PRZ Iowa | New to the Scene | Part 2

August 26th feels like it is forever away and then some. It may not seem like it, but the season will be here before you know it. There are plenty of household names that everyone has on their board and will be keeping a close eye on, but there is also plenty of lesser known or undiscovered talent that could make 2022 their year. These athletes have already done some very impressive things on the field, have shown flashes of serious ability, or dominated the underclassman scene that make them legitimate breakout candidates and names on the rise. Get to know these guys now before the season is here as they are sure to make plenty of noise and become known across the state. [player_tooltip player_id="300641" first="Rowan" last="Carlson"], RB, Tripoli, C/O 2023, 5’10 180, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13375107/617acc4dbd6a2e05389ae527">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/RowanCarlson32">Twitter</a> Carlson is undoubtedly one of the top ball carriers and athletes in the world of 8-player football; the way the Panthers line up in their Split-Back Shotgun and I-Formation sets and run different zone concepts is a perfect fit for his skill set. Carlson ran for 1,016 yards and 13 touchdowns on 124 carries. He also led his defense in tackles with 61. The first thing that jumps out when watching Carlson carry the rock is his vision. He is sometimes the one taking snaps and making reads and, when that is the case, he really puts defenses in a bind. Carlson is skilled in the mesh in either role. What you notice next is the burst he moves with once he makes a decision; Carlson accelerates very quickly. Then you recognize the breakaway speed and the ease with which he moves. Carlson glides down the field and makes it look effortless while everyone in pursuit is visibly straining. One play that illustrates these attributes really well was a GT Counter. He took the handoff, saw the defense had over pursued, cut inside both pullers, and was gone. [player_tooltip player_id="252306" first="Niyo" last="Francois"], DB/ATH, Hoover, C/O 2025, 5’9 160, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16863110/Niyo-Francois/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/dbniyo12">Twitter</a> By all accounts Francois is an exceptionally talented athlete and one of the top up and coming names. He recorded 9.5 tackles as a Freshman on Varsity and certainly looks to possess the skill set to support what the general consensus is when it comes to what he can do over the next few years. First of all, Francois’ game speed is off the charts. There is a clip on his highlights of him as a gunner on punt. He flew past his opponent at the snap and stormed downfield; he was so fast, in fact, that he overran the returner, but didn’t give up on the play. Francois put his foot in the ground and caught up to make the tackle on the return man who had a big head start. On another play, lined up at Corner, he started about 8 yards off the ball, the offense ran a Jet Sweep right at him, and he flew downhill to make the tackle for no gain. There is a ton of athleticism present in his movements and it is scary to think about how good he can become as that skill is crafted into the descriptions of his position. Expect Francois to take on a large role moving forward. [player_tooltip player_id="211690" first="Caleb" last="Garnand"], WR/DB, Lawton-Bronson, C/O 2024, 6’0 165, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14628327/617bfe050c539c0a00ea7fa6">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/CalebGarnand1">Twitter</a> Garnand put together quite the Sophomore campaign for the Eagles catching 21 passes for 444 yards and 6 touchdowns; he was equally effective on defense recording 20.5 tackles and an interception. What impresses most about Garnand’s performance on offense is how efficient and effective he was running routes out of a Double Wing scheme. He does such a great job of disguising the first five yards of his routes to make it look like he is climbing to a second level block. Garnand manipulates defenders into coming downhill and then slips by them into space. He is very fast and if Safeties aren’t perfectly disciplined there is no way they are going to be able to recover, cover ground, and make a play as long as the ball is thrown well. The position specific skills needed to thrive as a Wide Receiver in a different style of offense are very much present. Garnand is very clean in and out of breaks and is very skilled at adjusting to the ball. He is also physical after the catch and there are some nice highlights of him dragging defenders or throwing stiff arms. Vincenzo Gianforte, QB, Kennedy, C/O 2025, 5’11 180, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16056693/Vincenzo-Gianforte/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/VincenzoGianfo3">Twitter</a> Kennedy benefited greatly from some outstanding Quarterback play in 2021 and it looks as if they have someone waiting in the wings to continue that trend in the form of Freshman Vincenzo Gianforte. Gianforte’s Freshman season highlights show that he has the kind of arm strength that can be molded, but not coached and there is already evidence of advanced throwing mechanics in the way he gets the ball out. On one play against Hempstead Gianforte took the snap under Center, rolled out on a play action fake, and launched a pass nearly forty yards down field on the run to nail a wheel route. The way he got his chest and shoulders all the way through and square to his target on his release isn’t an easy thing to do. It’s the kind of throw that suggests he could step in and be that guy for the Cougars for the next few years. Gianforte is clearly comfortable on the move, but looks to be just as poised staying in the pocket and delivering strikes. He hits a variety of routes, tough ones at that, and looks very confident when doing it. Michael Steinfeldt, OL, Van Meter, C/O 2023, 6’2 215, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13000947/61a0248d5b3ca713887b1b73">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/MichaelSteinfe7">Twitter</a> Steinfeldt had quite a season on the line of scrimmage earning all-district honors, all-state honors, and helping the Bulldogs capture their second state title in school history. Steinfeldt, though undersized for a Right Tackle, blocked like a savage and helped pave the way for one of Iowa’s top Running Backs and dual-threat Quarterbacks. Steinfeldt is a bully in the trenches; he has a nasty temperament and the physical tool box to match. One play on his highlights that illustrates this perfectly is a simple Inside Zone that Van Meter ran out of 11 personnel to Steifeldt’s side of the ball on their opponent’s 15 yard line. He, with his Tight End, hit a perfect double team to blast the Defensive End off the ball. His Tight End peeled off after they drove for about five yards, but Steinfeldt stayed attached, kept the ride going for another ten yards, and absolutely buried his opponent near the goal line. The placement of his hands paired with excellent posture and insteps that fired like pistons was a demonstration of textbook run blocking technique.