Class 5A, District 1: Top Offensive, Defensive Standouts
Photo: Twitter jamisonpattonn
Dana Becker
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A healthy mix of standout seniors and junior comprise the list of top players from Class 5A, District 1 this past fall.
With the likes of perennial powers West Des Moines Valley and Ankeny calling the district home, that is no surprise.
<strong>[player_tooltip player_id="104081" first="JJ" last="Kohl"] - Ankeny - QB - 6-6 - 230</strong>
A rising prospect at quarterback, [player_tooltip player_id="104081" first="JJ" last="Kohl"] is quickly picking up offers left and right.
Kohl had a fantastic year leading the Hawks, completing over 60 percent of his passes with 25 touchdowns and just four interceptions on 237 attempts. His accuracy is top-notch, as his ability to thread the needle to find an open receiver.
Kohl showed more than enough in the run game, keeping defenses honest with his athleticism. He has excellent size, speed and arm strength, and with another year to grow, those areas will only improve.
Iowa, Iowa State, Florida State, Missouri and Nebraska have all offered the 6-foot-6, 230-pounder.
<strong>[player_tooltip player_id="24030" first="Jamison" last="Patton"] - Des Moines Roosevelt - QB/S - 6-1 - 195</strong>
Another member of the incredible junior class is Des Moines Roosevelt super athlete [player_tooltip player_id="24030" first="Jamison" last="Patton"]. He helped the Roughriders to five wins, throwing for 1,278 yards while running for another 548.
All total, Patton had 21 touchdowns on offense and was a key member of the Roosevelt defense with 23 tackles, including 15 solo stops, and an interception. He is as good a safety prospect as you will find in the Class of 2023, displaying speed, size and ball-hawking skills aplenty.
Patton has picked up offers from Iowa, Iowa State and Nebraska, and should have plenty more on the table by this time next season if he doesn’t decide early on his future.
<strong>[player_tooltip player_id="100848" first="Drew" last="Henderson"] - West Des Moines Valley - LB - 5-11 - 210</strong>
When you lead the West Des Moines Valley in tackles, that catches the eye of recruits around the midwest. That is exactly what [player_tooltip player_id="100848" first="Drew" last="Henderson"] did this past season.
You can tell from the film that Henderson is a student of the game, putting himself in position to make the tackle play after play after play. He has a nose for the ball and is able to fend off blockers with ease.
In coverage, Henderson reads and reacts quickly, picking up receivers, tight ends and running backs in space. He finished the year with 76.5 tackles, including 49 solo stops, with 7.5 for loss, three sacks and two interceptions.
<strong>Josh Jenkins - Des Moines Lincoln - RB/DB - 6-0 - 160</strong>
Opposing defenses knew to stop Des Moines Lincoln, they needed to contain Josh Jenkins. That was a difficult task to accomplish, though, thanks to the running style of Jenkins.
He finished his senior year with 1,113 yards on 135 carries, averaging over eight yards per rush while scoring 17 touchdowns. Jenkins also showed off his hands in the passing game, catching 11 balls for 153 yards at almost 14 yards per touch.
On the field, Jenkins combines great vision with excellent speed and a quick first move. Lincoln put him in various roles to get him the ball and he shined on each.
Jenkins has picked up offers from Upper Iowa and Benedictine in recent months after his strong senior season.
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