Iowa's 2021 5A District 5 Preview: Player Spotlight Capsules

Districts are out and there is going to be some serious talent playing in each throughout the state of Iowa this fall. Learn about some of the top returning prospects in the player capsules below as Prep Redzone highlights each leading up to the season. From the trenches to the backfields, Iowa boasts some of the best talent around. Cedar Rapids Jefferson Carson Blietz, QB, C/O 2022, 6’0, 185, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EP5ST">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/BlietzCarson">Twitter</a> Blietz has a big arm and can take the top off of a defense throwing the deep ball or show off well-developed throwing mechanics on short to intermediate routes. There is lots of poise evident in the way he scans the field and looks comfortable in his offense. Blietz senses pressure and moves impressively in the pocket, he is hard to pressure. Dkhai Pope, DB/RB, C/O 2022, 5’9, 175, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EUGHh">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/DkhaiP">Twitter</a> Pope dominates at Defensive Back with elite athleticism: he is quick and patient in reverse, he leaps and breaks well to get to the ball, and his footwork keeps him glued to opponents. He has very good instincts and closing speed that make him a factor on many plays. Pope also impresses as a ball carrier and has explosive potential. Brayden Kindhart, ATH, C/O 2022, 5’11, 180, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11322568/Brayden-Kindhart/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/BraydenKindhart">Twitter</a> Kindhart is a big time weapon making plays all over the field for his team at Wide Receiver, Running Back, Outside Linebacker, and Safety. He is very twitchy and plays on each side of the ball with electric speed. Kindhart has plenty of range on defense and, whether it is catching passes or taking handoffs, is so dynamic on offense. [player_tooltip player_id="100891" first="Lonny" last="Melvin"] Jr, WR, C/O 2022, 6’0, 175, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EUVnT">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/lonny_melvin">Twitter</a> Melvin shows a ton of burst in straight lines or through changes of direction that help him get behind coverage or open within zones. He has soft hands and adjusts well to the ball when thrown to always make his Quarterback right. Melvin is a reliable target who has plenty of juice to threaten defenders and turn any play into a home run. Linn-Mar [player_tooltip player_id="98656" first="McKade" last="Jelinek"], QB, C/O 2022, 6’1, 205, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Edsbe">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/MckadeJelinek">Twitter</a> Jelinek makes life really tough on a defense as a high-end passer and someone who can threaten with their legs by design or opportunity. If there isn’t a throw to be made he will win on the ground, but if there is he will let it rip. Jelinek makes good reads out of the mesh and when he keeps the ball is tough to tackle in the open field. [player_tooltip player_id="23960" first="Clayton" last="Muszynski"], S, C/O 2022, 5’10, 190, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EaRNJ">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/claytonmuszyns1">Twitter</a> Muszynski is a ballhawk and is all over the field defending the pass and providing first-class run support. He has sideline to sideline ability and fearlessly attacks downhill to the alley or inside gaps to shutdown the ground game. Muszynski, in coverage, is very versatile and excels in a deep zone or walking up to man Slots and Tight Ends. Mac Watts, LB, C/O 2022, 6’0, 215, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EePjX">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Macwatts1">Twitter</a> Watts is a beast between the tackles and is as physical of a downhill presence you will find filling gaps at the high school level. He does an excellent job of shocking and shedding blockers while tracking the ball. Watts assumes the role of a bully on defense and earns a lot of tackles through his violent and relentless effort. [player_tooltip player_id="100044" first="Luke" last="Gaffney"], DE, C/O 2022, 6’3, 240, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EUjnx">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/lgaffney6070">Twitter</a> Gaffney loads up and launches out of his stance with impressive fundamentals to consistently place hands and attack his gap. He is very violent and disciplined as a run defender and is often the cause of wrecked blocking schemes. Gaffney is also a mature, well-developed pass rusher who uses an array of moves to cause big pressure. Ottumwa Tanner Schark, DB/QB, C/O 2023, 5’10, 155, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13434205/Tanner-Schark/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/schark_tanner">Twitter</a> Schark is an opportunistic Defensive Back who can stick with opponents in coverage and make well-timed plays on the ball. He has the speed to keep everything in front of him and the ball skills to win battles against Receivers. Schark is an impressive athlete who has taken Quarterback reps and is in line for the starting job. Austin Fountain, LB, C/O 2022, 6’1, 175, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11464247/Austin-Fountain/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/AustinFountai15">Twitter</a> Fountain covers a lot of ground from the Outside Linebacker position and gets to plays that most aren’t fast enough to get to. Even when he isn’t necessarily in position to get to the ball he has the acceleration and closing speed to redirect or recover and get home. Fountain can also really bring it off the edge with a strong speed rush. Prairie [player_tooltip player_id="98655" first="Dionte" last="Fliss"], QB, C/O 2022, 6’1, 190, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EQr0X">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/FlissDionte">Twitter</a> Fliss has the athletic skill set, through the air and on the ground, that the vast majority of other Quarterbacks just don’t have. He is dangerous on every single down and all the ways he can beat a defense opens up the playbook. Fliss is an explosive athlete who has impressive awareness and creates with the ball in his hands. [player_tooltip player_id="23945" first="Gabe" last="Burkle"], TE, C/O 2022, 6’7, 240, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EWqCq">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/GabeBurkle">Twitter</a> Burkle’s athletic ability, at his size, is highly uncommon and nearly impossible to defend. Not only can he go up and snag balls where only he can get them with his huge frame and reach, but he runs really crisp and