Prep Redzone Iowa 2024 Watchlist Drop: Skill Positions

Prep Redzone Iowa’s class of 2024 watchlist just dropped and the future is looking very bright. Many of the young men on the list made significant contributions to their Varsity programs. Others dominated the competition at their own age and showed off ability that will undoubtedly transfer to Friday nights come August. Either way, their skills and attributes are sure to catch a lot of eyes this season as they build on their high school careers. [player_tooltip player_id="118822" first="Trenton" last="Smith"], Quarterback, Ankeny Centennial, 6’2, 205, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EWN09">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/trentonsmith_11">Twitter</a> It is hard to believe that Smith is only headed into his Sophomore campaign. The physical maturity and ability is off the charts; Smith’s coordination, athleticism, and body control is evidence of just how high his ceiling is. Smith maneuvers and senses pressure really well in the pocket. He can certainly hang in there and throw darts. What impresses most, though, are his throwing mechanics on the run and from compromised positions. [player_tooltip player_id="156451" first="Noah" last="Keefer"], Quarterback, Knoxville, 6’1, 150, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2ERbK2">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/NoahKeefer3">Twitter</a> Keefer is so calm and poised when dropping back, scanning the field, and reading coverage. For a young gunslinger to be cool and collected with pressure mounting is not common and very impressive. He has the frame and length to see downfield as routes develop and the decision-making ability to compliment his physical tools. Keefer, justifiably, has a pass first approach, but has the legs to gash a defense if all else fails. [player_tooltip player_id="156453" first="Preston" last="Ries"], Quarterback, Monticello, 6’0, 196, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Eu2wP">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/PrestonRies21">Twitter</a> Ries really impresses as a Linebacker and has the athletic ability to play any skill position on the field, but he is going to shine as a Quarterback in the coming years. Ries is a true dual-threat; he is electric on the ground and has a cannon for an arm. Ries’ arm strength will only be more visible as his mechanics develop. By design or by chance, Ries is dangerous on the ground. His movements are explosive and he can change direction suddenly. [player_tooltip player_id="156461" first="Cam" last="Buffington"], Running Back, Winfield-Mt Union, 6’3, 200, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11757541/Cam-Buffington/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/CamBuffington">Twitter</a> Buffington does it all out of the backfield; opposing defenses should be terrified to face him for another three seasons. Having earned his first offer to the University of Iowa really solidifies just how talented he is. Buffington has burst and patience that is fitting of the play called. He can erupt through gaps and punish defenders or patiently allow blocks to develop and cut into space. High end sprint mechanics and body control are always on display. [player_tooltip player_id="156484" first="Brevin" last="Doll"], Running Back, ADM, 5’9, 160, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Eu6Ai">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/BrevinDoll">Twitter</a> Doll has very impressive field awareness and vision that compliment mature abilities as a speed back exceptionally well. He is hard to track between the tackles and hard to target in space. He gets lost in traffic with precise downhill movement and angles have to be perfect off-tackle or his breakaway speed will win every time. Doll achieves top speed rapidly and maintains that speed through dime cuts. His stock is sure to rise headed into year two. [player_tooltip player_id="156486" first="Tate" last="Lyon"], Running Back, Pleasant Valley, 5’10, 180, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EBCTM">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Tatelyon24">Twitter</a> Lyon has such a fearless, punishing style of running that is sure to carry over to the varsity field. With a low center of gravity and top notch knee drive he barrels right through defenders. His moves are subtle and he absorbs contact while fighting forward for hard earned yards. Lyon does some serious damage between the tackles, but is not limited to downhill play calls. He shows a nice burst of speed on plays like toss and speed option. [player_tooltip player_id="156485" first="Zeb" last="Hinze"], Running Back, Southeast Polk, 5’10, 175, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EQATh">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/HinzeZeb">Twitter</a> All Hinze seems to need is a little bit of daylight to make big things happen; he has sharp instincts for a young ball carrier and knows what to do with the rock. Hinze runs with a lot of power and determination. If defenders get just a piece of him it’s not enough and even when they square him up Hinze can lower the boom to earn tough yards. This skill set should translate nicely to the Varsity field and set Hinze up for a lot of success. [player_tooltip player_id="156577" first="Dayton" last="Harrell"], Wide Receiver, Sioux City North, 5’8, 135, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13545596/Dayton-Harrell/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/daytonharrell28">Twitter</a> Harrell possesses electrifying speed and, when his number is called and that speed is harnessed, he is so dangerous. These abilities should carry over in a multitude of ways on Friday nights. Whatever it is, catching passes, taking handoffs, returning kicks, Harrell is sure to light it up. Harrell’s game speed is that much faster than the next guy’s. He will be downright scary as he deepens his understanding of route running and scheme. [player_tooltip player_id="156506" first="Brady" last="McDonald"], Tight End, Independence, 6’3, 210, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EYLN7">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/BradyMcDonald_1">Twitter</a> McDonald looks like a full grown man lining up at Tight End. The head start he has to channel that physical ability into football specific technique is an enormous advantage. McDonald is fearless in his route running and often makes catches through and into contact; it doesn’t seem to phase him. He runs over, around, through, and away from defenders after the catch and showcases an array of athleticism. McDonald is primed to make a lot of noise. [player_tooltip player_id="132270" first="Keaton" last="Roskop"], Tight End, Linn-Mar, 6’2, 195, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14760047/600fa53a4df5c2083080cbe2">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/KeatonRoskop">Twitter</a> Roskop is a big bodied Tight End who has filled out and grown into his frame to look and move like a veteran. He is explosive into both routes and blocks making life exceedingly difficult on defenders. He brings a lot of force to and through contact when blocking; Roskop checks many boxes off on the job description of a Tight End. As a pass catcher he runs excellent routes over the middle, vertical or underneath, and is deceptively fast at top speed. [player_tooltip player_id="156631" first="Caleb" last="Moore"], Linebacker, Lewis Central, 6’0, 180, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EZFSY">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/calebmoore_15">Twitter</a> Moore is a natural fit at Linebacker; he is a deadly combination of physicality and instinct. Moore shows zero hesitation in defeating blocks of massive Offensive Linemen and smacking big, fast ball carriers on tackles. His technique is on point from the snap to tracking the ball, or dropping into coverage, and finishing plays. To be able to execute at such a high level, against top competition, will surely help Moore emerge as a top talent in the state. [player_tooltip player_id="156640" first="Ian" last="Blowe"], Linebacker, Akron Westfield, 5’10, 200, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14883875/5f904e77478d560b2c5c7ab8">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/BloweIan">Twitter</a> Blowe is a gifted downhill Linebacker who sees space, takes it, and destroys anything in his gap. Blowe greets ball carriers with a thud that immediately halts forward momentum and brings them straight to the ground; his collisions impress. Simply put, he is a hammer on contact. Blowe shows a capacity to flow off-tackle and turn on the jets to operate sideline to sideline. He brings a throwback, punch you in the mouth, presence to the field. [player_tooltip player_id="156648" first="Jack" last="Terpstra"], Defensive Back, Akron-Westfield, 5’10, 155, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14793324/Jack-Terpstra/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/terpstra_jack">Twitter</a> Terpstra shows a lot of versatility from his position and excels in areas, like run support, where most young Defensive Backs typically struggle. The way he can tighten and compress alignment to provide an extra hat near the line is impressive. Terpstra, when in coverage, can run with routes in man and break really well on targets from zones. He is a very reliable defender with a strong foundation of play that will no doubt continue to improve.