Part III 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. [player_tooltip player_id="24023" first="Kadyn" last="Proctor"], Southeast Polk, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EkmWw">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/KadynProctor1">Twitter</a> OT, 6’7, 285 Proctor is the most mechanically sound offensive lineman in the state. The leverage and posture he establishes in his stance is near perfect and the velocity he builds as he starts moving is extreme. Proctor recruits a tremendous amount of power from the ground up as he engages on run blocks. His base and down blocks are punishing and the lateral movement of his scoop and reach blocks is exceptionally fast. Proctor’s drive-catch, angles, and body control on pass sets is mature beyond his years. Jaxon Bunkers, St. Mary’s, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12437925/Jaxon-Bunkers/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Jaxonbunkers13">Twitter</a> QB, 6’1, 195 Bunkers is a big-armed, accurate quarterback who compliments his natural throwing abilities with developed mechanics. He looks comfortable setting up and throwing from the pocket and throwing from difficult positions when he has to extend a play with his feet. Bunkers is a true dual threat who does a fine job of showing patience and letting his blocks set up. He is more than capable of turning the burners on and hitting space for big gains. Bunkers seems in control of his offense and commands the field. [player_tooltip player_id="105139" first="Andrew" last="DePaepe"], Pleasant Valley, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14838126/6003bbc65b476d03f00c6673">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/AndrewDepaepe2">Twitter</a> DE, 6’6, 230 Depaepe is an advanced pass rusher who does an impressive job of reading where an offensive lineman is in their set as he creates an immediate threat. He also does an excellent job of bending off of speed, hands, or a counter to make sure he wins his matchup. Depaepe is a talented, multi-dimensional edge defender and shows that he knows how to use his length to squeeze gaps and take up a lot of space at the line of scrimmage. He uses good leverage to stay clean and disengage to make plays. [player_tooltip player_id="104089" first="Dallas" last="Sauser"], Grinnell, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EaMAA">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/sauser_dallas">Twitter</a> QB, 6’1, 145 Sauser is an ideal spread/RPO quarterback as he does an impressive job of identifying pre-snap keys and making accurate reads. He has a very quick release and gets the ball out of his hands fast if need be. Sauser can throw it deep and does well giving his receivers catchable balls that match their routes. Sauser has heightened awareness of pressure in the pocket and can get the ball out to a checkdown or secondary option. He also makes impressive throws when on the run or scrambling. [player_tooltip player_id="105152" first="Rusty" last="VanWetzinga"], Pleasant Valley, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Edc1B">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/rusty_j_van">Twitter</a> LB, 6’1, 210 VanWetzinga impresses in both pass and run defense. In coverage, he collisions any receiver that enters his zone and keeps his feet active so he can react quickly to the ball. He takes away the hook/curl on a regular basis and always pursues after the throw. He also has the speed to run with backs and slot receivers in man coverage. Against the run VanWetzinga flies into gaps, has violent hands to take on blocks, and absolutely pummels ball carriers with textbook tackles. He is also a very polished blitzer. [player_tooltip player_id="105153" first="Kayden" last="VanBerkum"], Central Lyon, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Eh5qy">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Canberkumkayden">Twitter</a> LB, 6’2, 220 VanBerkum is a terror from the Sam or 3-4 outside linebacker position. He is a big, physical backer who can play at the line of scrimmage and set a hard edge or make his presence known filling an inside gap. VanBerkum has very violent hands and gets off of blocks quickly. He is a terrific blitzer and edge rusher; he beats offensive linemen with superior speed and athleticism. VanBerkum plays with a motor; he makes a lot of tackles pursuing from the backside and running outside carries down playside. [player_tooltip player_id="104113" first="Jonathan" last="Humpal"], Lewis Central, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/13744372/5f49eb984797f6085cc7fec4">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/JonathanHumpal1">Twitter</a> WR/RB, 6’0, 165 Humpal is great at eluding defenders once he has the ball in his hands. He is a threat to take it all the way any time his number is called in the backfield, on a bubble or short route, or down field. Humpal is lightning quick and accelerates to full speed rapidly. He is a patient runner who allows time for his blocks to set up and then is gone. He is especially dangerous on the sideline; he can run it like a tightrope or cut back to the open field. Humpal’s body control through changes of direction without sacrificing speed is elite. [player_tooltip player_id="104114" first="Nolan" last="DeLong"], Durant, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EX83A">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/NolanDelong">Twitter</a> RB, 6’1, 190 DeLong is a powerful, bruising runner who is difficult to tackle and picks up a lot of hard earned yards after contact. He keeps his hips square and low to the ground as he drives through contact with long strides and shifty lateral cuts. DeLong is a powerhouse between the tackles. Outside the tackles he has vision and patience to let a play develop and get north-south at the right time. In the open field he can juke and change direction to make defenders miss. He also has sure hands and really is the complete package.