Prep Redzone Iowa’s Newcomers and Stock Risers | Week 9
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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 9; some of their performances and strengths are highlighted below. Get to know these players now as the regular season has reached its end.
Jack Wallace, QB, Iowa City West, Twitter
Wallace capped off his Freshman campaign with an impressive outing against Pleasant Valley. In the loss he completed 16/28 passes for 227 yards and 2 touchdowns. The young 6’3 gunslinger looks the part and puts a lot on display that should have the Trojans feeling excited about the future of their program. Wallace has a rifle for an arm and the strength he can put behind his passes is notable when throwing to any spot on the field. He got the ball out quickly and accurately against heavy pressure in week 9. Wallace is a top name in the 2025 class.
Adrian Broadus, QB, Johnston, Twitter
Broadus, just a Sophomore, had some big shoes to fill when his predecessor, who was expected to have a big year, was injured. He put together an impressive performance in week 9 throwing for 243 yards and 3 touchdowns on 11/23 attempts. Broadus looked very confident throwing into high traffic areas of the field. The way he attacked those hard to make passes speaks to how high his ceiling can be as he continues to develop. One of his touchdowns came on a deep post and the ball sailed on a perfect trajectory right into the basket of his target.
Kale Hobart Kale Hobart 6'1" | 160 lbs | QB Mason City | 2023 IA , QB, Mason City, Twitter
6’2 Junior Kale Hobart Kale Hobart 6'1" | 160 lbs | QB Mason City | 2023 IA had himself a big game in week 9 completing 17/30 attempts for 282 yards and 4 touchdowns against Western Dubuque. The Mohawks’ Quarterback was throwing darts all night; he put impressive pinpoint accuracy on display and the command he had over the ball was precise. He threw a sidearm pass off his back foot with a ton of zip and fit it into the smallest of windows. The way he adjusts the speed and trajectory of his passes makes him very efficient. One of his touchdowns was lofted perfectly downfield for his target to run under.
Tyge Lyon, RB, Pleasant Valley, Twitter
Sophomore Tyge Lynon has stepped into the Fullback role in the Pleasant Valley Wing T very nicely and came through with a big performance in his regular season finale. Lyon carried 15 times for 170 yards and 2 touchdowns. The young back adds plenty of depth to an already talented Spartans backfield; there is no reason he can’t be the bellcow for the next couple of years. Pleasant Valley runs this style of offense a lot better than most. The way they disguise the backfield and carry out fakes creates even more chances for Lyon to rumble for big gains.
Cason Stevenson, RB, Nevada, Twitter
Stevenson has emerged as one of the top Backs in Iowa’s class of 2024. He totalled 116 yards and 2 touchdowns on just 11 carries in week 9; that pushed his regular season total to 959 yards and 13 touchdowns and an average of 9.9 yards per carry. Stevenson has incredible field vision and is deceptively fast. His footwork to and through the line of scrimmage is very efficient and well-timed. It is clear he understands the playbook, where blocking is, and how to best fit into the calls. He is elusive when there is space and accelerates on contact when there is not.
Jacob Kieler, RB, Cedar Falls, Twitter
Kieler, a Junior and the Tigers’ lead back, had a big night in week 9; he ran 24 times for 203 yards and a touchdown. He chipped away at the Dubuque Senior defense with a steady dose of GH Counter and Toss. With Cedar Falls backed up on their own 3 yard line Kieler took a handoff, cut inside his pullers into a seam, hurdled the tackle of a diving Safety, and was off to the races. The Rams were very aggressive upfield and Kieler knew just how to take advantage with patience and burst. Kieler should be expected to see an increased workload next year.
Dayton Harrell Dayton Harrell 5'9" | 165 lbs | DB Sioux City North | 2024 State IA , RB, Sioux City North, Twitter
Sophomore playmaker Dayton Harrell Dayton Harrell 5'9" | 165 lbs | DB Sioux City North | 2024 State IA wrapped up the regular season with a 169 yard and 2 touchdown night. Harrell has done a bit of everything for the Stars this season and, with both players he shared carries with graduating, should be the lead man for the next couple years. There is so much twitch and explosive change of direction when he carries the ball. Defenders will think they have him lined up, but then he makes impossible cuts. He is a burner and once he gets to the open field he is as good as gone. Harrell is also very impressive in coverage.
Ty Cozad, RB, Muscatine, Twitter
Cozad came through for the Muskies in his Sophomore year as an impressive piece to build around for the future. He finished with 497 yards and 3 touchdowns while handling about one third of the carries and contributed 19.5 tackles as a Linebacker. Davenport West just didn’t have an answer for Cozad on Power Lead in week 9. On several occasions, including one of his touchdowns, he took the handoff and cut perfectly into the gaps created by the blocking scheme. He is very shifty to the line of scrimmage and explosive as he works beyond it.
Cooper Nicholson, WR, Dowling Catholic, Twitter
Nicholson stepped up big in week 9 and, based on what he put on film, that should be a continued trend with the return of his starting Quarterback. They definitely found chemistry; Nicholson has caught 14 passes for 199 yards and 2 touchdowns in the two games they have been back together. Nicholson operates out of the Slot and runs outstanding underneath routes. He knows how to attack coverage, find soft spots, and get open. The timing of his patterns create easy windows to throw the ball to. He is both reliable and capable of big plays.
Christian Barney, TE, Iowa City LIberty, Twitter
Junior pass catcher Christian Barney ended his season on a high note with the Lightning hauling in 6 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown. The ability he put on film in week 9 definitely makes him someone to put on the radar for next season. Barney is a physical 6’3 presence at the end of the Offensive Line with his hand in the dirt or at H. He does a very impressive job of selling a block or protection and then releasing into a route. Barney is fearless over the middle of the field; contact won’t keep him from making a play. He is highly skilled.