ATTN: College Coaches – ’24s with Next-Level Game – Part VII
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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:
Cole Marsh, QB, Waverly-Shell Rock – The 6-foot-5, 205-pound signal caller brings the requisite size and athleticism to the position. He threw for 10 touchdowns and ran for three more for a team that relied heavily on its rushing attack (3,264 ground yards). Watching his film, Marsh serves as a lead blocker on some running plays, illustrating his toughness and potential for playing other positions at the next level. He lists tight end as his position on his Hudl highlights, and I can see it. He’s enjoying a strong junior season in basketball, averaging 14.4 points and a team-high 7.6 rebounds for the Class 3A 10th-ranked Go-Hawks.
Abram Edwards, TE/DE, Winfield-Mount Union – The son of former Iowa State basketball standout Klay Edwards, Abram Edwards (6-5, 215) possesses his father’s athleticism, which shines through on the gridiron. As a junior, he rushed for 339 yards and nine touchdowns, caught 31 passes for 392 yards and four scores, and added 13 two-point conversions. In basketball this season, he’s averaging 10.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists. Abram visited Iowa, Iowa State, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Northern Illinois, North Dakota and North Dakota State football this past season. He camped with Iowa, Iowa State, Nebraska and Missouri last summer.
Trenton Smith Trenton Smith 6'2" | 205 lbs | QB Ankeny Centennial | 2024 State IA , QB, Ankeny Centennial – Smith (6-1, 190) has steadily improved as a quarterback during his three years starting, the first two campaigns coming at Ames High. He’s on the radar of numerous colleges and could haul in some offers with a strong camp circuit this coming summer. He completed 67.3 percent of his passes for 1,319 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior. He’s not asked to run a lot, but he can and does a nice job extending plays and throwing on the move.
Carson Bruhn Carson Bruhn 6'5" | 210 lbs | TE Sioux Center | 2024 State IA , TE/DE, Sioux Center – Bruhn (6-6, 235) could project on either side of the ball at the next level. He’s possesses the size and athleticism to dream on. There’s plenty of room before he hits his ceiling. Playing with two different quarterbacks this season, he caught nine passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, he produced 5.0 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. A good all-around athlete, Bruhn is averaging 8.0 points and 5.8 rebounds in basketball this season.
Braden McShane, ATH, New Hampton – A solid athlete with size, there’s a lot to like when watching McShane (6-2, 205). He rushed for 1,733 yards (6.8 YPC) and 22 touchdowns as a junior. He caught 13 passes for 138 yards and a score, and added five two-point conversions. On defense, he produced 5.0 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks. He recovered four fumbles and picked off three passes. McShane also stands out in wrestling. He ran his school’s best time in the 200 meters during track last spring, and posted the second fastest times in the 100 and 400. I could see him playing defensive back in college.
Carson Robbins, WR, Southeast Polk – The junior pass catcher flies under the radar for the two-time defending state champion Rams. He shouldn’t. He belongs right there with the rest of the talent on the roster and should be in line for big things in ’23. I would expect him to turn heads on the camp circuit this summer. He paced his squad in receiving yards (743) and touchdowns (6) this past fall, averaging 19.1 yards per catch. He averaged 27.0 yards on 12 kick returns and 18.4 on seven punt returns. He’s also a member of the varsity basketball team. Iowa Football played host to him on a visit this season.
Graham Eben Graham Eben 6'1" | 195 lbs | RB Central Lyon Rock Rapids | 2024 State IA , ATH, Central Lyon – Eben was a key player in the Lions’ run to the state championship this past fall. He rushed for 1,330 yards (8.1 YPC) and 19 touchdowns, and caught 10 passes for 159 yards. He produced 2.5 tackles for loss and a team-high four interceptions on defense. He’s a really good athlete who could end up on either side of the ball at the next level. And he’s tough. He played in the state championship game six days after breaking his arm. He’s visited Iowa, Iowa State, South Dakota and Kansas State Football, and is hearing from North Dakota State, North Dakota and others.