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 7 performances are broken down that earned these athletes some well-deserved recognition. Get to know them now. [player_tooltip player_id="152617" first="Zach" last="Lutmer"], QB, Central Lyon/George-Little Rock, <a href="https://twitter.com/LutmerZach">Twitter</a> 2023 dual-threat Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="152617" first="Zach" last="Lutmer"] is on the rise with impressive play this season. He has completed 57% of his passes for 647 yards and 4 touchdowns and added another 797 yards and 15 touchdowns on just 87 carries. He just put together a 248 total yard 3 total touchdown performance on only 12 touches. Lutmer is chock full of play making ability. He took QB Power out of Empty for a 57 yard score that showcased perfect patience, cuts, and speed. He has displayed things that just can’t be coached like terrific poise and arm strength. [player_tooltip player_id="104114" first="Nolan" last="DeLong"], RB, Durant, <a href="https://twitter.com/NolanDelong">Twitter</a> DeLong, a 2023, made his presence known as a Sophomore with a 1,589 yard 22 touchdown season that saw him average over 11 yards per carry; he also led his team in tackles. DeLong is at it again and showing signs that his game has elevated. He went off for 260 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 12 tackles in week 7. The vision and decisiveness he runs with has clearly matured. He looks physically stronger and more explosive evidenced by how he attacks when carrying the ball. DeLong is quickly becoming one of the best in his class regardless of position. Carter Henderson, RB, Linn-Mar, <a href="https://twitter.com/CarterHendee26">Twitter</a> Henderson saw some carries last year as a sophomore and was the Lions’ heir apparent heading into 2021. He has stepped into his role in a massive way and has given Linn-Mar a dimension to their game that is a big part of their season’s success. Henderson turned in a big 9 carry, 140 yard, 3 touchdown performance in week 7 that brought his season totals to 756 yards and 12 touchdowns. He does a remarkable job operating behind the power blocking schemes of the Lions’ 22 personnel sets. Henderson is a tough, dynamic, and gifted athlete. [player_tooltip player_id="100846" first="Gavin" last="Cornelison"], RB, ACGC, <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRealGavin21">Twitter</a> Cornelison, the Chargers leading rusher and tackler, is a big reason why ACGC is undefeated heading into a showdown with Van Meter to end the regular season. He has rushed for 1,227 yards and 23 touchdowns and added 37.5 tackles. Cornelison is one of Iowa’s best two-way players and, with his skill set, will be successful at the next level. Check out his weeks 1-5 highlights; it is full of big hits and angry runs. He is one of the most technical, violent tacklers around and just refuses to go down on carries. He would make an incredible college Fullback. John Ostrander, OL, Duque Hempstead, <a href="https://twitter.com/johnostrander73">Twitter</a> Ostrander, who plays Tackle, but projects as a Guard at the next level based on size and skill set has put together some impressive film. He wraps around the Tight End on a playside pull really well. He has a strong base and agile feet for his size that help him excel on base blocks, down blocks, and double teams. The mature technique he has developed makes him formidable against anyone. The 2022 has some room to fill out, but the position specific mechanics are there and getting bigger and stronger would only expedite his development. Luke Odefey, WR, Dubuque Hempstead, <a href="https://twitter.com/odefey_luke">Twitter</a> Senior Luke Odefey has emerged as Hempstead’s leading Wide Receiver with 32 catches for 506 yards and 4 touchdowns. He pulled in 13 passes for 106 yards against a really tough and stingy Cedar Falls secondary in week 7. In that effort Odefey showed off some impressive underneath route running and toughness after the catch. He ran hitches, slants, and bubbles into contact all night without hesitation. He improvised a route on a play to bail out his Quarterback and took a huge hit from a Linebacker. Odefey would make a great next level Slot. Drake Berry, DL, West Branch, <a href="https://twitter.com/DrakeBerry13">Twitter</a> 6’3 250 lb Lineman Drake Berry has been on a tear this year. He plays a 4-tech in the Bears’ defense and could excel there at the next level or, with his size, kick down to a 3-tech in an even front and wreak havoc. He has made 16.5 tackles and 3 sacks on the year, which is a very productive, high-end stat line for his position. Berry defeats blocks often with a shock and shed or arm-over; it appears on film that a lot of opponents choose to run away from his side of the ball. He had a scoop and score touchdown in week 7; his stock is certainly on the rise. Sean Gavin, Edge, Ankeny, <a href="https://twitter.com/SeanGavinn">Twitter</a> It can be easy to get overlooked when playing on such a densely talented team, but Gavin deserves recognition. The 6’3 220 lb edge defender is a menace at the line of scrimmage. He did an outstanding job of squeezing the end of the line and blitzing b gaps this past week against Des Moines North. He showed just how fast and violent his hands are defeating blocks all night and tracking the ball. His length and speed make him a perfect fit for playing in space and taking away outside runs. He has 12 TFL on the year and the offers should start rolling in. [player_tooltip player_id="118823" first="Grant" last="Reasner"], LB, Xavier, <a href="https://twitter.com/grantreasner">Twitter</a> Reasner just picked up a well-deserved offer from Drake and that could be just the beginning for the 6’3 ultra athletic Linebacker. He is a key piece of the puzzle on the Xavier defense, which is one of the best in Iowa right now. Reasner lines up everywhere at Linebacker and even puts his hand in the dirt. There is a constant no matter where he starts the play; he is a fast, violent matchup nightmare that wrecks plays. Reasner does it all and it is intriguing to think about where he will plug in when he makes his college decision. He is a 2022 to follow closely. Ryne Vander Leest, LB, Iowa City West, <a href="https://twitter.com/rynevanderleest">Twitter</a> Trojans’ leading tackler Ryne Vander Leest has had himself quite a season so far amassing 49 tackles. Keep in mind that West had to forfeit their week 7 contest due to Covid. His play has been a huge bright spot on the defense and the 2023 is the kind of player a unit can build around. Though he is just a little undersized and likely a Strong Safety at the next level, playing down allows him to be a factor as often as possible. He is a stop-gap that cleans things up and makes teammates right if an assignment is blown. Vander Leest is a newcomer on the rise.