technical routes. Burkle is also a very aggressive blocker in the trenches and in space; he checks all the Tight End boxes. Elijah Ward, WR, C/O 2022, 6’2, 170, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11350690/Elijah-Ward/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Eli_Ward33">Twitter</a> Ward attacks coverage with top-notch speed and if he gets his opponent out of position it is nearly impossible to recover. He makes highlight reel catches look routine and if the ball is thrown in his vicinity he is more than likely going to get it. Ward can accelerate so rapidly and looks to be playing in another gear on fast-forward. Jake Walter, ATH, C/O 2022, 5’10, 170, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2ESKuC">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Jakewalt05">Twitter</a> Walter is an impressive route runner with a high football IQ who seems to play with a great understanding of zones and how to get open in different route concepts. He takes advantage of the space he creates and picks up big gains after the catch. Walter is also a strong blocker and a factor on the ground when lining up at a Wing. Brandon Vlcko, QB/ATH, C/O 2022, 6’2, 200, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2FHzXF">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/BrandonVlcko">Twitter</a> Vlcko has a strong arm and provides his offense with a nice change of pace at the Quarterback position out of heavier formations with a lot of motion and play-action. He has a quick release and can zip the ball right into the hands of his target off of fakes. Vlcko is also a hard-nosed ball carrier who is shifty downhill and is hard to tackle. Southeast Polk [player_tooltip player_id="23947" first="Jaxon" last="Dailey"], QB, C/O 2022, 6’2, 205, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/10061822/5f6b802402b1e20b90d9f6a6">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/jaxon1538">Twitter</a> Dailey, no two ways about it, is a complete Quarterback who executes with exceptional poise and maturity. He can make all the throws, from the pocket or on the run, and keeps his eyes downfield even when pressure is closing in. Dailey is a gunslinger who has all the physical tools and regularly puts opposing defenses in a bind. [player_tooltip player_id="24023" first="Kadyn" last="Proctor"], T, C/O 2023, 6’8, 315, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10953120/5fd0329d9676b5078ccf80c8">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/KadynProctor1">Twitter</a> Proctor’s body of work speaks for itself; his physical attributes paired with his fundamentally exceptional in-game technique make him one of the top prospects around. He is a textbook example of position specific mechanics and how they apply to different types of blocks. Proctor can create all the space his offense needs to operate. [player_tooltip player_id="23983" first="Titus" last="Christiansen"], RB, C/O 2022, 5’10, 175, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10061828/5fc87ca19676580858697c20">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/TitusLC2">Twitter</a> Christiansen is a very patient runner who cuts off of blocks and bursts into space right by first and second level defenders with ease. He is a nimble, elusive ball carrier between the tackles who limits contact while finding daylight. Christiansen is an every down back who has the ability to take it to the house whenever he gets the ball. [player_tooltip player_id="23942" first="Xavier" last="Nwankpa"], S, C/O 2022, 6’3, 190, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/10061863/5fb93649f31e3811c8460cf1">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/xaviernwankpa01">Twitter</a> Nwankpa does so much from the Safety position at the highest level: he diagnoses and flies to the ball in run support, breaks on routes for big hits and plays on the ball, and can fit into any coverage and excel. He’s a factor on every down and can line up across schemes. Nwankpa’s speed and versatility adds an extra element to his defense. [player_tooltip player_id="101038" first="Andrew" last="Harris"], DL, C/O 2022, 6’3, 235, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EiFF4">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/andrew_harris90">Twitter</a> Harris has the size and athleticism to line up across the front and dominate with an explosive get off and clean technique. His block destruction takes a lot of space away from an offense and he disengages really well to the ball. Harris is an excellent inside gap pass rusher and knows how to open lanes with quick feet and violent hands. Cole Filloon, WR, C/O 2022, 6’2, 195, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EgTLs">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Cole_Filloon">Twitter</a> Filloon is skilled at threatening Defensive Backs as he is getting into routes and forcing them to make the first move. He regularly outleverages opponents and gets them to open up the wrong way right before he breaks or cuts. Filloon is a sure-handed target who maintains concentration through the catch even when there is contact. [player_tooltip player_id="100804" first="Andrew" last="Reed"], LB, C/O 2022, 5’11, 180, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10061878/5fb9d3c6d2250e0600e06a38">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/reed3410">Twitter</a> Reed has the kind of sideline to sideline, window fitting ability to defend the run you want out of a 4-3 or 4-2-5 Middle Linebacker. He diagnoses quickly and rallies to the ball beating blockers on the way with superior athleticism. Reed is a secure tackler, even in the open field, and also excels when dropping to take away underneath routes. Waterloo West [player_tooltip player_id="99160" first="Jeremiah" last="Feahn"], DB/WR, C/O 2022, 6’2, 181, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EHfZc">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/FeahnJeremiah">Twitter</a> Feahn has electric speed that he carries through all movement patterns on both sides of the ball. As a Wide Receiver he excels from the slot where he can win matchups and get high target volume. Feahn does an excellent job as a Defensive Back, too, and makes a lot of plays patrolling a deep portion of the field against the run and pass. Tyree Gardner, FS, C/O 2022, 6’2, 180, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EbySr">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/TyreeGardner5">Twitter</a> Gardner does an impressive job of keeping everything in front of him in two high looks to contest deep balls or break to make plays underneath. He shows a lot of prowess as an open field tackler, especially in the alley, to limit gains. Gardner has all the tangibles to make plays anywhere on the field and he excels in the Free Safety role.