PRZ Iowa | New to the Scene | Part 5

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. Michael Banks, DL, Van Meter, C/O 2023, 6’1 195, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13000888/61a51bd5a0199f0a206d85d6">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/michaelbanksii">Twitter</a> Banks is one of the fastest, twitchiest Defensive Linemen around. His skill set makes it so difficult for his opponents to block and, for now, he is right at home on the line of scrimmage. Banks is undersized, but the evidence he has stockpiled makes it clear that he could be just as effective in other positions; it just so happens that this is where he can make the greatest impact on every play and he does. Banks caused fits for opposing offenses lining up on inside gaps with unparalleled speed and violence. The way he frequently beat opponents out of their stance, got hands on, and threw much larger players to the side like they were nothing is very impressive. To have racked up 31 tackles as the Nose in an Under front is quite an accomplishment and it comes as no surprise after watching his film that he was an all-state selection. On one of his highlights he locked out on the Guard into the A gap, played gap and a half, tossed his opponent across his face, and stormed through the B gap for a tackle for loss. He would thrive as a 3-4 Outside Linebacker in college. Connor Moberly, QB, Southeast Polk, C/O 2024, 6’4 185, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/14673095/618987c190eebf0a40108f8c">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/connor_moberly">Twitter</a> It is incredible to see the way some of the programs across Iowa are developing young talent and have gotten to a point where they can seemingly reload, even after graduating some of the best players the state has seen in recent history. This is absolutely the case at Southeast Polk; they appear to have a couple of exceptional young Quarterbacks waiting in the wings. One of them is Connor Moberly who is coming off of an exceptional JV season and looks to have all the athletic talent and measurables that can’t be coached. Whether he grabs the job this year or not, one thing is for certain, the Rams are set up for the near future. Moberly threw for 2,142 yards and tossed 27 touchdowns as a Sophomore. What is most impressive about his stat line is that he completed 74% of his passes. Moberly’s footwork and mobility when dropping back is so smooth and poised. He can sling it, too. His release is a little bit long and wound up, but that is something that will develop with time. The point is, what Moberly is doing from a mechanical standpoint is advanced for his age and he throws dimes. Will Neuharth, DB, Harlan, C/O 2023, 5’10 160, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16413433/61fb1705b018a50cf8b0a479">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/wilneuharth">Twitter</a> The Cyclones’ defense stood toe to toe with many of Iowa’s most explosive offenses this season and were able to hold them all well below their season averages. After taking a look at Will Neuharth’s film and recognizing his skill set it is easy to realize that he is an underrated player on what is a densely talented team. His highlights show that he is someone his team trusts in key situations and the way he executes validates that. Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley was threatening at the Cyclones’ 11 yard line in the state championship game. They came out in Trips Left; Neuharth covered the single receiver side in the boundary. Harlan blitzed their Outside Linebacker knowing it would leave Neuharth on an island. Neuharth played it perfectly by keeping his opponent in front of him and breaking once the ball was in the air. He went up and over the intended target to grab a huge interception. Neuharth’s coverage skills are exemplary and he has shown that he is fearless when given chances to stick his nose in there against runs and screens. Julian Perez-Hall, OL, Burlington, C/O 2023, 6’1 235, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GVhSb">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/jph54220">Twitter</a> You don’t produce one of the state’s five 2,000 yard rushers without having some exceptional blocking up front. That is exactly what the Grayhounds were able to manufacture for their Running Back this fall as they kept the ball on the ground 90% of the time and there wasn’t much opposing defenses could do to slow it down. Julian Perez-Hall was a big asset up front for Burlington at Center. His ability to get movement on Defensive Tackles independently, climb to Linebackers, and steer once locked on no matter who he is responsible for blocking is difference making. Many Centers in high school rely on help from their Guards, but Perez-Hall can get the job done by himself and that gives additional flexibility to how his team attacks up front. What impresses most about his technique and what enables him to be so successful, especially in close quarters, is how he keeps his hips underneath him and keeps his weight stacked as he snaps the ball. Perez-Hall is balanced as he gets his first steps in the ground, which makes things difficult for opponents. Caden Sykes, WR, Bondurant-Farrar, C/O 2025, 6’0 160, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GCWyB">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/CadenSykes48">Twitter</a> Bondurant-Farrar has a lot of elite talent coming back and some more coming up. One of those players coming up that could give the Bluejays even more depth and versatility is Caden Sykes. He really stood out from the crowd as a Freshman hauling in 25 receptions for 686 yards and 14 touchdowns. Something that Sykes could come in and add to the Varsity equation is his ability to make explosive plays. Sykes put game speed on display that you can tell is ready for a more competitive setting. He appears to have well-developed technique off the line, especially when coverage is pressed up, that helps him get behind defenders and take the top off a defense. Sykes does a noticeably good job on several occasions on film of getting defenders to open up the wrong way as he is closing in on them and making a subtle cut the other way as he passes. Sykes is just as good at slamming on the brakes when coverage is backed off to make catches underneath. From there the aforementioned game speed takes over and he can turn dink and dunk throws into big gains.