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There are three classes with 76 teams in 9-man football in South Dakota. That’s over 1,000 players to pick from and I narrowed it down to just nine. Obviously there are a ton of players who are uber-talented who didn’t make this list, but it successfully gets the conversation started.

 1. Karst Hunter, Sr. QB Miller/Highmore-Harrold

Karst Hunter is one of the best overall athletes in the state and he’s the best quarterback in 9-man football. Hunter threw and ran for over 1,000 yards as a junior. He spent the summer improving as an athlete and touring college campuses and decided to head to Brookings to become a Jackrabbit next year. Hunter is poised to lead his Rustlers to a big season this year.

 2. Trey King, Sr. QB/S Irene-Wakonda

If this list came down to stats alone, Trey King would be the tops hands down. Trey put up one of the best seasons statistically speaking in the history of 9-man football last year. This season he’ll be dominant once again but he’ll have to get it done with some new weapons on the team.

 3. Jett Lamb, Jr. DL/OL Sully Buttes

A dominant athlete who stands in at 6’3” 250+ is one of the best pulling blockers in the state. He is a huge weapon on the offensive line in the running game and gets to the ball from the defensive line as well. Jett is just a junior but next summer will be one of the most sought after lineman in college football.

 4. Bo Donald, Sr. OL/DL Kimball-White Lake

Another dominant lineman on this list. Bo has offers from NDSU and SDSU because he’s a 6’7”, 280 pound monster who can move. Bo plays center and defensive tackle and has the strength speed and size combination to take over games.

 5. Stanley Haskins Jr. Jr. FB/RB/DEF Britton-Hecla

Stanley started last season as a defensive tackle and ended up playing several positions for the state champs last year. He ended up rushing for 1,394 yards with 19 touchdowns on offense and 66 tackles, 4 sacks and 3 picks on defense. He has a chance to be the most dominant two-way impact player in the class this year.

 6. Michael Hofer Sr. RB/LB Howard

Michael has rushed for over 1,000 yards in his sophomore and his junior season. This year he joins an elite backfield in Howard as the focal point in their offense. Hofer packs a serious punch in a small package at 5’9”.

 7. Tucker Kraft Sr. RB Timber Lake

There aren’t many athletes in the state that can do what Tucker Kraft does. He overshadows players on the field from his 6’5”, 220-pound frame for Timber Lake. Although he projects as a tight end at the college level he lines up at running back and mows people over in high school. Tucker is a great basketball player as well but has decided to play football next year at SDSU.

 8. Jackson Kinzer, Sr. QB/DB Colome

Jackson is one of those kids who excels at whatever he does. Kinzer ran for 846 yards and 12 touchdowns last year and also scored four more TDs receiving. This year he is projected as the starting QB for Colome and should be one of the top dual threat quarterbacks in the state.

 9. Jharett Bloomenrader, Sr. TE Miller/Highmore-Harrold

Another big-time frame and big-time talent coming out of Highmore is Jharett Bloomenrader. The big tight end recently committed to play at South Dakota State next year. Bloomenrader shined at the Riggs Power Combine and should put up some big numbers in the passing game as a senior.