South Dakota 2023’s Next Up to Get an Offer
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After a short hiatus helping out some of our other Midwest states, I turn my focus fully back to Dakotas. We start out with South Dakota and take a look at five prospects who could be some of the next…
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Continue ReadingAfter a short hiatus helping out some of our other Midwest states, I turn my focus fully back to Dakotas. We start out with South Dakota and take a look at five prospects who could be some of the next out the gates to get an offer out of the Class of 2023. Division I offers have already been handed out not only sooner in this 2023 class, but I think when it’s all said and done this might be one of the deepest classes I have evaluated in our time in the Dakotas, which is something I am excited to see come into play over the next several months!
Jason Maciejczak Jason Maciejczak 6'4" | 320 lbs | OL Pierre | 2023 State | Offensive Line | Douglas
Watching Jason go to work on the offensive line is so entertaining to watch. He has such violent hands and attacks right where you need to on the defender’s body to have the biggest line of contact. As a 6’4 320 pound linemen, this young man works his tail off in so many different positions for the Douglas Patriots he is a must watch if you are a team going against him to see where he lines up. Jason also has the finisher mentality I would love every offensive linemen to have. Just because he knows he is likely the biggest kid on the field at any time, does not mean he sheds off his physicality on any play I have watched from both sides of the ball. I have said it before, he is for sure a Division I offensive line and in my eyes, will be one of the first ones to get an offer in the Dakotas due to his physicality, solid frame, and much more. By far the best offensive linemen the West River has to offer.
Richard Benenge Richard Benenge 6'2" | 220 lbs | LB Harrisburg | 2023 State | Linebacker | Sioux Falls Roosevelt
We have seen already working hard this offseason to get his name out of there, going to national combines, etc. Richard is super fast off his sheds and has such an instinctive ability when crashing to the football. He plays with a large coverage area and has great speed to maneuver from point a to point b. Leaving this young man unblocked is such a disservice to the offense as his motor is always running on full. Richard is very fundamentally sound on his tackles and can get a high physicality when he has momentum. He also has next-level measurables already stocked up (6’1 220), as the #1 linebacker in the Dakotas has Division I football in his veins while hearing from plenty Power 5 and FCS options already throughout the Midwest.
Gavin Ross Gavin Ross 5'11" | 205 lbs | RB Harrisburg | 2023 State | Running Back | Harrisburg
Using the word monster to describe Gavin’s junior season is an understatement, paving his way to 24 total touchdowns and nearly 2200 all-purpose yards in South Dakota’s highest division. Gavin shows a ton of durability in his running ability, as he can run thru traffic at a high level with his excellent vision. He shows shifty footwork that can shake a defender out of their shoes and then show off his burst after doing so. There is also a lot to like the speed that can come out when he breaks thru contact. I believe while watching his film, that Gavin has more speed in his development process and we will see him in 2022 with even more burst and elusiveness in his already powered running arsenal. Division I prospect in my eyes for sure and would be a fun watch at the FCS level.
Gabe Gutierrez Gabe Gutierrez 6'2" | 225 lbs | LB Sioux Falls Lincoln | 2023 State | Linebacker | Sioux Falls Lincoln
Gabe is one of the only prospects on this list I got to watch live in the 2021, but man oh man did he leave a lasting impression. He showed off a later down power-back that just bulldozes downhill when running inside and thru ample contact. As a linebacker, Gabe has an excellent punch and a massive motor that when its powered up in your backfield, you should be expecting very physical contact on one of your ball carriers. Gabe is one of the biggest hitters I have watched out of this junior class in the Dakotas, and is going to be a solid stockriser in our upcoming Class of 2023 rankings. He certainly projects in that Division I level and has already gotten some attention from Power 5 and FCS schools.
Bennett Dannenbring Bennett Dannenbring 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB SF O'Gorman | 2023 State | Quarterback | Sioux Falls O’Gorman
Getting to watch Bennett this summer, I saw not only strong mechanics but excellent legs as he was one of the fastest QBs from the SDSU prospect camp amongst the Dakota’s QBs in attendance. When following Bennett’s eyes he is just consistently moving, not selling on just one wide receiver, he has the quick instincts to evaluate all his options. Bennett also has strong awareness with his legs, as I watched his season I saw him make more and more smoother plays when extending plays on the ground. One of the favorite throws I love watching him make is over his wide receiver’s back shoulder, as his touch ball placement on that mark shows to be really consistent across his film. To go for 3000 total yards and 31 touchdowns as just a first-year starter in South Dakota’s largest division, I am glad to hear college coaches already say that this young man in the end, could be one of the best in all of South Dakota’s Class of 2023 for quarterbacks showing that he is already on the bulk of the radars that spent time in Brookings this summer.
Note, there will be plenty more of these articles coming out over the offseason!