ATTN: College Coaches – ’24s with Next-Level Game – Part IX
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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 ’24s with Next-Level Game – Part V ’24s with Next-Level Game –…
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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:
Tate Lyon Tate Lyon 6'0" | 205 lbs | LB Pleasant Valley | 2024 State IA , LB, Pleasant Valley – At 6-0, 205 pounds, scouts might question Lyon’s projection on the next level. If they watch him perform, those doubts should be erased. Lyon diagnoses plays well from the second level and consistently gets off blocks. He’s a reliable tackler once he arrives, showing good strength and form. As a junior, he collected 57.5 tackles (35 solo, 2.0 for loss), the second most on his team. He also rushed 11 times for 101 yards as a running back.
Jace Borcherding Jace Borcherding 6'4" | 250 lbs | OL Cedar Rapids Xavier | 2024 State IA , IOL, Cedar Rapids Xavier – Borcherding (6-4, 245) helped the Saints capture the Class 4A state title as a key member of their offensive line. He was named the O-Line MVP of the championship game. The athletic junior displays solid technique. He fires off the ball with good leverage, strong footwork and violent hands, driving through opponents. There’s plenty of room before he hits his ceiling as well.
Caleb Garnand Caleb Garnand 6'1" | 175 lbs | WR Lawton-Bronson | 2024 State IA , ATH, Lawton-Bronson – A small-school product, Garnard displays a big-play game. He caught a school-record 62 passes for 714 yards and seven touchdowns in ’22. He recorded 31.0 tackles and an interception on defense. He’s a prospect on both sides of the ball. A lot of his yards come after the catch on short receptions where he gets into space and accelerates away from defenders. He has good hands, wins 50-50s and runs crisp routes.
Hunter Bowers Hunter Bowers 6'3" | 170 lbs | WR East Buchannan | 2024 State IA , TE, Winthrop East Buchanan – Bowers provides quarterbacks with a big target at 6-3, 180, and boasts a frame that could comfortably add weight at the next level. That’s not to say he would have to play in-line and not stay wide, but inside might be where he reaches the highest ceiling. He caught nine passes for 286 (31.8 YPC) and five touchdowns in ’22, showing his big play ability. He rushed 79 times for 1,098 yards and 11 scores.
Cason Stevenson Cason Stevenson 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Nevada | 2024 State IA , ATH, Nevada – The 5-10, 185-pound Stevenson provides offense for the Cubs but I could see him being attractive as a defense back as well because of his athleticism and speed. He rushed 221 times for 1,144 yards with nine touchdowns as a junior last Fall. He could also fit as a slot receiver in college as someone who changes direction and accelerates well with a toughness to go over the middle.
Kannon Bork Kannon Bork 6'2" | 215 lbs | TE Bishop Heelan Catholic | 2024 State IA , ATH, Sioux City Heelan – Another versatile performer in this latest installment of our next-level game series, Bork (6-2, 200) could find himself on either side of the ball in college. He shows potential as a tight end with 19 receptions for 183 yards and a touchdown as a junior. He’s also interesting on defense, where he racked up a pair of sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss in ’22. He’s a really good athlete with size, which can open a lot of doors.
Sam Watts Sam Watts 6'2" | 195 lbs | DL Linn-Mar | 2024 State IA , DL, Linn-Mar – Watts (6-3, 215) already offers good size with potential for growth. He’s a solid all-around athlete, finishing third at the state track meet in the shot put as a sophomore. He produced on the gridiron this Fall, too, leading the Lions with 6.0 sacks to go with 8.0 tackles for loss. He displays a nice combination of size and speed in Linn-Mar’s three-man front. He sheds blocks and flows well to the football. He shows a controlled burst through the line.