Iowa’s 2021 4A District 1 Preview: Player Spotlight Capsules

The new 4A class is stacked with perennial powerhouses and programs on the rise; all will be vying for the crown. Learn about some of the top returning prospects in the player capsules below as Prep Redzone highlights each district leading up to the season. From the trenches to the backfields, Iowa boasts some of the best talent around. Denison-Schleswig Jaxson Hildebrand, RB/LB, C/O 2023, 6’1, 195, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EVenm">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/J_Hilly7">Twitter</a> Hildebrand demonstrates so much toughness and balance on contact; it is very impressive. He is a downhill runner who senses when defenders are closing in and kicks it into another gear to deliver the blow. As a Linebacker he is ultra twitchy and has excellent instincts; he has a nose for the ball and gets there with reckless abandon. Matthew Weltz, WR, C/O 2022, 5’11, 155, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13173069/Matthew-Weltz/highlights">hudl</a> Weltz is a terrific underneath Receiver who uses impressive footwork to create separation quickly and is a threat to pick up big gains after the catch. He showcases top notch body control and focus as he makes catches and avoids contact. Weltz is not afraid to attack high traffic areas of the field and put it on the line. Fort Dodge Bradley Vodraska, WR, C/O 2022, 5’8, 165, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11429128/Bradley-Vodraska/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/BradleyVodraska">Twitter</a> Vodraska has an impressive ability to accelerate rapidly into routes and find weaknesses in zones. His sharp route running and knowledge of coverage earn him plenty of uncontested catches. Vodraska can get the job done in many ways, though, and lines up across formations and beats defenders when coverage is tight. Carson Peterson, QB, C/O 2022, 5’10, 160, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11427677/Carson-Peterson/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/carsonpeterso15">Twitter</a> Peterson puts such nice touch on his passes and can deliver accurate balls to any level of the field. He has high quality throwing mechanics that make difficult throws look effortless and does so from the pocket or compromised positions. Peterson drops it in right where it’s needed: in stride, out of a break, on the sideline, you name it. [player_tooltip player_id="104716" first="Javion" last="Jondle"], WR, C/O 2023, 6’2, 180, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EW5XC">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/javion_jondle">Twitter</a> Jondle can absolutely fly and pop the top right off a defense getting behind coverage on vertical routes. He adjusts his routes so well to the ball once it is in the air and can run under just about anything. Jondle is just as dangerous using that speed on crossing patterns and uses stellar field awareness to make and extend plays. Jon Presswood, RB, C/O 2022, 5’10, 190, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11410774/Jonathon-Presswood/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/jonnyboi101103">Twitter</a> Presswood has a skill set that lends well to his position and the aptness of his abilities makes him dangerous with the ball. He senses pressure and defenders expertly and makes timely moves to avoid and limit contact. Presswood operates so well in confined spaces, has plenty of shimmy, and lowers the shoulder to finish plays. [player_tooltip player_id="100803" first="Pry’Shayn" last="Mosley"], DE, C/O 2022, 6’0, 220, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13588993/PryShaun-Mosley/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/PryMosley">Twitter</a> Mosley consistently reacts correctly to what is unfolding in front of him evidenced by the way he gets hands on, separates, and takes up space in gaps. He stunts and exchanges well to collapse blocking and apply pressure. Mosley, against the run and pass, keeps the play in front of him and earns plenty by being disciplined. [player_tooltip player_id="100889" first="Jake" last="Erickson"], SS, C/O 2022, 6’0, 190, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EgSe3">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/JakeErickson_21">Twitter</a> Erickson shows a tremendous amount of range in his abilities: he can play in coverage over the top, roll down to man someone up, play in the box as an extra hat, and make open field tackles. He is an explosive athlete who can cover a lot of ground. Erickson executes all jobs at a high level and gives opposing offenses fits. LeMars Elijah Dougherty, RB, C/O 2023, 5’11, 175, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2F9cG3">hudl</a> Dougherty has impressive stop-start and cutting ability near the line of scrimmage, excellent contact balance to the second level, and timely burst into daylight. He has the wherewithal to run between the tackles and the speed to get the edge. Dougherty is a versatile back who fits into a variety of running schemes nicely. Tyler Iverson, QB, C/O 2022, 5’10, 180, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2F0hvH">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Tyler_Iverson9">Twitter</a> Iverson is a tough, determined player and that shows on both sides of the ball as a Quarterback and Defensive Back. On offense he has a strong arm and is accurate, especially underneath and over the middle of the field. Iverson is a dangerous, fearless ball carrier and gives opposing defenses a lot to have to account for. [player_tooltip player_id="99932" first="Brandon" last="Vander Sluis"], T, C/O 2022, 6’3, 280, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EX9YQ">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/BrandonSluis">Twitter</a> Vander Sluis is a tenacious Offensive Linemen who regularly puts opponents in the turf with excellent technique and velocity. He has high-end quickness for his size and gets to his opponents with violent, jarring hands. Vander Sluis is a well-rounded run blocker and is just as good at securing the edge in pass sets. Spencer Cadence Hofmeyer, LB, C/O 2023, 5’10, 190, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EuJr2">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/CadenceHofmeyer">Twitter</a> Hofmeyer is a monster in the middle of his defense; he is so active at the snap diagnosing the play and tracking the ball. He reads quickly and erupts towards the ball with the ability to defeat any blocker in his path. Hofmeyer is an all-around terrific Linebacker, but really shines at finishing plays with violent, physical tackles. Storm Lake [player_tooltip player_id="24010" first="Martin" last="Saldana"], G, C/O 2022, 6’1, 245, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10810129/5fec4d1bff02381028d8fbc0">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Martin20543298">Twitter</a> Saldana plays Offensive Line with a high level of nastiness and aggression. He is explosive and quick out of his stance, takes good angles to his assignment, and locks on violently with sound mechanics. Saldana drives and buries his opponents; he steers opponents away from the ball and stays active through the whistle. Webster City CJ Hisler, RB, C/O 2023, 5’11, 190, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Ei7dD">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/CjHisler">Twitter</a> Hisler is an ideal fit taking handoffs from the Wing against defenses with a loaded box; he has the moves to create between the tackles and the speed to beat defenders to the edge. He cuts so well off of blocks and is tough to track. Hisler often creates daylight for himself by being lightning quick and elusive in the open field. Jamin Stuhr, DE, C/O 2022, 6’3, 210, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EgxZB">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/StuhrJamin">Twitter</a> Stuhr is as explosive as they come out of his stance; he attacks direct pressure fast and violently and runs plays down with the closing speed of a Linebacker. His reactions are instantaneous. Stuhr’s pass rush is mature beyond his years; his speed first approach gets Tackles out of their technique and he knows how to take advantage.