Iowa's 2021 4A District 3 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. Burlington Nolan Simpson, LB/FB, C/O 2023, 6’1, 205, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12807949/5fc57af62aa6590b7c354f9d">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/NolanSimpson15">Twitter</a> Simpson is a one man wrecking crew on both sides of the ball and absolutely destroys opponents on blocks and tackles. He is a gifted athlete who can block and tackle well in space and closed quarters. Simpson plays disciplined assignment football and overwhelms at the point of attack with superior violence and physicality. Clinton [player_tooltip player_id="98651" first="Jai" last="Jensen"], QB, C/O 2022, 6’3, 210, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2ES83e">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/JaiJensen2">Twitter</a> Jensen is a highly mobile dual-threat quarterback who is a tough, elusive runner and keeps a defense honest with more than proficient passing ability. He is especially dangerous on play-action and sprint out as his ability to run pulls defenders out of position. Jensen can throw dimes and run defenders over. Nathan Beeler, LB, C/O 2022, 5’6, 175, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/13351155/5f90628e478d560b2c5c88fc">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/natebeeler_">Twitter</a> Beeler looks like he was shot out of a cannon coming downhill from Inside Linebacker; he is so twitchy and his reactions are timely. He does an impressive job of beating blocks from space and in tight quarters when blitzing. Beeler plays so much bigger than he is and makes plays all over the field with a top notch motor. Fort Madison [player_tooltip player_id="130715" first="Tate" last="Johnson"], DB/WR, C/O 2022, 5’10, 175, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/11205411/5fbd9496a018da03b0ed3f54">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/TateJohnson_13">Twitter</a> Johnson is a big hitting ballhawk of a Safety on defense and a touchdown machine on offense. He plays with incredible instincts and tracks the ball as quickly as possible with great range and closing speed. Johnson has impressive vision and burst after the catch and can turn any play into a home run; he blocks really well too. Tanner Settles, LB, C/O 2023, 5’10, 160, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15527840/Tanner-Settles/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/TannerSettles3">Twitter</a> Settles is a very impressive, high energy Outside Linebacker who reads and reacts quickly to make plays. He can take on direct pressure and disrupt the flow of blocks, squeeze down and bend flat to pressure backside, and cover the flat. Settles is an aggressive defender who finishes plays with secure, swift tackles. Iowa City Liberty James McKinney, WR, C/O 2022, 6’1, 192, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/11503363/5f9b5c5a90f98c08a4f43443">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesMcKinney_">Twitter</a> McKinney has elite speed and athleticism that he uses to make plays all over offensive formations: catching passes, taking handoffs, and taking direct snaps. He has the speed and moves to separate from defenders and get to space. McKinney needs to be accounted for at all times, but will make plays regardless of a defense's plan. Tye Hughes, QB, C/O 2023, 6’1, 175, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EVB2w">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/TyeDhughes">Twitter</a> Hughes puts really nice touch on his passes and delivers catchable balls to each level of the field. He makes very good decisions in the mesh and, when he keeps the ball, has the legs to beat a defense for big gains. Hughes does an impressive job of keeping his eyes downfield at all times to read coverage and find open targets. Darius Willis-Newell, RB, C/O 2022, 5’9, 182, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EVa5q">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/_DariusNewell">Twitter</a> Willis-Newell has the burst and speed to cause a lot of damage behind zone blocking. He is a patient runner who can accelerate rapidly when lanes or cutbacks open up and has impressive contact balance to get to and beyond the second level of a defense. Willis-Newell can make the first man miss and is off to the races. Mount Pleasant Isaiah Albright, RB, C/O 2022, 5’9, 150, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11789451/Isaiah-Albright/highlights">hudl</a> Albright has good instincts and knows when to get north-south in his carries and attack lanes that the Offensive Line creates. He has good knee drive and contact balance that will help him thrive between the tackles and in short yardage situations. Albright is also a physical lead blocker who can dig defenders out to open up space. North Scott [player_tooltip player_id="105140" first="David" last="Borchers"], DL, C/O 2023, 6’3, 260, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EhADf">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/DavidBorchers3">Twitter</a> Borchers eats up inside gaps, gets plenty of knockback, and reduces the size of backfields down after down. He has mature stance and step mechanics that get a lot of power into his hands when he strikes opponents. Borchers disengages quickly to the ball and brings a lot of pressure to the pocket on passing downs. Jakob Nelson, WR, C/O 2022, 6’3, 190, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2F2FMA">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/JakobNelson7">Twitter</a> Nelson is a prototypical “X” Wide Receiver who can stretch the field, has a huge catch radius, and can leap or dive to make athletic catches. He takes long strides to get behind coverage and is an impressive downfield blocker. Nelson is a tough runner and has strong hands; he has plenty of value underneath and at the sticks. Payton Kruse, RB/OLB, C/O 2022, 5’11, 180, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EDjJZ">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/kruse_payton">Twitter</a> Kruse brings a ton of pressure off the edge and can take angles to run ball carriers down flat or beat a setting Tackle on his way to the Quarterback. He is also an impressive ball carrier with a versatile skill set. Kruse is explosive on both sides of the ball; he takes away the C gap on defense and pounds the rock on offense. [player_tooltip player_id="140393" first="Darnell" last="Butler"], RB, C/O 2022, 5’7, 162, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EfwR1">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/darnellb03">Twitter</a> Butler runs with excellent balance and a low center of gravity that help him cut on a dime and burst right by defenders. He absorbs contact while staying low and square to fight for extra yards. Butler is lightning quick in a straight line and through changes of direction; he has a ton of value out of the backfield and on screens. Adam Allen, DL, C/O 2022, 6’2, 245, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11316638/5ff5334a5b46ac10800f7719">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/adamallen55">Twitter</a> Allen is easily one of the state’s most impressive pass rushers and he can get the job done off the edge or on inside gaps. He knows how to adjust his stance to be more explosive, cover more ground, and have the upper hand on opponents. Allen locks out on run blocks, peeks to find the ball, and disengages to make plays rapidly.