PRZ Iowa | 2021 All-Regular Season Team | Defense
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In an incredible regular season, full of outstanding individual performances, the following athletes sustained their play at the highest level. Take a look at the defensive edition of Prep Redzone Iowa’s All-Regular Season Team. Congratulations to these players on a…
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Continue ReadingIn an incredible regular season, full of outstanding individual performances, the following athletes sustained their play at the highest level. Take a look at the defensive edition of Prep Redzone Iowa’s All-Regular Season Team. Congratulations to these players on a remarkable 2021 campaign!
Ben Kueter Ben Kueter 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB Iowa City High | 2023 State IA , LB, Iowa City High, Twitter
There wasn’t an offensive player on the Little Hawks’ schedule this regular season that was safe with Kueter looming over them. He finished the year with 73 tackles, a crazy 40 solo and 31.5 TFL, and 7 sacks. The ease with which he ran plays down using outstanding speed and finished them with brutal physicality was a sight to behold. Be it on the edge or inside gaps, Kueter was a wrecking ball who could not be escaped.
Blake Bellamy Blake Bellamy 6'1" | 190 lbs | LB Winterset | 2022 State IA , LB, Winterset, Twitter
Bellamy, a tackling machine, capped off the regular season with 74 total tackles, 55 of which were solo, 19.5 TFL, and 4 sacks. Bellamy can be put to the strength of anyone’s formation and shut it down. He has plenty of twitch and a nose for the ball. Bellamy excels and is an asset against both the run and pass; it would be a challenge for opponents to call plays away from him because he is all over the field.
Tate Lyon Tate Lyon 6'0" | 205 lbs | LB Pleasant Valley | 2024 State IA , LB, Pleasant Valley, Twitter
A true Inside Linebacker through and through, Lyon spent the regular season wreaking havoc in the box. He finished up the 9 week slate with 70.5 tackles, 46 solo, 10 TFL, and a sack. Lyon, just a Sophomore, made it impossible for teams to run between the tackles. The way he consistently read keys, got downhill, defeated blocks, and shot his gap to greet ball carriers for little to no gain is textbook position play.
Jake Erickson Jake Erickson 6'0" | 190 lbs | DB Fort Dodge | 2022 State IA , DB, Fort Dodge, Twitter
Erickson is one of the best two-high Safeties and open field tacklers around. His ability to stay disciplined as a pass first player and contribute so much to defending the run is very impressive. He ended the regular season with 67.5 tackles, 52 solo, 3 TFL, and an interception. Coming down from space and covering so much ground to be involved so heavily in the run requires a ton of skill and instincts; he’s got them.
Jamison Patton Jamison Patton 6'2" | 190 lbs | DB Des Moines Roosevelt | 2023 State IA , DB, Roosevelt, Twitter
The statistics, which are impressive, are just one part of the equation when it comes to Patton’s stellar regular season. Actually seeing what he is capable of athletically is stunning. The 6’2 two-way standout is so fast, fluid, and explosive in his movements. He recorded 23 tackles and an interception on defense as a single-high Safety patrolling the middle of the field. His range and ability to get to any play is a must see.
Jeron Senters, DB, Kennedy, Twitter
Senters brought a lot of value to the Cougars in the regular season in each phase of the game. As a Corner he recorded 20 tackles and 5 interceptions on the way to 9-0. After stringing together several weeks of shutdown play it is difficult to understand why opponents would continue to throw at him. He has the speed and mobility to run with anyone in man coverage. Senters doesn’t flinch on the outside.
Keith Moko Keith Moko 6'2" | 170 lbs | DB Newton | 2022 State IA , DB, Newton, Twitter
Moko, a true cover corner, only came up with one interception in the regular season, but that’s because the opponents he covered were rarely targeted; he contributed 15.5 tackles. The way Moko can move in reverse and stick to routes is elite. The extra gear he kicks it into to get to plays and the ball skills he has once he gets there are very impressive. Moko plays the pass better than the Receiver it’s thrown to.
Nick Miller Nick Miller 6'3" | 205 lbs | DL Lewis Central | 2022 State IA , DL, Lewis Central, Twitter
Miller propelled the quality of his game even further forward this regular season. He tallied 12.5 sacks on top of his 33.5 tackles and 23 TFL. The edge defender has an explosive first step, a seamless transition to pass rush, and natural bend that is impossible to block. Miller recovered a fumble and intercepted a swing pass this fall. There aren’t many athletes out there who can use their hands and execute moves like him.
Braden Simonsen Braden Simonsen 6'3" | 235 lbs | DL Ankeny | 2022 State IA , DL, Ankeny, Twitter
Simonsen might be the most underrated defensive player in Iowa; his body of work this regular season is proof. His versatility across the front led to 39.5 tackles, 16 TFL, and 6 sacks. This was against some of the best, most highly recruited Offensive Linemen around. The way he gets his hands out in front of him to win the point of attack is high-yielding. Simonsen’s power and length can ruin offensive schemes.
Nick Wells Nick Wells 6'3" | 230 lbs | DL Sioux City East | 2023 State IA , DL, Sioux City East, Twitter
Wells recorded 73 tackles, 60 of them were solo, from the Defensive Line; the state line is unbelievable. He added 6 sacks and 24.5 TFL. The Junior’s regular season performance is one for the ages. Wells overwhelmed those who tried to block for the run with notably violent hands. Ball carriers had nowhere to hide. Wells’ pass rush from a two-point stance or a wide tilt was fearsome on passing downs.
Jaylen Pettus-McMullen Jaylen Pettus-McMullen 6'2" | 220 lbs | DL Dowling Catholic | 2022 State IA , DL, Dowling Catholic, Twitter
Pettus-McMullen spent most of his time working on inside gaps until this year; he made a smooth transition to End and was very productive tallying 28 tackles and 8 sacks working the C gaps. His value as an interior rusher remained as Pettus-McMullen expertly performed stunts and games along the front. His fast feet and sharp footwork paired with well-trained hands made life very difficult for his opponents.