PRZ Iowa | The Rundown | Season Reviews Part 1
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The athletes featured below have wrapped up their 2021 seasons; what they were able to accomplish and put on film is among the best the state of Iowa has to offer. Take a look at their unique skill sets and…
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Continue ReadingThe athletes featured below have wrapped up their 2021 seasons; what they were able to accomplish and put on film is among the best the state of Iowa has to offer. Take a look at their unique skill sets and what sets them apart in their regular season review. Each write-up examines what makes these players special when it comes to position specific technique and ability.
Cam Guenther Cam Guenther 6'1" | 175 lbs | WR Linn-Mar | 2022 IA , C/O 2022DB/WR, Linn-Mar, Twitter, hudl
Guenther excelled in all phases of the game for the Lions in 2021 as their leading Wide Receiver, their ballhawking Defensive Back, and their speedy return man. As the top target in the passing game he caught 25 balls for 671 yards and 9 touchdowns. Guenther possesses incredible acceleration and straight line speed, evidenced by how often he blows by coverage at the snap, and the way he adjusts routes to get to or run under a ball is remarkable. The footwork maintained through that speed, whether going in and out of breaks or putting moves on an opponent after the catch, is elite. Guenther tallied 36.5 tackles and 6 interceptions as a Safety. It was nearly impossible to get behind him in his deep zone and the way he showed that he can break on routes and make ultra athletic plays on the ball makes him a great fit in any kind of two-high look. There was no fear against the run either, he flew into the alley or fit into the box like a missile to limit gains.
Keegan Andriano, C/O 2022, DB, Centennial, Twitter, hudl
Anriano’s hudl is a collection of big hits; he spent the fall absolutely bringing the hammer week after week. He finished with 59 tackles and 2 interceptions. At 6’1 with exceptional closing speed, leaping ability, and textbook form at the point of attack Andriano has what it takes to be an outstanding player at the next level. His skill set shouts 4-2-5 Nickel Backer or a single-high scheme that likes to roll their Strong down in formations. What is most impressive about Andriano’s play is that so many of these huge hits came in the open field. This speaks to how well he understands the concepts of leverage and angles in space. He is able to, on the fly, know where his help is and how he fits into the play to get to an exact landmark and demolish opponents. Plays that stand out, like ones against Sioux City East and Valley, looked like an offense was about to break a big play, but Andriano seemingly came out of nowhere to definitively turn them away.
Cole Garwood Cole Garwood 6'3" | 215 lbs | LB Urbandale | 2023 State IA , C/O 2023, Edge, Urbandale, Twitter, hudl
Garwood’s stock soared in 2021; at 6’3 with a ton of twitch and explosiveness he is sure to become one of the big names in Iowa’s recruiting scene this off-season. His talents would lend incredibly well as a modern day 3-4 Outside Linebacker. His off-tackle run defense and pass rushing has limitless potential. Garwood recorded a team high 71.5 tackles, 9.5 sacks, and 29.5 TFL. The statistics are outstanding; the film shows a very clear picture as to how he was able to be so productive. He took a lot of reps as an inside Will Backer whose job it was to blitz, wreck gaps, and get in the backfield as often as possible. Garwood excelled in his role. To complement all of the athletic ability Garwood did an impressive job of recognizing run or pass and locating the ball. Once locked on he erupted through blocking schemes. Whenever Garwood recognized pass protection there was a noticeable difference in how he played the down. His physicality and instincts can’t be taught.
AJ Petersen, C/O 2023, DL, North Scott, Twitter, hudl
Though a little undersized, Petersen dominated the C gaps with his hand in the dirt this fall and put a ton of ability on film that is key to being a dominant edge defender. He finished the year with 47 tackles, 6 sacks, and 15 TFL and used plenty of technique to make it happen. Petersen’s bend and mobility is one of the first parts of his game that stands out. He is strong to the point of attack, quick to recognize the type of block he is working against, and a model of consistency in the way he reacts to blocks. The way Petersen transitions to pass rush is a great illustration of this. He re-sets his inside hand to the collar, runs his feet into it to execute a “long-arm”, gets his hips around, and drops his shoulder under his opponent’s hip as he’s passing. Petersen is also disciplined against the run. He knows how to play the heel and stay square to the field. Petersen has plenty in the tool box. He has also shown he can speed rush on passing downs and slant to inside gaps to crash the run.
