Prep Redzone Iowa Showcase Standouts: QBs/ LBs/ RBs

This past weekend I was able to make it out to scout the Prep Redzone Iowa Showcase in Bettendorf, IA. It was an awesome time in a beautiful facility filled with a lot talent that will be able to play at the next level. To recap the event I am going to break it down into three articles where I will highlight the standouts from each position. Today, I am going to focus on the top QBs, LBs, and RBs from the event! I will list the player, grad year, who they play for, and how they caught my eye. We have a very talented group today with members of the 2022, 2023, and 2024 recruiting classes. Let’s get it started! <strong>Colin Buch, 2022 QB- Benton Community</strong> Colin had a great day. He really burst onto the scene once we finished the testing portion of the Showcase and started tossing the ball around. The 6’1" 188 lbs junior QB showed off one of the best arms of the event from start to finish. He had the coaches and scouts running the event buzzing as he zipped passes with accuracy and velocity to every level of the field. He definitely had one of the most naturally gifted arms. He made it look easy all day, and it was fun to watch as you could see his confidence and swag grow throughout the day as he continued to deliver impressive throws. Colin couldn’t have asked for a better overall performance. I will definitely be keeping track of how he plays this fall, and a lot of programs at the next level should as well. [embed]https://twitter.com/MJ_NFLDraft/status/1388609068416208897[/embed] <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="24030" first="Jamison" last="Patton"], 2023 QB- Roosevelt</strong> Jamison was one of the best athletes overall at the Showcase; not just for his position. He actually caught my attention from across the field when I noticed a kid running a noticeably faster 40 than the other QBs in his group. That athleticism continued to shine throughout the rest of the testing portion and into the 1 on 1 battles. During those battles the 6’2" 190 lbs sophomore didn’t just throw the ball. He also played some receiver with success. Don’t let all that steal away from what he did as a QB though. There is a good chance that Jamison had the strongest arm at the event. When he went downfield the ball never hung in the air, and their wasn’t a lot of air underneath the ball either. Instead, he was able to fire it down the field and hit tight windows before the DBs could slam the door shut. Great day by Jamison, and a kid that will be a popular name in recruiting in the next year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="31415" first="Tak" last="Tateoka"], 2023 QB- Waukesha South</strong> I have been lucky enough to see Tak at a couple of our Showcases, and he has never ceased to impress me. He measured in at a little over 6’2" and has been adding good weight to his frame this offseason. Tateoka definitely stood out during the throwing portion of the Showcase. He has such a live arm and it looks easy for him to attack any spot on the field. He is very smooth in his footwork and his throwing motion. Those smooth movements lead to consistent accuracy to every level of the field, and a beautiful spiral every time. He got a raw deal this past fall when he was only able to play two games due to Covid, but once he gets a full season under his belt this fall I believe his recruitment will skyrocket. [embed]https://twitter.com/OliverJamesWes1/status/1388583541324255237[/embed] <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="118822" first="Trenton" last="Smith"], 2024 QB- Ames</strong> The potential is through the roof based off what I saw from Trenton on Saturday. The freshman QB already looks like a senior with his 6’2" 205 frame. He also has a lot of the physical tools you look for in a QB. He has a quick lower half, and transitions that quickness into velocity through his throwing motion. His arm talent was in the conversation for best overall. He can get the ball out quickly and accurately too. The part of his game that is most exciting for me is that he is more raw compared to the older kids at the Showcase, so as he develops and sharpens his technique there is no cap to how talented he could become. This is definitely a young athlete to keep your eyes on over the next 3 years. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="98651" first="Jai" last="Jensen"], 2022 QB- Clinton</strong> Jai was another QB that caught my eyes on Saturday. The 6’2" 205 lbs junior has a live arm and delivered some of the best looking throws of the day. Jai was another one of the QBs in the group that had the coaches and scouts buzzing as he was throwing darts with every attempt. The combination of arm strength and accuracy was one of the best of the event and made him one of the top performers from the whole event. I highly recommend checking out his junior film. You will see that not only does he have the arm talent, but he is also a physical runner. Definitely a name to know. <strong>Randy Tice, 2022 LB- Brookfield Central</strong> Randy won’t be for everybody as he checks in at 5’8" 175 lbs and plays the LB position, but as far as his performance at the Iowa Showcase I was impressed. The best part of his performance was in the testing portion. Randy was one of the best athletes at the event when it came to change of direction. His ability to be going full speed, stop, and get to top speed the complete opposite direction was unmatched. He proved to be a quick twitch athlete with some very good hip fluidity and quickness. He definitely earned a shout out as a top performer. He was one of a handful of Wisconsin kids that represented the state well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="105169" first="Josh" last="Hendricks"], 2023 LB- Dallas Center Grimes</strong> Josh had an impressive showing on Saturday. He posted a solid 4.88 40 yard dash at 6’ 205 lbs, and he moved well in the L Drill and 5-10-5 Shuttle. He also looked comfortable in coverage battles where his loose hips and ability to turn and run was able to be shown off outside of the drills. Hendricks is a young prospect that is going to start catching eyes this fall if he continues to fill out and develop his well rounded game. He is a kid that I went to check out the film on after the event and it matches what I saw. A kid that can get after the passer just as well as he can drop into coverage. Keep up to date with Josh this fall. <strong>Jalyn Mingo, 2023 LB- Dubuque Senior</strong> Jalyn came in listed as an LB, but during the event he actually worked out with the DL group, but I’ll include him here with the other standout LBs. The young fella is filled out at 5’11" 230 lbs with quick hands that he flashed during 1 on 1 battles on multiple reps. Of all the defenders in the 1 on 1 battles against the OL I would say Mingo had the most consistently successful reps. He won with those quick hands along with good initial burst out of his stance and the lateral agility to clear the lineman after he made his move with his hands. I’ll be interested in following his high school career to see how he continues to grow and develop. [embed]https://twitter.com/JalynMingo/status/1388600975888457730[/embed] <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="147978" first="Darnell" last="Butler"], 2022 RB- North Scott</strong> Darnell was electric. The 5’7" 160 lbs RB posted the fifth fastest 40 yard dash of all the Spring Showcases we have put on over the past few months. He also looked solid in the two change of direction tests. In the 1 on 1 battles he was one of the toughest players to stick with in coverage. He was so shifty, explosive, and has the overall play speed to consistently get open. At the catch point he did a good job of going and getting the ball, giving him a larger catch radius than his frame would initial suggest. From start to finish, Darnell was awesome to watch. [embed]https://twitter.com/Lemmingscouting/status/1389608407028715521[/embed]