Iowa’s 2021 3A District 6 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.
ADM
Vince Benetti Vince Benetti 6'4" | 210 lbs | TE ADM | 2023 State IA , TE, C/O 2023, 6’4, 210, hudl, Twitter
Benetti commands a lot of attention over the middle of the field with his size and pass catching abilities. He moves throughout formations to create mismatches that his team can take advantage of; he is exceptionally fast and nimble. Benetti earns his receptions by blocking like a monster both in space and at the line of scrimmage.
Gabe Heitz, LB/FB, C/O 2022, 5’11, 185, hudl, Twitter
Heitz is so quick to diagnose and get home; he is an expert at tracking the ball in the box and gets plenty of depth in his zone when he drops. He is a very reliable Linebacker who is always around the ball. Heitz is also a talented lead blocker and out of the backfield receiver who punishes defenders with or without the ball.
Brevin Doll Brevin Doll 6'0" | 200 lbs | RB ADM | 2024 State IA , RB, C/O 2024, 6’0, 170, hudl, Twitter
Doll looked anything but his age during Freshman year and turned heads with advanced athleticism and ball carrying skills. He is ultra slippery and difficult to track, showing mature patience between the tackles. Doll has a ton of burst when space presents itself and cuts on a dime at full speed making open field tackles nearly impossible.
Matt Dufoe, WR, C/O 2022, 6’4, 205, hudl, Twitter
Dufoe is strong in his routes; he is more physical off the line than his opponents, does not get redirected, and can haul in anything through contact. He knows how to attack different coverages vertically to achieve the same outcome: huge plays. Dufoe has plenty of value in the screen game, especially after he’s burned opponents deep.
Lucas Ray Lucas Ray 5'10" | 155 lbs | WR ADM | 2022 IA , WR, C/O 2022, 5’10, 155, hudl, Twitter
Ray is a big time playmaker and has the skill set to hit from anywhere on the field. He is liable to take it to the house, or at the very least flip the field, returning kicks, running vertical routes, working underneath from the slot, going in motion to take handoffs, or getting to improvise off of a bubble. Ray is so elusive and has dangerous speed.
Atlantic
Garrett McLaren, QB, C/O 2022, 5’9, 150, hudl, Twitter
McLaren is quite talented throwing on the run; his footwork on roll or sprint out is outstanding in matching his pass protection and maximizing his throwing mechanics. He doesn’t need to set his feet the way he squares up his targets and gets a ton of torque into the ball. McLaren can sling it and has a lot of faith in his very strong arm.
Creston
Derek Paup, DE/TE, C/O 2022, 6’2, 220, hudl, Twitter
Paup is a relentless edge defender who gets to the ball by any means necessary; he shows plenty of discipline and skill at the same time. His block recognition, block destruction, and pass rush moves are top notch and executed timely and maturely for his age. Paup is also a dominant blocker and fearless route runner at Tight End.
Briley Hayes, RB/LB, C/O 2022, 5’10, 170, hudl, Twitter
Hayes is a very talented inside gap blitzer who knows how to attack a shoulder, get flat, and redirect to the ball. He is also impressive when reading keys and defeating blocks while taking the right path to his gap. Hayes is in line to take more snaps at Running Back this year and brings an angry, punishing style of carrying the ball to his offense.
Harlan
Will McLaughlin Will McLaughlin 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB Harlan | 2022 State IA , LB, C/O 2022, 6’3, 220, hudl, Twitter
McLaughlin is elite in every sense of the Linebacker position; from the snap to getting to the ball and being disruptive, he is an absolute force. He wins his matchups right now with sheer physical dominance, but technique evident on film will transition nicely to college. McLaughlin has a deep understanding of the game and is textbook in his execution.
Connor Frame Connor Frame 6'2" | 190 lbs | WR Harlan | 2022 State IA , WR, C/O 2022, 6’2, 190, hudl, Twitter
Frame has blistering speed and a foundation of knowledge that make him virtually unguardable. He is fast through his routes and clearly knows how to adjust on the fly to beat the coverage he reads; his footwork is technical, precise, and under control. Frame is highly likely to make the play even when coverage is tight and a defense is keying on him.
Aidan Hall Aidan Hall 6'1" | 195 lbs | WR Harlan | 2023 State IA , WR, C/O 2023, 6’2, 200, hudl, Twitter
Hall has a big frame and catch radius that is complimented exceptionally well by his ability to leap through and hang in the air. He is a big bodied receiver who showcases impressive body control throughout his routes that maximizes his natural speed. Hall makes his Quarterback right by adjusting to the ball and overpowering defenders.
Knoxville
Noah Keefer Noah Keefer 6'3" | 170 lbs | QB Knoxville | 2024 IA , QB, C/O 2024, 6’1, 150, hudl, Twitter
Keefer is incredibly mature in his approach to the game, his understanding of offense, and his athletic ability; he is certainly a top name in his class. He has the physical tools and his development as a Quarterback is accelerated. Keefer can sling it and there is no doubt that he will continue to pick apart secondaries in the coming years.
Saydel
Trevor Lause Trevor Lause 6'5" | 210 lbs | DL Saydel | 2022 IA , DE, C/O 2022, 6’5, 210, hudl, Twitter
Lause’s greatest asset is his length and he knows how to use it really well given the expectations of a Defensive End. His long arms keep blockers separated against the run and his long legs get him through his rush lane quickly against the pass. Lause can really see his stock rise if he can be even more physical and explosive at the point of attack.
Judd Roberts Judd Roberts 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB Saydel | 2022 IA , QB, C/O 2022, 6’3, 195, hudl, Twitter
Roberts is a strong armed, mobile Quarterback who sees the field really well and is so skilled at sensing and escaping pressure. His ability to maneuver and buy time with his legs while keeping his eyes downfield really impresses. Roberts throws very accurate vertical routes and, when protection allows, throws really excellent timing patterns.
Austin Chally, WR, C/O 2022, 5’10, 160, hudl, Twitter
Chally exhibits the kind of toughness desired in a Slot; he is fearless and physical when blocking, running routes in traffic, and creating after the catch. He really shines once he has the ball in his hands and can make defenders miss with shifty cuts. Chally isn’t just a threat underneath, he runs impressive corner, dig, and deep out routes.