PRZ Iowa | New to the Scene | Part 10
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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…
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Continue ReadingAugust 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.
Beau Bush Beau Bush 6'3" | 210 lbs | QB Pella | 2023 IA , QB, Pella, C/O 2023, 6’2 200, hudl, Twitter
Lefty gunslinger Beau Bush Beau Bush 6'3" | 210 lbs | QB Pella | 2023 IA might be one of Iowa’s top breakout candidates and best kept secrets. He saw limited action for Pella Christian while waiting in the wings as a Junior, but after a transfer to Pella is primed to lead the Dutch offense in 2022. Bush, by all accounts and based on the film he has put together to this point, has special arm strength. He can throw routes and to spots of the field that the vast majority of high school Quarterbacks just can’t. It is intriguing to think about how he might be able to step in and infuse an offense that was competitive with some of the best teams in Pella’s classification last year, but came up a little short and will rely on a lot of new faces to keep moving forward. There is an absolutely ridiculous throw he made off his back foot on a vertical route. Pressure from inside gaps was closing in, but he stayed poised, found a target, and let it fly. The pass traveled at least 45 yards through the air and was right on target. Imagining that arm as it develops and is complimented by position specific mechanics is exciting for Pella football.
Brock Carpenter Brock Carpenter 6'0" | 170 lbs | ATH Western Dubuque | 2024 IA , WR, Western Dubuque, C/O 2024, 6’0 165, hudl, Twitter
The Bobcats look like they have a special player coming up in the form of Wide Receiver Brock Carpenter Brock Carpenter 6'0" | 170 lbs | ATH Western Dubuque | 2024 IA . He made highlight reel after highlight reel play a season ago and appears to be ready to take his abilities to the Varsity landscape. Expect Carpenter to be an emerging name this fall, especially in an offense that utilizes different 10 personnel sets. One of Carpenter’s touchdowns as a Sophomore came on a very well run slant as the Z out of Trips. The H broke outside on a Corner, Carpenter cut underneath, and he made them pay. The pass was a little overthrown and Carpenter had to redirect to haul it in; he got his body all the way around on the fly, stuck one hand out, and snatched the ball right out of the air. The catch was outstanding, but the route running was even more impressive. The way Carpenter timed his break, waited for his teammate to get into his route, and then adjusted once he saw the Safety took himself out of position was very impressive. What he did there strongly suggests he will know how to get open when his time comes on Friday nights.
Jj Layee Jj Layee 5'11" | 170 lbs | WR Waukee | 2024 State IA , DB, Waukee, C/O 2024, 5’11 170, hudl, Twitter
The Warriors will look to regroup this fall, just a year after the split, which no doubt was the cause of struggle as some veteran players headed to Northwest. A young player that can help the rebound is Sophomore Jj Layee Jj Layee 5'11" | 170 lbs | WR Waukee | 2024 State IA . The class of 2024 at Waukee is looking bright and what Layee can contribute as a play making Wide Receiver could give the explosive element they were lacking a little bit in 2021. The passing game was bleak and the offense averaged just 12 points per contest, but with a talented Quarterback and a rising star Running Back returning, Layee could very well become a name to know in an offense that suddenly looks to have some serious potential. Value he would instantly bring to the offense would be as someone who could spell carries and earn a lot of targets in the short passing game. He looks excellent on Jet Sweeps; he puts a foot in the ground and cuts it up at just the right time. The ability he’s shown on carries translates perfectly to how much he could threaten once in the open field taking short receptions and turning them into big plays.
Kade Mullins Kade Mullins 5'11" | 195 lbs | RB Martensdale-St.Mary's | 2024 IA , RB, Martensdale St Mary’s, C/O 2024, 5’11 200, hudl, Twitter
Mullins put the world of 8-player football on notice over the course of his Sophomore campaign as a powerful freight train of a Running Back who should be the Blue Devils work horse for the next couple years. He ran for 686 yards and 13 touchdowns on 136 carries; Mullins is a bull between the tackles, earns yards the hard way, and has more than enough speed if he reaches open field to gash opponents for big gains. One of Mullins’ scores last year was a highly impressive 67 yard scamper to the house. It was a simple Zone Lead on third and short that showcased just how much he can do whenever he touches the ball. Mullins picked up a big block to ensure a new set of downs, but the play looked like it was over there as he had two defenders wrapped up and clinging to him. He shoved one to the ground while managing to keep his knees driving and ran right through the other. With one man to beat he put the moves on near the sideline and juked his opponent out of his shoes. Expect Mullins to build on a successful year; his ability would thrive in any classification.
Jack Rheingans, DL, Dubuque Hempstead, C/O 2023, 6’4 210, hudl, Twitter
A player who saw some action as a Junior that should see a big rise in playing time, has ideal measurables, and plenty of athletic ability is Hempstead’s Junior Defensive End Jack Rheingans. Rheingans is quick to and physical at the point of attack. If he can learn how to get out of his stance hands first and separate as fast as possible, understanding that with his frame his length is his best friend, he could be eating up gaps and living in the backfield in 2022. Rheingans already does a nice job of staying square and fighting into pressure, which is half the battle. On one of his Varsity snaps from this season he did an excellent job launching out of his stance into what was an immediate double team from the Tackle and Tight End across from him. The explosiveness with which he moved knocked the Tackle back instantly and kept his opponents from being able to get hip to hip. He stepped into the space he created with his violent hands and split the two blockers. The play was run right at him and he disengaged cleanly to get to the ball a couple yards behind the line of scrimmage.