Part II Iowa's Young Guns: C/O 2023 Watchlist

Being a standout athlete on Friday nights is never easy, especially as an underclassman. Take a look below at the Sophomores who dominated their 2020 campaigns looking just as mature and impressive as their upperclassman counterparts. These young guns are fearless, on the rise, and making big contributions to their teams. Zavion McMurran, Estherville Lincoln, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12641183/Zavion-McMurran/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/mcmurran9">Twitter</a> DE, 6’3, 215 McMurran plays with a physicality that is mature beyond his years. His strikes are violent out of his stance and he absolutely jolts offensive linemen. He shines when rushing the passer with well-developed bull rush and arm over moves, but he is a complete player that can own the B and C gap to his side of the field. McMurran disengages from blocks with ease and has a nose for the ball. He can devastate a backfield with a big hit for a TFL or chase a ball carrier down when action goes away. [player_tooltip player_id="104107" first="Jack" last="Menster"], Cascade, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13365917/5fa17e4e3448a80b4039330d">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/jmenster123">Twitter</a> RB, 5’10, 175 Menster is patient in the backfield; he allows the play to develop, blocks to set up, and then he is gone. Menster has remarkable straight line speed and when he hits space there is a good chance he is toting the rock for a huge gain, if not a touchdown. Menster is effective on inside gaps, or off tackle, and does a fantastic job of squaring his shoulders when ready to hit it to be a north-south ball carrier. He makes sharp, subtle cuts that occur very suddenly, which makes him difficult to tackle, especially in the open field. [player_tooltip player_id="104080" first="Dylan" last="Wiggins"], West Sioux, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10242806/5fc4175dbd6acd0a38e28d60">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Dylan__Wiggins">Twitter</a> QB, 6’2, 175 Wiggins is a marksman on downfield routes when in the pocket or on roll/sprint out. He knows when to leave air under the ball and throw to a spot or thread the needle and hit a receiver in stride. Wiggins looks fearless, calm, and collected as he scans the field and makes decisive throws. He has the ability to step up in the pocket or scramble to buy time and find an open target. Wiggins’ mechanics are on point as he consistently squares his shoulders to his target, steps into his throws, and has a quick release. Korver Hupke, Independence, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/2/2810/5fda8d207bd4890d902c56af">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/HupkeKorver">Twitter</a> OL/DL, 6’2, 230 Hupke can pull from the guard position to a target with precision and pummel defenders; he is just as effective at blowing up pullers when lining up on defense. On the offensive line he is a relentless blocker who creates a lot of space for ball carriers behind him to operate. On the defensive line he can totally wreck a blocking scheme with punishing strike mechanics that squeeze gaps down and reset the line of scrimmage. Hupke is very athletic, coordinated, and in control for his size at a young age. [player_tooltip player_id="104079" first="Tyler" last="Smith"], Sergeant Bluff-Luton, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13123864/5f9ed3da3449120ba8702e66">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/TylerSm1010">Twitter</a> QB, 5’10, 175 Smith is a big armed deep ball thrower, but his accuracy on underneath, timing, and crossing patterns dazzles on film. Smith sees the field well and can pick apart zone coverage with patience in the pocket that allows routes to develop. Smith is very impressive when it comes to making difficult throws when protection breaks down; he can make throws from unfavorable positions with defenders in his face, or on the run while eluding defenders, look routine. Smith is also a shifty runner and true dual threat. [player_tooltip player_id="24024" first="Max" last="Burt"], Newman Catholic, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13273491/5f89c3d1421006040466a47a">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/maxeburt">Twitter</a> QB, 6’0, 185 Burt is an Iowa baseball commit and is absolutely capable of playing football at the FBS level too. Burt is very versatile at quarterback and can command the triple option just as well as the spread for his team. He is accurate downfield and underneath and looks just as comfortable throwing off play-action when under center as he does out of the gun. Burt impresses most, though, when running the ball. He runs angry, breaks tackles left and right, and can turn what should be small gains into huge plays. [player_tooltip player_id="104098" first="Jaxon" last="Smolik"], Dowling Catholic, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12898680/5fd8082096760c0b6c3d4a5c">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/JaxonSmolik">Twitter</a> QB, 6’2, 185 Smolik is very smooth and fluid in his throwing mechanics; he has a natural, effortless release and can get the ball to anywhere on the field with the flick of his wrist. He reliably keeps his eyes down field working his progressions and appears to be unaffected by the pressure of a pass rush. Smolike can fit the ball into tight windows or throw to a spot. His technique and football IQ is advanced. Smolik has keen pocket awareness and can threaten a defense with his legs if the passing game breaks down. [player_tooltip player_id="105140" first="David" last="Borchers"], North Scott, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14477383/5fbf35425b3d55098c45838a">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/DavidBorchers3">Twitter</a> DL, 6’4, 250 Borchers causes absolute chaos at the line of scrimmage and destroys gaps. He knows how to use his large frame and reach to separate from blockers quickly and moves his feet through the point of attack to wreck backfields. Borchers’ functional strength is immediately clear on film as he throws blockers around like rag dolls and is immovable on double teams. He compliments his elite natural abilities with tremendous effort. Borchers appears to have a good understanding of mechanics and technique for a young age.