Iowa’s 2021 5A District 6 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. Ankeny Centennial [player_tooltip player_id="100879" first="Trey" last="Porter"], DB/RB, C/O 2022, 6'2, 190, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EiR9a">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/TreyPorter24">Twitter</a> Porter is quite versatile; he can dominate in zones as a one or two high safety or, if a team has a true number one, play man and negate the threat. He can play jam, bump and run, or catch and makes it exceedingly difficult for opponents to get open or even get in their routes. Porter is a ballhawk over the top and supports the run. [player_tooltip player_id="99342" first="Peyton" last="Goode"], QB/ATH, C/O 2022, 6'0, 190, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EY9SD">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Peyton_G4">Twitter</a> Goode does an impressive job of throwing to spots and is unafraid to let it rip with a true gunslinger mentality. He understands where routes will break and keeps defenders from making plays. Goode is also a playmaker at Wide Receiver and is especially talented after the catch; he stands to become a true dual threat. [player_tooltip player_id="105167" first="Zach" last="English"], LB, C/O 2023, 6'1, 180, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EjMhX">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/ZachEnglish7">Twitter</a> English is so effective in between the tackles filling and blitzing inside gaps. He does an outstanding job of trusting his keys, shedding blocks, and keeping his feet active to get him to the ball. English plays with a superior motor and compliments high-end talent with unparalleled effort; he is fast, physical, and relentless. [player_tooltip player_id="100893" first="Carter" last="Cahill"], ATH, C/O 2022, 5'8, 175, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EZFUH">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Cahill23Carter">Twitter</a> Cahill never seems to come off the field and for good reason; he excels in all of his roles as a ball carrier, route runner, kick returner, tackler, and pass defender. He is a superior athlete who is explosive and plays within his frame no matter what he is doing. Cahill really impresses as a ball carrier with great burst and contact balance. Isaiah Stearns, WR, C/O 2022, 6'2, 185, , <a href="https://twitter.com/IsaiahStearns1">Twitter</a> Stearns runs incredible routes from the Slot or as a single Receiver to the boundary; he creates a lot of separation and thrives in high traffic areas. He has very fast, agile feet that carry him through changes of direction and in and out of breaks with ease. Stearns is very shifty with the ball in his hands and is dangerous after the catch. [player_tooltip player_id="105141" first="Brody" last="Targgart"], DE/LB, C/O 2023, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2ERPFP">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/brody_targgart">Twitter</a> Targgart is a very disciplined edge defender who does an outstanding job of reading and reacting at the snap. He gets hands on and feels pressure, not only to wreck a blocking scheme, but to diagnose and determine what technique should be used to defeat the play. Targgart has established an elite ceiling for himself Des Moines East (*Transferred to Des Moines Lincoln) Trent Brown, QB, C/O 2022, 5'11, 155, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EYL4b">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/TrentJr10">Twitter</a> Brown is a dynamic playmaker at Quarterback and is a true dual-threat. He can drop back and deliver accurate balls, especially on crossing routes and timing patterns, and is very elusive on the ground and hard to track. Brown's skill set lends well to a number of positions on both sides of the ball and will thrive wherever he lines up. Sioux City East Ethan Snieder, TE/DE, C/O 2022, 6'4, 215, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EUVpv">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/EthanSnieder">Twitter</a> Snieder is a big receiving threat in those high traffic, middle of the field areas and is just as good of a blocker. He does an impressive job of getting open in zones and using his size to snatch the ball out of the air before opponents arrive. Snieder is a technical and aggressive blocker in the trenches and against second level defenders. [player_tooltip player_id="23964" first="Luke" last="Longval"], QB, C/O 2022, 6'2, 190, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EUrbe">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/LukeLongval">Twitter</a> Longval keeps the chains moving through the air with a strong arm and a great understanding of coverage. He is a good decision maker who keeps his eyes downfield and can get the ball out quick to make sure there are no wasted downs. Longval has great touch downfield and is always on the same page with his Receivers. Taejon Jones, RB, C/O 2022, 5'11, 170, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EfuJL">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/jones_taejon">Twitter</a> Jones showcases really impressive field vision and patience as plays develop and outstanding burst and breakaway speed once he hits the line of scrimmage. He needs to be bottled up in the backfield or will make a defense pay if they give him any space. Jones has shown he can run angry and is a lot more than just a speed back. [player_tooltip player_id="105144" first="Nick" last="Wells"], DL, C/O 2023, 6'3, 220, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EUN7v">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/nick_wells07">Twitter</a> Wells is explosive off the ball and can own inside gaps; he gets uncovered to occupy space and presses opponents back to reset the line of scrimmage. His strikes and hand placement destroys blocking schemes before the offensive line can get going. Wells has a rare mix of size and agility that keep him busy in the backfield. Sioux City West Drew Benson, RB, C/O 2022, 5'10, 185, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2ERN3f">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/_drewbenson_">Twitter</a> Benson has an impressive burst that helps him beat defenders into his running lane and pick up a head of steam to the second level. He does a nice job of cutting back and out leveraging tacklers to evade and get to the open field. Benson's downhill running style and contact balance make life very difficult on his opponents. Keavian Hayes, ATH, C/O 2023, 6'0, 200, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14840494/Keavian-Hayes/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/keavian">Twitter</a> Hayes displays elite athletic and playmaking ability with speed to stretch the field and explosiveness to leap and come down with jump balls. He is a reliable target who can run underneath patterns into traffic and catches passes without fear of contact. Hayes gets the ball in different, creative ways and makes the most of it. Lamarion Mothershead, WR/TE, C/O 2023, 6'3, 175, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2ERKDF">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/LamarionMother1">Twitter</a> Mothershead is a really big target in the passing game who has the length and catch radius to go up and over opponents for receptions. He has the athletic ability to run routes at any level of the field and get open. Mothershead is also an impressive blocker in space or in the trenches at Tight End, which helps open up the playbook quite a bit. Tyrell Lafferty, DE, C/O 2023, 6'3, 200, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2ERGbV">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/LaffertyTyrell">Twitter</a> Lafferty does a noticeably good job of using his length to separate from blockers within his first few steps out of his stance. He squeezes the edge down, takes up space, and is quick to disengage. Lafferty has the size, fundamentals, and footwork to shut down the run to his side of the ball and bring a lot of pressure to the Quarterback. Urbandale [player_tooltip player_id="23992" first="Graham" last="Friedrichsen"], WR, C/O 2022, 6'2, 180, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EWe0G">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Graham_Fried">Twitter</a> Friedrichsen is one of the better Receivers in the state at making contested catches and going up for a jump ball. He is aggressive in his route running and attacks opponents, which gets defenders out of position and creates separation. Friedrichsen shows superior strength when hauling in passes and dynamic run after the catch ability. [player_tooltip player_id="104750" first="Kai" last="Black"], WR/TE, C/O 2023, 6'4, 205, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EWfgp">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Kai_Black23">Twitter</a> Black is the standard of what the Tight End in this day and age needs to be; someone who can block successfully in the box or space and someone who can line up anywhere and run routes like a Receiver. He runs an array of routes with precision and excellent footwork. Black can tally the catches and needs to be accounted for in the red zone. [player_tooltip player_id="104099" first="Peyton" last="Rottinghaus"], QB, C/O 2023, 6'0, 180, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EXsyZ">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/PeytonRottingh2">Twitter</a> Rottinghaus can make all the throws; it is impressive to see how his mechanics match the route he is throwing and where he is releasing the ball from. He shows a lot of maturity and poise operating an offense and doesn't let a defense influence him. Rottinghaus can extend plays with his feet and thrives on the ground by design or necessity. [player_tooltip player_id="23974" first="Jack" last="Wattier"], S, C/O 2022, 6'2, 190, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2ECzXJ">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/WattierJack">Twitter</a> Wattier is a disciplined, highly athletic Safety who does a great job of keeping everything in front of him. He impresses most in coverage when picking up opponents as they enter his zone and sticking with them to take the route away. Wattier is an exceptional open field tackler and can cover a lot of ground to get to the ball. [player_tooltip player_id="100892" first="Parker" last="Stewart"], CB, C/O 2022, 5'11, 170, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/10022154/Parker-Stewart/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/ParkerStewart_2">Twitter</a> Stewart is a tough, physical Corner who can do a lot more than just just cover, which he does a terrific job of. He defeats Wide Receivers who attempt to block him with ease and takes space away from an offense who is trying to run by compressing the edge. Stewart also times his breaks perfectly for big hits and plays on the ball. [player_tooltip player_id="105147" first="Kaden" last="Browning"], DL, C/O 2023, 6'0, 225, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/11617609/5fb47d16578e0203b0d95932">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/browning_kaden">Twitter</a> Browning is a force on the Defensive Line who plays with square shoulders, explosive hips, and impressive leverage. He works his gaps fast and violently through opponents getting a lot of pop and knockback into the backfield. Browning makes a lot of tackles for a lineman and impresses most when he locks out and sheds blockers. Waukee Northwest [player_tooltip player_id="100041" first="Benjamin" last="Reiland"], DE, C/O 2022, 6'4, 230, <a href="https://youtu.be/WFnf2VXSYpo">highlights</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/BenjaminReiland">Twitter</a> Reiland is a bigtime problem for opposing Offensive Linemen and it starts with an explosive first step. He shocks those who are trying to block him and, with great functional strength and fundamentals, is able to own his gap. Reiland is also one heck of an edge rusher and regularly beats setting tackles with a vicious bull-pull. [player_tooltip player_id="24008" first="Hayden" last="Huntley"], WR, C/O 2022, 6'0, 175, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EZtYM">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hayden_huntley">Twitter</a> Huntley is dangerous after the catch; he slips off or breaks contact with impressive movies or makes defenders miss altogether. He has excellent field awareness and body control that lends well to running routes near the sideline or in the boundary. Huntley's athletic abilities make him just as big of a factor on bubbles and screens. Tanner Spyksma, RB, C/O 2022, 6'2, 190, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10956665/5dc821535cb38e0d545e626a">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/SpyksmaTanner">Twitter</a> Spyksma is a multidimensional back who possesses the power to cause damage between the tackles and the speed separate from second level defenders. His contact balance is impressive; defenders bounce right off and he stays square moving downhill. Spyksma has top-notch field vision and is hard to track.