Iowa's 2021 4A District 2 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. Decorah Joseph Bockman, WR, C/O 2022, 5’10, 183, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12222569/Joe-Bockman/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/bockman_joe">Twitter</a> Bockman is a fearless Slot Receiver who does an impressive job of running routes and making catches in high traffic, underneath zones. He uses superior agility and footwork to create space between himself and defenders to get open. Bockman’s field awareness and vision help him know where to attack within routes to maximize gains. Keenan Tyler, LB, C/O 2022, 6’1, 197, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13329306/5f98defabee19517e8c74951">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/keenan_tyler3">Twitter</a> Tyler is so skilled at defeating blocks coming downhill between the tackles and flowing out of the box on stretch runs. He has top notch instincts and athletic ability that are a major asset in getting to the ball down after down. Tyler wins with outstanding hands, feet, and leverage; he is one of the better tacklers in the state. Marion Alex Mota, ATH, C/O 2023, 6’2, 175, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EQE55">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/_AlexMota23">Twitter</a> Mota is as dynamic of a two-way player you will find on Friday nights this fall in Iowa. As a Quarterback he has a very strong arm, can make throws on any route, and is electric on the ground. Mota is an absolute ballhawk in the defensive backfield; he plays with a ton of range in coverage and brings the wood on tackles. Abe Duval, DL, C/O 2022, 5’10, 210, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EhbR4">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/AbrahamDuval">Twitter</a> Duval does a very nice job of using his hands to separate through opponents and reset the line of scrimmage. He takes up plenty of space on the inside gaps playing square and flat as he works to get off blocks. Duval is laterally quick and has impressive closing speed for his size, which makes life really hard on ball carriers. Seth Gatrelle, OL, C/O 2022, 6’1, 265, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EfcnS">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/SGatrelle">Twitter</a> Gatrelle does such an impressive job of staying balanced as he gets out of his stance, striking with great mechanics, and driving opponents away from the ball. He is equally effective against even and odd fronts. Gatrelle is very good at keeping a pocket clean and gets in his sets with excellent posture that stonewalls pass rushers. Mason City Kale Hobart, QB, C/O 2023, 6’1, 160, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12862689/Kale-Hobart/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/KH0bart">Twitter</a> Hobart is a talented passer and someone who is capable of giving an opposing defense a lot to think about. He looks great taking snaps under center and throwing from the pocket or on the run; he delivers the ball on a trajectory that matches the route. Hobart can put nice touch on his passes or let it rip with good arm strength. [player_tooltip player_id="99158" first="Carter" last="Thomas"] Gorder, OL, C/O 2022, 6’4, 290, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EWde8">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/carter_gorder">Twitter</a> Gorder moves out of his stance with plenty of velocity and is on his opponents, moving them with ease, before they know it. He is technical in the way he attacks and finishes, which makes it hard for the best defensive linemen to win. Gorder neutralizes pass rushers with elite sets that showcase patience, power, and knowledge. Branson Peters, LB, C/O 2022, 6’0, 190, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2F6CV5">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/bransonpeters6">Twitter</a> Peters can play inside flying downhill just as effectively as he plays outside screaming off the edge. He is very twitchy and has noticeably impressive acceleration and closing speed. Peters’ block destruction is also first-rate and that, paired with explosive movements, makes for a playmaker who can attack anywhere on the field. Waterloo East [player_tooltip player_id="104100" first="Justin" last="Thomas"], QB, C/O 2023, 5’9, 175, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2ERYae">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinBT15">Twitter</a> Thomas has a really big arm and can put a ton of air under the ball downfield or a lot of zip on the ball underneath. He has the ability, using noticeably good throwing mechanics, to place the ball accurately hitting teammates in stride. Thomas can already make all the throws and has a very high ceiling as he continues to develop. [player_tooltip player_id="23958" first="Kjuan" last="Owens"], RB, C/O 2022, 6’0, 240, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2ERt02">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/kjuanowens3">Twitter</a> Owens is a big, powerful, thunderous ball carrier who can run right through tacklers and push piles. He cuts and pivots incredibly well for his size and is a lot more than a downhill, straight line back. Owens has the burst and acceleration to build a head of steam quickly and is so difficult to get to the ground at that point. [player_tooltip player_id="104115" first="Shakur" last="Wright"], RB/ED, C/O 2023, 6’3, 200, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13216525/5f964fbebed692103c25744c">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Shakur__23">Twitter</a> Wright is a lightning quick, shifty ball carrier who provides an effective change of pace for his offense. He has excellent contact balance and vision that help him get to and beyond the second level. Wright plays on both sides of the ball and expertly uses his length at Defensive End to keep blockers at bay and make plays. Joseph Spates, DE/QB, C/O 2022, 6’1, 215, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2ESXDM">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/josephspatesjr">Twitter</a> Spates is a big part of East’s ground attack on reads and designed runs; he also has the arm to keep a defense honest. He is a wrecking ball of a Defensive End who is explosive and thumps opponents when taking on blocks or tackling. Spates is a versatile playmaker who has the capacity to contribute anywhere he is needed. Waverly-Shell Rock Layne McDonald, TE, C/O 2022, 6’3, 215, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2F1P4r">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/LayneMcD40">Twitter</a> McDonald is a big time asset as an extra blocker, especially in his team’s run heavy offense. He has powerful, technical blocking skills and uses his quickness to combo, climb, and veer causing major problems for defenders. McDonald is a weapon in the passing game, too, and runs excellent routes over the middle of the field. Asa Newsom, RB, C/O 2023, 6’4, 205, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Ef0rc">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/asa_newsom">Twitter</a> Newsom has explosive knee drive, long strides, and an angry running style that make him a bane for opposing defenses. He shows plenty of patience behind pulling linemen and power running schemes. Newsom is fast and elusive in the open field; he is hard to square up and he has plenty of shimmy and shake at top speed. Kaden Bibler, LB, C/O 2022, 5’10, 170, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11350913/Kaden-Bibler/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/BiblerKaden">Twitter</a> Bibler is a stud in the middle of the field for his defense and wins downs with decisiveness, violence, and leverage. He does an impressive job of eluding blockers with fast hands and low pads to track and get to the ball. Bibler is a highly effective blitzer and regularly stuffs running lanes or applies extra pressure on the Quarterback. Western Dubuque Spencer Zinn, RB, C/O 2022, 6’0, 195, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11760790/Spencer-Zinn/highlights">hudl</a> Zinn is speed and power wrapped up in one; he has an impressive ability to react with the right moves to extend plays as defenders are closing in. He has a competitive style of play and there is a lot of determination evident in the way he carries the ball. Zinn demonstrates that he is nimble, agile, and explosive on a regular basis.