Iowa's 2021 3A District 1 Preview: Player Spotlight Capsules

The 3A class is sure to bring plenty of action and excitement this fall. Between the traditional rivalries and exciting new matchups there are sure to be a lot of big moments. Learn about some of the top returning prospects in the player capsules below as Prep Redzone highlights each district leading up to the season. Regardless of classification Iowa has some of the best talent you will find taking the field on Friday nights and 3A is looking loaded. Bishop Heelan [player_tooltip player_id="152685" first="Devionne" last="West Jr"], RB, C/O 2023, 5’8, 200, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EWwHM">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/DevionneJr">Twitter</a> West is patient and explosive toting the rock; his body control is always showcased and he carries a ton of burst downhill or through changes of direction. He is right there at the top of the Running Back rankings for many reasons. West’s contact balance is likely his greatest attribute as he absorbs defenders and pushes forward. [player_tooltip player_id="156649" first="Sir" last="Brandon Watts"], DB, C/O 2024, 5’8, 150, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2ER8pz">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Watts_Brandon22">Twitter</a> Watts looks like a future star at Corner and he put a lot on display as just a Freshman. His team didn’t hide him down in the slot; they let him patrol deep and play man. Watts clearly earned the trust of his coaches early, which is no surprise as his athletic skill set is evidence of someone who could be playing in reverse at a high level one day. Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley Cade Fisher, LB/RB, C/O 2022, 6’1, 210, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2FMYgm">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/CadeFisher11">Twitter</a> Fisher’s block destruction, from the box or outside, is among the best in the state and he is so fast to the ball. He shows no hesitation whatsoever in letting his keys take him to the ball and he makes his presence known once he gets there with punishing hits. Fisher is just as aggressive on offense and is a load to try and take to the ground. [player_tooltip player_id="148854" first="Landyn" last="Van Kekerix"], LB/WR, C/O 2022, 6’2, 195, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Enr8q">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/VanLandyn">Twitter</a> Van Kekerix shows so much ability on film; he makes it hard to categorize him because it’s all executed at a high level, so we’ll just call him a playmaker. Whatever he is doing, on either side of the ball, is dynamic. Van Kekerix is the kind of player you can move around week to week based on game plan or necessity and trust that he will excel. Brock Fisher, DE/OLB, C/O 2023, 6’0, 205, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Eu9Dz">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/brock_fisher">Twitter</a> Fisher is disruptive at and behind the line of scrimmage. He is twitchy and disciplined regardless of his alignment and his ability to put his hand down, play stand up end, or line up as a true Outside Linebacker is an asset. Fisher explodes through his technique out of his stance and is too quick for Linemen and too physical for smaller blockers to handle. [player_tooltip player_id="100934" first="Caleb" last="Kats"], QB, C/O 2022, 6’0, 170, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EhErB">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/kats_caleb">Twitter</a> Kats is without a doubt one of the more elusive Quarterbacks in the state and seeing him throw on the run or under pressure is really impressive. He gets a lot of torque on his passes when he can’t set his feet to make tough throws look just as clean as more manageable ones. Kats certainly threatens defenses with his legs and has the ability to create. Carroll Caden Kock, FB/DE, C/O 2022, 5’11, 200, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/8324541/Caden-Kock/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/caden_kock">Twitter</a> Kock is a tough as nails, throwback ball player who lines up at Fullback and Defensive End. He brings the thunder as a ball carrier and lead blocker out of the I Formation; he fights through the whistle. Kock is just as gritty and resolute on defense as he defeats blocks of much larger linemen to hold his ground and make plays regularly. MOC-Floyd Valley Gavin Huss, LB, C/O 2022, 5’9, 170, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/10172816/Gavin-Huss/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/gavinhuss34">Twitter</a> Huss really impresses in between the tackles, especially for his stature, and plays a lot bigger than he actually is. He is very efficient downhill, over the top, and sideline to sideline. Huss is an excellent tackler with great instincts who likely projects as a Strong Safety at the next level, but looks great for now patrolling the box with heels at five. Sergeant Bluff-Luton [player_tooltip player_id="104079" first="Tyler" last="Smith"], QB, C/O 2023, 5’10, 175, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13123864/5f9ed3da3449120ba8702e66">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/TylerSm1010">Twitter</a> Smith is a marksman behind the line of scrimmage who has the arm strength, precision, and position specific mechanics to throw any route. His accuracy underneath is exceptional and among the best in the state. Smith is a terrific fit in the modern spread as he utilizes elite quickness and field vision to make big plays on the ground. [player_tooltip player_id="23950" first="Jacob" last="Imming"], LB, C/O 2022, 6’2, 200, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11419909/5f9f61acbd6a510b902150c4">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/ImmingJacob">Twitter</a> Imming may very well boast the best combination of speed, power, instincts, and intellect at the Linebacker position in Iowa this fall. His ability to diagnose and close on a play, destroying whoever gets in his way, is second to none. Imming hits like a wrecking ball and his abilities are clearly overwhelming for opponents at the high school level. Tyler Schenkelberg, WR, C/O 2022, 5’9, 160, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EY2AY">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/TylerSchenkelb1">Twitter</a> Schenkelberg has outstanding feet and dominates opponents in routes that have any kind of break or change of direction. He might run the best curl pattern in Iowa and clearly knows how to create separation between himself and defenders. Schenkelberg has plenty of ability after the catch and will be one heck of a Y at the next level. Jason Dickson, LB, C/O 2022, 5’10, 200, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Eespi">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/JdDickson">Twitter</a> Dickson makes a living in his opponent’s backfield and uses outstanding hands and a square relationship to the line of scrimmage to make it happen. He gets a ton of squeeze and knock back by fighting right into his opponents pressure and disengages with ease. Dickson shows plenty of bend and mobility in his pass rush, too. Sioux Center [player_tooltip player_id="148447" first="Ethan" last="Hooyer"], OL, C/O 2022, 6’2, 290, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11319866/60251351bed6f50ff4775d1f">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/EthanHooyer">Twitter</a> Hooyer overwhelms his opponents at the line of scrimmage with a lot of force and speed for someone his size. His ability to attack laterally, digging out and overtaking, is a sign of a high level interior Offensive Lineman. Hooyer understands angles and aiming points; he could win with physicality alone, but his mechanics take him to the next level. Zachery Rozeboom, QB, C/O 2022, 6'1, 195, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EgLgk">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/ZacheryR12">Twitter</a> Rozeboom has a big arm, breakaway speed, and is an especially good fit in the offensive system he leads. He has a really quick sidearm release that puts a lot of zip on his passes; he is also a fearless ball carrier that will run you right over. Rozeboom plays on the other side of the ball, too, at Middle Linebacker; he is quite gutsy in the way he attacks plays on defense.