Iowa’s 2021 3A District 1 Preview: Player Spotlight Capsules
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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…
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Continue ReadingThe 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
Devionne West Jr Devionne West Jr 5'8" | 200 lbs | RB Bishop Heelan | 2023 State IA , RB, C/O 2023, 5’8, 200, hudl, Twitter
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.
Sir Brandon Watts Sir Brandon Watts 5'8" | 160 lbs | ATH Bishop Heelan | 2024 State IA , DB, C/O 2024, 5’8, 150, hudl, Twitter
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, hudl, Twitter
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.
Landyn Van Kekerix Landyn Van Kekerix 6'2" | 195 lbs | LB Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley | 2022 State IA , LB/WR, C/O 2022, 6’2, 195, hudl, Twitter
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, hudl, Twitter
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.
Caleb Kats, QB, C/O 2022, 6’0, 170, hudl, Twitter
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, hudl, Twitter
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, hudl, Twitter
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
Tyler Smith Tyler Smith 5'10" | 175 lbs | QB Sergeant Bluff-Luton | 2023 State IA , QB, C/O 2023, 5’10, 175, hudl, Twitter
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.
Jacob Imming Jacob Imming 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Sergeant Bluff-Luton | 2022 State IA , LB, C/O 2022, 6’2, 200, hudl, Twitter
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, hudl, Twitter
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, hudl, Twitter
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
Ethan Hooyer Ethan Hooyer 6'2" | 290 lbs | OL Sioux Center | 2022 IA , OL, C/O 2022, 6’2, 290, hudl, Twitter
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, hudl, Twitter
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.