lie” aspect, so when I was paging thru Ethan’s final senior season for our Hog Molly of the Year award, it didn’t take long before I knew I had our winner. Days later, South Dakota State pulled off a steal and got Headlee to commit as a preferred walk-on. This is going to be a kid that is going to work his butt off, and his excellent frame (6’5, 310) will get him some opportunities for playing time much sooner, as he’s not one that needs to fill out as much as some OL they’ll bring in as a freshman. Don’t be surprised to see Headlee on scholarship very soon with the Jackrabbits.
Simon Romfo Simon Romfo 5'11" | 175 lbs | QB Langdon (ND) | 2021 State , QB, Langdon Area
Rankings: Up 10 spots to #18 from #28 from our inaugural October rankings.
The Why: When you can impress the likes of our National Director of Scouting here at Prep Redzone as a kid from small-town North Dakota, you’re doing something right. Romfo is a defense’s nightmare when he leaves the pocket with all his burst and excellent mobility. His ability to throw on the run is another impressive aspect of his game. Romfo is a proven winner who won three state championships and finished with a 37-0 record. If, for some reason, this kid doesn’t get a preferred walk-on at the Divison I level in the coming months, my jaw may hit the floor because his talent level is off the charts.
Tucker Large Tucker Large 5'11" | 170 lbs | DB SF Roosevelt | 2021 State , DB, Sioux Falls Roosevelt
Rankings: Up 9 spots to #21 from #30 from our inaugural October rankings.
The Why:
The future Jackrabbit got a bump in our rankings because I think he’s my favorite corner in the Dakotas that frequently plays press coverage and does it at a very high level. Large is a perfect spy, as he’s a ballhawk that can reappear on any, even if you didn’t expect him to. Large’s ability to wrap up tackle is another excellent strength our #2 DB in the Dakotas has, and he nails it from a physical standpoint.
Biggest Movers from Group One
Dawson Schmidt Dawson Schmidt 6'4" | 190 lbs | WR Watertown | 2021 State , WR, Watertown
Rankings: Up 20 spots to #27 from #47 from our inaugural October rankings.
The Why: Schmidt was one that took his October ranking to the field and used all that as fuel on the football field, which is how we recommend it done, kids! If I needed a deep ball receiver to win me a football game, you best believe Dawson Schmidt Dawson Schmidt 6'4" | 190 lbs | WR Watertown | 2021 State is the one I want to get the football; his outstanding range and strong leaping ability go hand and hand and make him the best deep-ball threat in the Dakotas from the 2021 class. I also saw Schmidt make some acrobatic catches that didn’t look human this season in which he logged 12 touchdowns to conclude his Watertown Arrows career. Northern State landed a player that I believe we’ll see on SportsCenter’s top 10 plays, to make that a second Northern Sun player that’s done that!
Corbin Sohler Corbin Sohler 5'11" | 200 lbs | RB Yankton | 2021 State , RB, Yankton
Rankings: Up 29 spots to #23 from #51 from our inaugural October rankings.
The Why: Sohler is one of two on this list; I will admit we messed up when our inaugural rankings came out in October and should have been much higher. His two things I love about his game are; versatility and his vision. Yankton lined up Sohler in multiple areas on the football field, and he stayed consistent with his runs regardless of where he started. His vision is another strength, as he relies on it heavily as an inside runner and one that does not shy away from contact on any of his runs. Sohler will play football at Mount Marty next year, which is starting off on the right foot of their new program recruiting extremely locally with the 2021 class, adding Sohler (who had D1 and D2 opportunities), ATH Trevor Fitzgerald Trevor Fitzgerald 6'1" | 195 lbs | ATH Yankton | 2021 State , and LB Brodey Peterson Brodey Peterson 5'10" | 195 lbs | DL Yankton | 2021 State , all of who won’t have to change locker rooms anytime soon over the next four years.
Tyce Ortman Tyce Ortman 5'10" | 185 lbs | ATH Canistota-Freeman | 2021 State , ATH, Canistota-Freeman
Rankings: Up 21 spots to #31 from #52 from our inaugural October rankings.
The Why: It took one full game for me watching Canistota-Freeman in the state championship game to realize, “Yep, Ortman’s the real deal.” Ortman showed off a fantastic drive after contact and looked like a man amongst boys on the field. Ortman proved himself on both sides of the ball that he is the #1 Athlete in all of the Dakotas, and here is why. 1) To be the best, you have to do it on both sides. Ortman runs with excellent finesse and power on offense and is a ballhawk on defense that logged near 50 tackles on the season. 2) Physicality is key on both sides. On defense, Ortman feeds off contact and is an excellent tackler. Offensively, Ortman’s power in his legs allows him to show plenty of yards after contact in his near 1300 rushing yard season. Another proven winner that won three championships with the Pride and I believe is worthy of a Northern Sun offer in the next month or so.