ATTN: College Coaches – ’24s with Next-Level Game – Part V
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’24s with Next-Level Game – Part I ’24s with Next-Level Game – Part II ’24s with Next-Level Game – Part III ’24s with Next-Level Game – Part IV IOWA CITY, Iowa – Iowa is becoming more fertile ground for college prospects…
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Continue ReadingIOWA CITY, Iowa – Iowa is becoming more fertile ground for college prospects with each passing year. It’s growing at a rate I didn’t see coming when I started covering preps in the state during the 1997 season.
Still, schools hesitate offering scholarships to some recruits. It could be that they’re flying under the radar, coaches may want to see them at junior days or camps, they speculate that a bigger program might swoop in for the player or a variety of other reasons.
The Class of 2024 guys listed below I saw in person this season or watched highlights and asked around. They should be getting more attention, and it could be coming soon:
Sam Kueter Sam Kueter 6'2" | 190 lbs | DL Iowa City High | 2024 State IA , DE, Iowa City High
Kueter is overshadowed at times on a talented City High roster, including by his older brother, Ben Kueter Ben Kueter 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB Iowa City High | 2023 State IA , but he’s a strong player in his own right. Sam boasts good length and strength at 6-foot-4, 200 pounds. He could add mass to his frame without losing much, if any, quickness and athleticism off of the edge. He racked up 28.5 tackles (21 solo) with 11.5 stops for loss and four sacks as a junior. He added a 28-yard Pick-6, recovered a fumble and caught two passes for 23 yards and a touchdown as a tight end.
Ashton Honore, LB, Iowa City West
The son of former all-state and Iowa Hawkeye running back Carlos Honore, Ashton Honore (6-0, 210) plays with the same intensity and high motor as did his father. While I think Ashton is a solid running back prospect, I also see him as a play-making linebacker at the next level. What he lacks in size at that position, he makes up for with a keen understanding of the game and excellent fundamentals. He carried the ball 21 times for 144 yards (6.9 YPC) and a score in ’22. He racked up 66.5 tackles (46 solo) and an outstanding 27.0 stops for loss. He added 7.5 sacks and two fumbles recoveries.
Dante Hedrington Dante Hedrington 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Atlantic | 2024 IA , RB, Atlantic
Hedrington (5-9, 170) isn’t the biggest back in the world, but he maximizes his size with a solid, all-around skill set and big-play ability. He rushed 131 times for 606 yards and four touchdowns as a junior. He added five receptions for 32 yards. Those statistics won’t jump off the page at you, but if you watch the film you see a next-level player just scratching the surface of his potential. He’s already a viable change-of-pace back for a college with a chance to be more.
Apollo Payne, WR, Cedar Rapids Prairie
Payne’s season kind of flew under the radar, but it should have turned some heads for those folks paying attention. At 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, he combines desirable size with an advanced skill set on the outside. He shows good hands and runs precise routes. He high-points the ball well and regularly wins the 50-50 balls. He caught 35 passes for 476 yards and four touchdowns in ’22. He returned five kicks for 77 yards.
Mason Knipp Mason Knipp 6'2" | 215 lbs | DL Columbus Catholic | 2024 IA , OL/DL, Waterloo Columbus
Like a lot of Class 1A players, Knipp (6-3, 245) can be overlooked at times. He shouldn’t be. He would stand out in whatever class he played. In 1A, he dominated this fall. He stacked up 93.5 tackles, including an incredible 76 solo stops and 28.5 for loss. He added 4.0 sacks and a fumble recovery while also dishing out pancakes on Columbus’ offensive front. I see Knipp as a prospect on both sides of the ball. That versatility raises his stock in my eyes.
Logan Wright, OL/DL, West Branch
This kid jumped out to me the first time I saw him this season, and I was more impressed each time I watched him. He blends good size with athleticism, a highly-charged motor and an edge that makes opponents think twice about taking him on. Wright (6-2, 230) excels on both sides of the ball with his skill set and technical soundness. I like him on defense but could certainly make a case for him lining up on offense in college. He produced 36.0 tackles (21 solo) with 18.0 for loss and 6.0 sacks as a junior.
Brennen Blegen Brennen Blegen 6'3" | 270 lbs | OL Benton | 2024 State IA , OL/DL, Benton
Like everyone else on this list and the guys that proceeded it in this series, Blegen is deserving of more attention on the recruiting trail. Pop on the film, and it’s easy to see he’s a college football player in the future. At 6-foot-3, 275 pounds, the size is there. He’s not a statue. He moves well and shows off athleticism on both sides of the line. His feet are smooth and he knows how to use his hands. He overpowered opponents on the offensive line as a junior. Defensively, he totaled 56.0 tackles (44 solo) with 15.5 for loss and 4.5 sacks. He also recovered two fumbles.