By Ryan Deal 

605 Sports

Zabel, a 2020 Pierre High School graduate, is the biggest South Dakota headliner in this year’s NFL Draft. An FCS All-American at North Dakota State, Zabel has skyrocketed up draft boards in the pre-draft process and could hear his name called in Thursday’s first round. 

Zabel, a 6-foot-6, 310-pound versatile offensive lineman, improved his draft stock with impressive showings at the Reese’s Senior Bowl and NFL Combine. He could be the first South Dakotan taken in the first round since Parkston’s Riley Reiff in 2012 to the Detroit Lions. 

NFL.com has Zabel projected as a first or second round pick, with NFL analyst Lance Zierlein writing: “Tough-guy profile on this prospect coming out of North Dakota State. Zabel has an NFL frame with room for additional mass and possesses a good starting point in terms of his play strength. He has to play with really quick hands and good feet in order to compensate for short arms that make sustaining blocks and controlling pass rushers more challenging. Teams might ask Zabel to snap during draft season in order to project positional flexibility.”

Hutmacher, a 2020 Chamberlain High School graduate, is a defensive line prospect from the University of Nebraska. A 6-foot-4, 314-pound lineman, who carries the nickname “The Polar Bear,” was an all-conference performer for the Huskers. Hutmacher, a four-time Class A state champion wrestler in South Dakota, also spent time wrestling for the Huskers. 

NFL.com has Hutmacher projected as a priority free agent, with Zierlein saying: “With broad hips, a barrel chest and short arms, Hutmacher is built for combat in tight spaces. He’s a leverage-based nose tackle who can play under the pads of single blocks and slow down double-teams, but his lack of length makes him more of a block fighter than block controller. He can bully his way into the backfield if he finds an edge but does not have enough rush talent by NFL standards. Hutmacher’s toughness and power could give him a chance of making a roster as a backup nose tackle.”

Bohle, a 2018 Selby Area High School graduate, is a 6-foot-6, 310-pound offensive lineman from Arizona State, where he finished up a long and winding college football career. Bohle began his career as a redshirt tight end at Division II Northern State University in Aberdeen, and later transformed into an all-conference offensive lineman for the Wolves. He threw his name into the transfer portal, and Division I suitors were intrigued. He signed with Arizona State in 2022 and played in 27 career games with the Sun Devils. He played in all 12 games in 2022, broke his leg early in the 2023 season, and played 14 games last season, after he was granted a seventh year of eligibility.

Bohle does not have an NFL.com draft page, but could sign an undrafted rookie free agent deal after the draft.