Prep Redzone Iowa's Newcomers and Stock Risers

Beckett DeJean, QB, OABCIG, <a href="https://twitter.com/bdejean2313">Twitter</a> It did not take long at all for DeJean to pick up the torch and show he can carry it. He absolutely went off in week 1 for 480 total yards (373 through the air) and 4 total touchdowns in a win against Ridge View. He looked so comfortable rolling to each direction and giving his targets plenty of time to get open. His ball placement and trajectory was excellent. DeJean could easily take off and run every snap, but showed tremendous patience and poise by keeping his eyes downfield as he stepped up towards the line of scrimmage. He could already be the most dangerous player in 2A. Matt Dufoe, QB, ADM, <a href="https://twitter.com/DufoeMatt">Twitter</a> Dufoe looked so comfortable in the pocket and the mesh as he led his team to a week 1 victory over Gilbert. He was a model of efficiency completing 75% of his passes and averaging nearly 8 yards per carry. He accounted for over 200 total yards and that number will certainly go up in more competitive games. He has a ton of arm strength; on one of his three touchdown passes he was flushed from the pocket and threw off his back foot over 40 yards downfield with perfect torque and mechanics. On another he put perfect touch on a fade to the corner of the end zone where only his guy could get it. [player_tooltip player_id="148745" first="AJ" last="Ambundo"], RB, Maquoketa Valley, <a href="https://twitter.com/ambundo13">Twitter</a> Ambundo isn't a stranger to fans of IHSSA football, but until now it was primarily as a Wide Receiver and spelling the Running Back ahead of him for five to ten carries a game. Now, a senior, Ambundo is the workhorse and he couldn't have had a better first appearance in that role. Ambundo carried 32 times for 293 yards and 4 touchdowns against North Cedar. He also shut it down at Defensive Back, returned kicks, and was a human highlight reel. Whether it was up the gut on Power or off-tackle on Toss Ambundo could not be stopped. Expect more big time games; he is tough, fast, and shifty. Makelle Taylor, RB, Prairie, <a href="https://twitter.com/MakelleTaylor26">Twitter</a> Taylor stepped into a very talented Prairie offense as the lead back in a highly touted matchup against Pleasant Valley in his first Varsity game and looked like a veteran. The Hawks graduated all of their contributors from last year's backfield and needed someone to step up and carry the load. Taylor did exactly that by rushing the ball 25 times for 136 yards and 3 touchdowns. His steady play was a reason the Hawks were able to pull off a week 1 upset and he looks to be a big piece of the offense moving forward. Don't be surprised to see Taylor keep the spotlight and jump on a lot of recruiting boards. Jayden Siegert, WR, Dubuque-Hempstead, <a href="https://twitter.com/JaydenSiegert">Twitter</a> Siegert was a machine in week 1 and as reliable as can be hauling in 10 passes for 63 yards and a touchdown against a very tough Dubuque Senior defense. His touchdown was caught against really tight man coverage, through a pass interference call, as the X in a trips set. He ran a perfect fade and hauled it in with no room to spare in the corner of the end zone. His route running and focus was spot on all night. Siegert fearlessly caught slants and hitches over the course of the game through a lot of contact. He is very much on his way to being considered one of the top targets in the 2022 class. Drew Kingery, WR, Indianola, <a href="https://twitter.com/_drewkingery_">Twitter</a> Kingery shined in a big time win for the Indians over a very talented Ankeny Centennial team in week 1. He established chemistry early on and throughout the night with both Quarterbacks and served as a perfect complement to Indianola's dominantly established rushing attack. Kingery grabbed 6 catches for 99 yards and a touchdown. He was excellent in his first appearance on the varsity stage and at 6'4 with the ability to lose coverage and leap out of the stadium it won't take long before he is a household name. Indianola has a big weapon and a new dimension to their offense in Kingery. [player_tooltip player_id="148842" first="Blake" last="Bellamy"], LB, Winterset, <a href="https://twitter.com/BlakeBellamy31">Twitter</a> Bellamy is already known as a tackling machine for the Huskies and his stock certainly rose as he looked better than ever in a shutdown performance against Carlisle. Bellamy led the way with 8 tackles, 1 sack, and 3 TFL's; he led Winterset in tackles and TFL's last year as a junior. The way he read keys, defeated blocks, and got to the ball was very impressive and evidence that he should be considered among the best Linebackers in his class. Bellamy put an incredible first step and closing speed on display on his sack. His ability to strike and work into his gap was also shown several times when Carlisle tried to run outside. Jacob Brecht, S, Benton, <a href="https://twitter.com/Brecht21Jacob">Twitter</a> Brecht's stat line in a route of a week 1 game against Grinnell is almost unbelievable: 14 tackles (12 solo), 14 carries, 133 yards, and a touchdown. That kind of two-way productivity, sustained over the course of a game, is unheard of. The Bobcats have a special player who looks as good in space and the open field with the ball in his hands as anyone. The moves and speed he showcased on his 68 yard touchdown run on an Inside Zone play was jaw dropping. Brecht is a track star and the way his sprint mechanics apply to the football field impresses. Keep an eye on this stock riser who looks great in an expanded role. Izaiah Truitt, DL, Sioux City North, <a href="https://twitter.com/Imantruitt23">Twitter</a> Truitt was a monster in the trenches in a week 1 win over Sioux City South. He had several pancakes, 5 tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 TFL's. Truitt impressed as a Guard when pulling and down blocking. His ability to get to his target and clear out space was on full display. Truitt really shined, though, on defense. He got hands on, separated, and disengaged into gaps all night to get to the ball and shut down the run. Truitt also showed relentless effort in pursuit when the ball went away or when getting after the Quarterback. Expect Truitt's stock to skyrocket as what he already put on film shows major growth. [player_tooltip player_id="252329" first="Brody" last="Clubb"], DE, Clear Creek-Amana, <a href="https://twitter.com/BrodyClubb">Twitter</a> Clubb, a Freshman, went off in his high school football debut for the Clippers in a week 1 win in a tight, high-profile matchup with Marion. Clubb recorded a very impressive 5 tackles, 1 Sack, and 1 TFL. He also added a six yard touchdown grab that he pulled in with two defenders all over him. At a filled out 6'3 he looks anything but his age on film. The way Clubb recognized the pass set, knocked away hands, and got into a bend through a speed rush on his sack was very mature. Clear Creek-Amana appears to have a star in the making. His explosiveness, body control, and length already make him so dangerous.