Iowa's 2021 3A District 5 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. Fairfield [player_tooltip player_id="104754" first="Max" last="Weaton"], TE, C/O 2023, 6’6, 205, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13221980/Max-Weaton/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/MaxwellWeaton">Twitter</a> Weaton is a matchup nightmare from any alignment and has a rare skill set that he uses to exploit his opponents. He can line up as a traditional Y and burn Linebackers, line up in the slot and overpower Safeties, or split all the way out and tower over corners for jump balls. Weaton is also a skilled blocker who can reach or overtake Defensive Ends. Grinnell [player_tooltip player_id="104089" first="Dallas" last="Sauser"], QB, C/O 2023, 6’1, 145, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EaMAA">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/sauser_dallas">Twitter</a> Sauser’s ability to identify what a defense is doing and make instantaneous decisions make him a great fit in a read heavy scheme. He has the arm strength to stretch the field, but really impresses when he can let it rip and gets the ball out quick to expose weaknesses in coverage. Sauser does a nice job of hitting checkdowns and not forcing throws. Keokuk [player_tooltip player_id="23959" first="Trace" last="Hackaday"], OL, C/O 2022, 6’5, 260, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EUqms">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/TraceH2117">Twitter</a> Hackaday’s on field mechanics are outstanding and are a terrific compliment to his size and athleticism. His first step is so rapid and has so much velocity; he is locked onto and driving his opponent before they know what happened. Hackaday is highly effective on the ground and in pass protection with an arsenal of blocks and technique. [player_tooltip player_id="152871" first="Aiden" last="Derr"], DE, C/O 2023, 6’3, 215, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12339282/Aiden-Derr/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/AidenDerr1">Twitter</a> Derr has such an impressive foundation of play when defending the run and has all the raw ability of someone who can become a premier pass rusher. His get off, length, speed, and bend are very present and an indication of how rapidly he can develop as a Quarterback hunter. Derr is already tough as nails in his gap and disengages to the ball often. Solon [player_tooltip player_id="104084" first="Blake" last="Timmons"], QB, C/O 2023, 5’10, 175, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Ed0yB">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Blake_Timmons23">Twitter</a> Timmons is a dynamic and explosive dual threat who knows how to scare a defense with his legs to create opportunities in the passing game. He pulls defenders up any time he gets in a mesh or shows play-fake and then fires it downfield. Timmons is an impressive ball carrier who has top notch field vision and the moves to get to daylight. Hayden Taylor, RB, C/O 2022, 5’8, 185, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11620097/Hayden-Taylor/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/haydenttaylor">Twitter</a> Taylor is a physical, hard-nosed ball carrier who is going to burst into his lane and take the fight to a defense. He gets north-south in a hurry, makes it difficult for tacklers to square him up, and has shifty lateral cuts as he picks up yards. Taylor is an angry runner who has the ability to make something out of nothing when blocking isn’t necessarily there. Cayden Knipper, DL, C/O 2022, 6’3, 215, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Ej9FH">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/CaydenKnipper">Twitter</a> Knipper’s ability to react and recognize blocks as he gets his first step in the ground leads to a lot of plays. He knows how to transition to pass rush or work opposite pressure to defeat a run block as well as anyone. Knipper is very disciplined and relies on consistent technique to execute his job at a high level on the edge or inside gaps. Washington Lucas Kroll, LB, C/O 2022, 6’1, 185, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11053695/Lucas-Kroll/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Lucaskroll5">Twitter</a> Kroll showcases sideline to sideline range and impressive block destruction from his Sam Linebacker position. He does a great job of staying square to the field and then matching angles with ball carriers to get home fast. Kroll uses superior athleticism to beat Offensive Linemen in space and overpowers Receivers who try to stalk him. West Burlington [player_tooltip player_id="152622" first="Hayden" last="Vandenberg"], QB, C/O 2023, 6’0, 220, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EvVik">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/HaydenVan44">Twitter</a> Vandenberg is a big, mobile Quarterback who can sling it from the pocket to any level of the field with really nice touch and trajectory. He is patient and shows a high propensity for finding open targets. Vandenberg hangs in there in the face of pressure to get the ball away and shows just how tough he is taking dominant snaps at Linebacker. [player_tooltip player_id="104110" first="Travain" last="Donaldson"], RB, C/O 2023, 5’9, 170, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Emksr">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Donalds1Travain">Twitter</a> Donaldson has a rare ability to find any space a defense gives, take it, and let his athletic skill set kick in to turn it into something big. He is patient, physical, and slippery, which makes him an ideal fit to run behind zone blocking. Donaldson is exceedingly hard to track in close quarters and nearly impossible to square up in the open field.