Iowa's C/O 2022 8-Player Playmakers You Need To Know

Don’t overlook these guys because there aren’t 22 players on the field; they can flat out ball and are as big time of playmakers you will find. You can bet your bottom dollar they would be human highlight reels in any class. [player_tooltip player_id="23965" first="Eddie" last="Burgess"], Montezuma, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11411366/Eddie-Burgess">HUDL</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/edburg154">Twitter</a> QB/LB, 6’4, 230 Burgess is a big, physical young man who brings the same intensity and elite athleticism to both sides of the ball. On offense he is a field general who can extend plays with keen awareness and throws a very accurate deep ball. He is deceptively fast, especially for his size, and very shifty. Watch out because he is not afraid to lower the shoulder and, at times, seems to seek out contact. Burgess is all over the field on defense in coverage and flying in the gaps against the run. He’s an instinctual ball hawk and a big hitter. I can see him playing many different positions at the next level with a lot of success. Conor Gruver, Easton Valley, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11152251/Conor-Gruver">HUDL</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/conorgruver12">Twitter</a> QB, 6’0, 160 Gruver is without a doubt one of the best pure passing quarterbacks in the state. Whether under center or out of the gun his mechanics are elite. He has a big, accurate arm and is capable of throwing a dime down field or threading the needle on crossing patterns or timing routes. Gruver’s pocket awareness stands out on film as he has the ability to step up or escape the pocket and keep his eyes on his targets. Gruver is clearly a cerebral player as you can see him make his reads and checkdowns on a lot of snaps. The top notch throwing mechanics really allow for a diverse passing game that keeps a defense on their toes. Gruver looks just as comfortable in the pocket stepping into his release as he does on the run throwing across his body. [player_tooltip player_id="98653" first="Leo" last="Dodd"], Janesville, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11274101/Leo-Dodd">HUDL</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/l_dodd_2">Twitter</a> QB, 5’11, 160 Dynamic is the word that comes to mind when watching Dodd lead his offense; there is a lot he has in the tool box that he can use to beat you. Dodd uses a really nice pump fake and does an excellent job of looking defenders off in coverages with his eyes to get his receivers open. He can also get the snap and get rid of the ball very quickly to pick coverage apart moving the ball down the field in chunks. Dodd is a magician eluding pressure in the backfield with his feet allowing receivers to break off their routes and lose coverage; he makes a lot of big plays down field when this happens. Dodd is an equally significant threat in the run game as he is so difficult to tackle in the open field; he can accelerate in bursts and cut on a dime. Damon Weber, Kee, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11453421/Damon-Weber/highlights">HUDL</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Dmweb5">Twitter</a> QB/LB, 5’9, 185 Weber is the definition of a playmaker as a punishing ball carrier, bruising tackler, and accurate passer. On the offensive side of the ball he can lead a receiver very well off of play action or a roll out and drop it right in the catch radius. It’s even more impressive, though, watching him rumble over tacklers and throw violent stiff arms. He is nearly impossible to take down at first contact and you will often see him drag defenders for a few extra yards. The style of offense he runs suits him well because opposing defenses have to be so concerned with the threat of him pounding the rock. Weber looks very at home on defense at linebacker. He can read a key as well as anyone and fly downhill into a gap. His tackles are just as savage as his carries. Weber shows flashes of elite athleticism when closing in on a tackle or breaking to defend a pass. [player_tooltip player_id="23971" first="Lane" last="Spieker"], CAM, <a href="https://twitter.com/LaneSpieker">HUDL</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/LaneSpieker">Twitter</a> RB/Returner/DB, 5’9, 180 As good of a utility weapon there is at the high school level, Spieker can go off for a big play from anywhere on the field at any time. As a kick returner Spieker sees the field as well as possible letting his blocks set up and hits his lanes without hesitation; once he accelerates into the open field there is no catching him. Spieker is a shutdown defensive back and can fill a gap or fly into the alley and destroy a play before it can unfold. Spieker, though, is a beast with the ball in his hands on offense and he can line up anywhere: running back, quarterback, slot, you name it. It is evident that the offense is based around finding as many ways to get him the ball and rightfully so. He has very active feet, especially on contact, and explosive hips that help him change direction and run right through the arms of tacklers. The game seems to slow down when he has the ball and makes all the right moves. Beau Flander, English Valleys, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/8489525/Beau-Flander">HUDL</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/FlanderBeau">Twitter</a> RB, 6’0, 185 Flander is a big, thundering, and physical back with breakaway speed. Flander is very patient in the backfield and does a good job of allowing space to open up whereas most high school backs panic and try to bounce it outside. When he hits that space he does so with a rapid burst and low center of gravity. Flander is hard to catch; if he gets into the open field on a designed outside run or by capitalizing on his patient style between the tackles he is more often than not going to take it to the house. He is equally impressive, though, in confined space and can make a lot out of a little. Flander will do whatever it takes to pick up extra yards: lower the shoulder, spin, stiff arm, dive, hurdle, etc. There is a wide array of ability on display when you watch him tote the rock. Flander brings many dimensions to the position and could do so at a high level against the best of competition. Jacob Moel, BGM, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11806797/Jacob-Moel/highlights">HUDL</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/JacobMoel">Twitter</a> WR/DB, 6’1, 160 Moel isn’t a burner, but is as crisp of a route runner as you’ll see at the high school level. Those concise routes often create separation against man coverage and he is very good at finding holes in zones. Moel is strong and sure handed, but his greatest asset is his ability to leap. On film, Moel looks like he can go up and jump straight out of the stadium. He takes advantage of a lot of jump balls and makes impressive catches when contested with defensive backs hanging on him. If the offense is in need of a big play, they are going to Moel and there isn’t much a defense can do about it. He comes up with a lot of really difficult catches and often makes his quarterback right when passes aren’t on target. Moel is also one heck of a defensive back who flies down into the box and makes a lot of tackles. He is opportunistic, forcing fumbles and intercepting passes.