2023 Dakotas Rankings: New Additions, Part II
In this article:
DAKOTAS– Because I spent my morning and late evening on a train commute (with WIFI) to and from work, we keep it moving with our New Additions to our recent Class of 2023 Dakotas ranking update. We move up and…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingDAKOTAS– Because I spent my morning and late evening on a train commute (with WIFI) to and from work, we keep it moving with our New Additions to our recent Class of 2023 Dakotas ranking update. We move up and over the Top 100 and tell you about the top prospects that were new adds for us in the 100-130 range which to our Prep Redzone Dakotas (college subscribers) puts these athletes in range to be stellar NAIA, D3 or JUCO prospects. Take a look at the next five on our new additions!
Tahrye Frank, WR, Mandan (ND) (2023)
- Tahyre may only play at about 6’1 210 pounds; however, when he extends for his reach to make big plays on intermediate routes, he looks like he stretches out at like a 6’2 or 6’3 wide receiver in stride.
- All-State WR last season in North Dakota, Tahyre has competitive hands and is a solid route runner that can gauge the ball really well with his vision within all traffic levels within the secondary.
- One of his catches against Bismarck Century this season (one-handed) just shows how pure of an athlete Tahrye has the ability to create his own route with a solid supply of double moves and other skillsets on a route he can utilize.
- Tahrye might be one of the biggest surprises thus far on this list without an offer as his skillsets certainly point like he will be a solid college football prospect at the next level but will need to grow on attaining a quicker get-off burst from the top of his route. Expect the North Dakota/Northern Minnesota schools in the NSIC to compete for this young man.
Mason DeSchepper Mason DeSchepper ATH Sioux Falls Roosevelt | 2023 State , ATH, Sioux Falls Roosevelt (SD) (2023)
- Even based on the first few clips, you can tell what a high-IQ football prospect Mason is, as I love his instinctive read steps from the linebacker position especially.
- Those versatile steps that Mason shows off make me like the odds for his next-level position to be a hybrid LB/DB, as he’s got enough twitch in his footwork to turn in several directions while showing off a player that works his tail off to gain position on every route he’s a part of within the other teams’ receiving core.
- Offensively from the wide receiver spot, Mason is a workhorse for yards after contact as his 6’0 195 pound frame has a mean stiff-arm and lower body durability that resonates well to the next level, which is why I labeled him as an athlete on our recent rankings because he has such versatile skillsets on both ends of the ball.
- Another surprise prospect just outside the top 100 without an offer; however, Mason’s skillsets are so well-balanced and he has an excellent work ethic, I would be be surprised if he didn’t get an offer or two from a local program by the end of this 2022 fall season.
Jaden Eddy Jaden Eddy LB Bridgewater-Emery-Ethan | 2023 State , LB, Bridgewater-Emery-Ethan (SD) (2023)
- Do not let Jaden’s 160-pound frame fool you, this young man has that knockback ability from the linebacker spot you want on your team and if you can add 20-25 pounds on him in a college weight room, I can only imagine how more physical Jaden will get from it.
- Jaden has good read steps going into the inside zone and I saw that at the Jamestown Jimmies prospect camp this summer. There is room for development on becoming more instintive with those steps in my eyes as I think this kid has plenty of growth left in his arsenal looking ahead.
- Jaden also gets reps at RB for the Seahawks and shows off similar traits from the defensive side of the ball: just a hard-nosed prospect that is not afraid of contact in any shape or form on the inside hash.
- Holds one NAIA offer at the moment and I wouldn’t be surprised to see some South Dakota NAIA schools make the short reach for Jaden this fall.
Elijah Hayes Elijah Hayes 5'10" | 220 lbs | ATH Fargo Davies | 2023 State , ATH, Fargo Davies (ND) (2023)
- Elijah shows a chizzeled frame in his 5’10 220 pound body that shows off plenty of quality skillsets on both sides of the ball.
- At fullback you get the best of both worlds with Elijah, as this young man is a fighter thru first contact and can carry a sufficient load of defenders dragging at his feet and also has an sufficient pad-level in his punch which shows a lot of rumble in blocking schemes.
- I like Elijah in a blitz formation coming from the middle linebacker spot as he has a very active get off that plays with strong finesse for his size.
- Elijah also has the well done football IQ built in when making his blocks, as the follow vision he has in his plethora of skillsets are some of the best I have seen from the fullback position in the Dakotas, in the 2023 class as I also like his balance with his contact knowing when to drive vs. utilizing just a shove of the defender in his way.
Kelby Hett Kelby Hett QB Harding County-Bison | 2023 State , QB, Harding County-Bison (SD) (2023)
- Kelby’s tape starts out with a quick release that has some development to come thru mechanically as I think he can become more balanced in his throw, as he has the poise down.
- I love his entergetic burst in an RPO setting getting to the outside edge, as he shows a quick rhythm to tuck and run before the defense bats an eye where the football might be.
- The touch side of his deep ball shows some great ball placement and I like Kelby’s mix of throws he shows off on tape as they all show off a competitive QB that has the fearless demeanor to thread the needle into tighter windows if need be.
- Another developmental thought as we look into Kelby as a next-level prospect would be to become more familiar with the timing going thru his progressions to throw the ball. He’s got the speed to fly thru on the run, but after that first read isn’t there he shows the run when he could be missing 2nd or 3rd opportunities to throw instead of taking what can be a risky path for a QB on the run at a small school level.