Jacob Brecht, C/O 2022, RB/LB, Benton, Twitter, hudl
Brecht, Benton’s leading rusher and tackler, put together one of Iowa’s more impressive two-way performances in 2021. He carried 205 times for 1,397 yards and 14 touchdowns. Brecht is downhill and very nimble on his carries. The way he can open up his hips while keeping his shoulders square and accelerate makes him so dangerous out of the backfield. Brecht’s movements with the ball in his hands are very smooth; it looks like he is moving with ease while everyone else around him is straining just to keep up. His strides are very long, which makes him hard to track; his cuts seem to come out of nowhere. Brecht, on the other side of the ball, flips a switch going from an offensive skill player with a ton of finesse to a violent tackling machine. The way he was able to channel different abilities to fit the job description impresses. He racked up 81.5 tackles, 71 were solo. Getting over the top of blocks while matching the path of ball carriers led to a lot of plays.
Tynan Numkena Tynan Numkena 6'2" | 205 lbs | WR Bettendorf | 2022 State IA , C/O 2022, WR, Bettendorf, Twitter, hudl
Numkena, despite Bettendorf’s offensive struggles, was still able to produce and showed off the skill that helped him become one of the most decorated Receivers in Bulldogs history. He finished with 39 receptions that went for 522 yards and 4 touchdowns and made some highlight reel plays against some of the top defenses and best defensive players in 5A. Numkena made a fully extended, leaping catch against Kennedy in between defenders; a play that very few could make. He was somehow able to maintain his balance through the catch and contact to pick up extra yards. The focus, toughness, and balance shown on the play was incredible. He is definitely one of the most polished route runners in Iowa and has a skill set and approach to the game that would make for a very productive Slot at the next level. He made another extremely difficult catch later in the year against Pleasant Valley while getting mauled by coverage. Numkena is willing to go up and grab anything.
Dillon Ranck Dillon Ranck 6'3" | 190 lbs | WR Norwalk Highschool | 2023 State IA , C/O 2023, WR, Norwalk, Twitter, hudl
Ranck took on a big role this regular season as the Warriors’ number one Receiver and ran with it. Norwalk graduated their top three pass catchers from a season ago leaving some big shoes to fill. Ranck stepped right in and delivered with a 45 catch, 718 yard, and 5 touchdown season. The big 6’3 route runner moves incredibly well at his size; the footwork and sprint mechanics he plays the position with are very impressive and an outstanding compliment to his big frame and catch radius. Ranck does a terrific job of knowing how to adjust and position himself within routes against man coverage to keep defenders from making plays on the ball. He does just as well finding soft spots against zones to get open and set up big opportunities to pick up yards after the catch. As impressive as anything is how well he sustains blocks on the outside to earn the rock. Ranck does it all. He creates big matchup problems for a defense because he can operate through any level of the field and make big plays.
Jackson Morton Jackson Morton 6'2" | 160 lbs | DB Greene County | 2022 IA , ATH, Greene County, Twitter, hudl
Morton could plug in at a number of positions at the next level and be a big success; he was a utility player of sorts for Greene County this year and did it all at a high level. Morton played Defensive Back, took carries, caught passes, and returned kicks. Morton took 32 carries for 246 yards and 9 touchdowns, caught 36 balls for 612 yards and 6 touchdowns, and recorded 38 tackles and 2 interceptions. There is a unique grit and determination he plays with; he took a handoff against Roland-Story and was contacted right away, but lowered his shoulder, kept his feet driving, and didn’t go down until he was hit for the ninth time on the play. He caught a hitch-n-go against Shenandoah with just a little separation and by the time he was in the end zone the nearest defender was 15 yards away. Against Red Oak he crept down, blitzed the edge, and recorded a sack-fumble that was returned for a touchdown. This barely scratches the surface, Morton just makes things happen.