Prep Redzone Iowa’s Newcomers and Stock Risers | Week 8
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Players emerge and make leaps on a weekly basis. Learn about some of Iowa’s new names and players whose stock is rising . Ten athletes stood out after week 8; some of their performances and strengths are highlighted below. Get…
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Continue ReadingPlayers emerge and make leaps on a weekly basis. Learn about some of Iowa’s new names and players whose stock is rising . Ten athletes stood out after week 8; some of their performances and strengths are highlighted below. Get to know these players now as the regular season is winding down.
Quinton Tran, QB, Iowa City High, Twitter
Sophomore Quinton Tran has shown some impressive play throughout the season for City High as he has split time taking snaps. He has been very efficient on the year completing 74% of his passes and only throwing 1 interception. Tran went 12/14 for 196 yards and 4 touchdowns in week 8; there was plenty of evidence that his game is taking some big steps forward in this outing. He looked both mobile, in the pocket and on rollout, and calm under pressure. On more than one occasion Tran did a nice job of slipping a defender and finding a target downfield.
Noah Pettinger, QB, Hempstead, Twitter
Pettinger, in his first year as Hempstead’s Varsity Quarterback, has quietly put together a very successful season and body of work. The 6’3 gunslinger averages a little over 200 passing yards and 2 passing touchdowns per game. He sees the field very well, is decisive, and isn’t afraid to trust his arm. Pettinger does a noticeably good job of matching his throwing motions with the route he is targeting. He also does an impressive job of looking off coverage to make defenders think one thing, but then throw elsewhere. Pettinger is also a very good Punter.
Brady Miller, RB, North Polk, Twitter
Miller has burst onto the scene in a big way and will have a good chance to crack the illustrious 1,000 yard mark to end his Junior campaign. He is a powerful, every down back who knows how to get north-south in a hurry and maximize his touches. Miller is quite versatile. On one play in week 8 he caught a little arrow route out of the backfield, turned up the sideline, and was somehow able to stay in bounds through contact for a 55 yard gain. On another he smashed through the B gap on Power and broke several tackles for a very hard-earned 17 yards.
Will Hinrichs, WR, Ankeny, Twitter
Hinrichs is getting hot and developing strong rapport with his Quarterback at the perfect time for the Hawks. His effectiveness in the passing game can put defenses in a serious bind. Hinrichs caught 9 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown in week 8; his style of play is an excellent complement to the rest of the Ankeny lineup. He runs impressive underneath routes and has the potential to be a reception machine with the way he uses his frame and strength to attack balls thrown his way and keep coverage away. He fights very hard after the catch, too.
Cavan Jones, OL, Ankeny Centennial, Twitter
The Jaguars have a monster with a high ceiling in their 2023 Tackle, Cavan Jones. He is an athletic 6’4 who moves very well out of his stance and within the description of his job. What stands out most on film is how mature his pass protection is. He stays balanced in his set and is patient to strike; there isn’t much, if anything, he gives pass rushers to work with. As a run blocker Jones does a great job of getting power from his insteps and hips. He does impressive work when scooping and digging opponents out of gaps. He is physical and stays attached.
Nick Wells Nick Wells 6'3" | 230 lbs | DL Sioux City East | 2023 State IA , DE, Sioux City East, Twitter
6’3 Junior Nick Wells Nick Wells 6'3" | 230 lbs | DL Sioux City East | 2023 State IA has been having himself a breakout year on the Defensive Line; he has relentlessly dominated the line of scrimmage on his way to a 5A leading 68 Tackles. Wells also has 5 Sacks and 21.5 TFL. Wells owned his gap and single-handedly wrecked plays in week 8; scouts will love his film. On one play he beat a setting Tackle with speed, destroyed a Back that tried to block him, and drilled the Quarterback as he got rid of the ball. He has a top notch speed-chop-bend move and is so violent at the point of attack. Opponents can’t escape him.
Greyson Else, DE, Urbandale, Twitter
The J-Hawks have a pair of impressive pass rushers and Else has been doing a great job of holding his side of the ball down his Senior year. Else has plenty of versatility and physical ability that makes him a matchup nightmare as a 3-4 End. He lined up on inside gaps and the edge in week 8 and came away with 7 Tackles, .5 Sack, and a TFL as part of Urbandale’s shutout effort. His speed was a problem for interior Linemen; they couldn’t get off the ball fast enough to keep Else out of the backfield. He also got plenty of push when playing the C gap.
Karon Elmore, LB/SS, Kennedy, Twitter
Elmore has had a successful season lining up as a hybrid Strong Safety/Outside Linebacker. He is a physical presence in the alley and on the backside of formations that makes the Kennedy defense strong and solidified across the field. Elmore does really well as that “apex” defender because he sets a hard edge and the alignment keeps him close enough to be a factor on inside runs. He is a fearless and secure tackler who will make an offense think twice about where they want to attack. Elmore is also very good at pressing and collisioning Receivers.
Cameron Meislahn, LB, Bondurant-Farrar, Twitter
Meislahn has the size and skill set to work a variety of alignments and dominate. He can play a stand up End and crash gaps, play a true Outside Linebacker and run plays down, and play a downhill Inside Linebacker and shock and shed blockers to get to the ball. That was exactly what he did in week 8 against Indianola and his versatility made it hard for his opponents to get anything going. The 6’3 Senior has 60 tackles this season and could be someone who picks up some late offers after what he has been able to do. There is plenty to like about how he plays.
Connor Corson, DB, North Scott, Twitter
The Lancers had a lot of impressive pieces from their state title team return and Connor Corson is definitely one of them. The rangy Free Safety provides a lot of security over the top and is capable of filling that role in a one or two-high look. Corson keeps everything in front of him, picks up and trades off on routes, and breaks once the ball is in the air at a high level. He is also an impressive tackler who knows how to mirror a ball carrier’s path and get to the play no matter where it is going. Corson has posted 23 Tackles and 4 Interceptions through 8 weeks.