Prep Redzone Iowa's Newcomers and Stock Risers

Players emerge and make leaps on a weekly basis. Learn about some of Iowa’s new names and players whose stock is rising . Ten noteworthy week 5 performances are broken down that earned these athletes some well-deserved recognition. Get to know them now. Blake Hauck, QB, Waukee, <a href="https://twitter.com/BlakeHauck07">Twitter</a> Waukee only scored 16 points through four weeks, but that all changed in week 5 when Hauck carried the team to a 31 point Friday night upset over Johnston. Hauck was 12/17 for 131 yards and a touchdown; he added another 87 yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground. The 2023 got the ball out quick and threw darts right on the money into tight coverage. Hauck was a model of efficiency through the air. One of his touchdowns, a GT Counter, was a perfect mesh that got the entire defense to bite on the Running Back; he pulled it and scooted into the end zone. Christian Kautz, Bettendorf, QB, <a href="https://twitter.com/ChristianKautz">Twitter</a> The Bettendorf offense had been looking for a spark; they for sure found it in week 5 with a record setting performance from Quarterback Christian Kautz. He set the mark for passing yards and touchdowns in a single game by going 15/26 for 377 yards and 6 touchdowns. He was a marksman all night, taking what the opposing defense gave, and then nailing targets downfield when the Bulldogs wanted to go for more. The passes he threw on vertical routes were on the money and impossible to defend. Kautz and Bettendorf found their stride. Taron Green, Spencer, RB, <a href="https://twitter.com/green_taron">Twitter</a> Green, who saw limited action last year, has emerged as a very impressive, big play making ball carrier in the Spencer backfield. He looks pretty darn good at Linebacker, too. So far on the year he has 19 carries for 291 yards and 6 touchdowns. Green, from Spencer’s double wing look, does an outstanding job on outside veer and toss. The way he bursts off-tackle, at 6’1, 190, into the open field is impressive. Green also inserts, arc blocks, and carries out his fakes really well. Green has put plenty of versatile, high-end athleticism on film so far this year. Dexter Whitehill, Grundy Center, WR, <a href="https://twitter.com/DexterWhitehill">Twitter</a> Whitehill has stepped up and filled the number one Wide Receiver role for Grundy Center very nicely. He has already surpassed last season’s production with 19 catches for 348 yards and 4 touchdowns. Whitehill is a crisp route runner who clearly has excellent coordination and motor skills. He has made some catches this season you don’t see very often at the high school level that require a ton of athleticism. Whitehill can, and has, fully extend and dragged toes on the sideline or roasted opponents on vertical routes to get wide open. There is plenty of ability here. Morres Darboh, Des Moines Roosevelt, OL, <a href="https://twitter.com/DarbohMorres">Twitter</a> If you need an interior Lineman who is mobile and pulls with tons of violence, look no further. Mo Darboh is that guy. He does an incredible job of kicking out on GT and wrapping through on Power. Darboh also manhandles opponents on base blocks and proves that pass protection isn’t passive. He makes unsuspecting Defensive Linemen pay for getting too far upfield or out of their rush lane. Darboh shows maturity on film by keeping feet active, hands independent, aiming for hips on down blocks, and knocking teammates off double teams to overtake blocks. Abraham Duval, Marion, DL, <a href="https://twitter.com/AbrahamDuval">Twitter</a> Marion has a bright spot in the middle of their defense: Nose Tackle Abe Duval. He has already collected 20 tackles on the season, which is no easy feat lining up over the ball and working through double teams. Duval’s hands are outstanding; he places them violently to jar his opponents and separate. He may be a little undersized, but he uses his leverage perfectly to knock Offensive Linemen off their center of gravity and throw them away. Duval holds his gaps really well and is an expert at crossing a blocker’s face at the last second to make a tackle. Connor Schnettgoecke, Nevada, DL, <a href="https://twitter.com/CSchnett1">Twitter</a> Schnettgoecke cracked the starting lineup his senior year and is making huge contributions as an End for the 5-0 Cubs. He is a filled out 6’4 who manhandles his opponents. He has 15 tackles, 5 sacks, and 6.5 TFL on the season; Schnettgoecke has been immovable on the strong side of the defense and utilizes power moves behind his long arms to get in the backfield often against the pass. His body control, ability to change direction, and quick reactions to blocks he has shown on film is impressive. Schnettgoecke is making the most of his opportunity. [player_tooltip player_id="105141" first="Brody" last="Targgart"], Ankeny Centennial, DL, <a href="https://twitter.com/brody_targgart">Twitter</a> Targgart had a successful sophomore campaign; he looks confident at End and is blossoming into the position as a junior. He has 22 tackles, .5 sacks, and 4 TFL on the year and is on track to be even more productive than last season. At 6’2, 230 Targgart has the physical tools to excel at the next level and his week 5 play against Sioux City East is evidence that he is putting it all together and becoming the total package. He did a great job of diagnosing through his get off and reacting off his first step. His instant transition to pass rush is especially impressive. [player_tooltip player_id="152887" first="Tanner" last="Settles"], Fort Madison, LB, <a href="https://twitter.com/TannerSettles3">Twitter</a> Fort Madison is only giving up 8 points per game to opponents through 5 weeks. Part of an outstanding Linebacker corp, 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="152887" first="Tanner" last="Settles"] has racked up 24 tackles, 6 sacks, and 9 TFL on the year. Settles is extremely effective against offenses when they try to get lateral; there isn’t much he can’t get over the top of and run down. He is also a very physical blitzer who uses his speed to beat and take advantage of less athletic Offensive Linemen. Settles will be a three year starter when it is all said and done and is an explosive athlete whose stock is rising. [player_tooltip player_id="105169" first="Josh" last="Hendricks"], Dallas Center-Grimes, LB, <a href="https://twitter.com/JoshHen12302114">Twitter</a> Returning starter [player_tooltip player_id="105169" first="Josh" last="Hendricks"] has been a tackling machine for the Mustangs with 41 through five games and has put a lot of impressive ability on film despite his team’s struggles. Hendricks is perceptive and quick to diagnose; he consistently makes honest reads and gets to his gap or zone. There aren’t many young players who can defend the run and pass at a high level. Hendricks gets plenty of depth in his drop to the hook/curl taking routes over the middle of the field away and breaking on underneath patterns. His play has elevated and stock is up.