ATTN: College Coaches – ’24s with Next-Level Game – Part XI
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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:
– Keegan Nystrom Keegan Nystrom 6'4" | 220 lbs | TE Waterloo West | 2024 IA , DL/OL, Waterloo West – Nystrom (6-4, 235) boasts an intriguing starter kit with strengths that can’t be taught. He moves well for a big kid and shows athleticism. He generates burst and physicality in small space, and fires off of the snap. He’s already disruptive. If he can maintain the quickness and athleticism while adding bulk, his ceiling is high.
-Augustine Sleh, LB, Des Moines North – Sleh (6-3, 200) excels most from a stand-up edge position but also displays enough versatility to move around the first two levels of the defense. That includes playing with a hand in the dirt. He closes really well to the ball and wraps up on arrival. The frame looks like it can comfortably add bulk and he already can overpower opponents with strength and good hand placement.
-Mitchell Maher, OL, Central DeWitt – Maher (6-5, 245) is a big kid with a lot of potential. He overpowers opponents, getting off the ball quick and moving smoothly. He certainly plays with an edge and through the whistle. He keeps his hands inside and drives with his legs. In the limited amount of pass-pro clips on the film, he shows good balance with a quick set-up and solid foundation.
– Drew Campbell Drew Campbell 6'4" | 225 lbs | DL Cedar Falls | 2024 State IA , DE, Cedar Falls – The younger brother of former Iowa all-American linebacker Jack Campbell, Drew shares traits with his brother but also a uniqueness in his game. I thought Jack might end up at LEO linebacker with the Hawkeyes when watching him in high school. He ran and covered really well. I didn’t seem him filling out the way he did. Drew already plays with physicality and burst in tight space. He’s athletic and also has a high football IQ. It’s surprising he only reports three Power 5 scholarship offers (Iowa, Iowa State and Kansas State), but perhaps other programs believe he’ll follow in his brother’s footsteps. Rivals ranks Drew as the No. 11 player in the state for ’24 and 247Sports doesn’t rate him. It’s a strong class in Iowa, but Drew Campbell Drew Campbell 6'4" | 225 lbs | DL Cedar Falls | 2024 State IA belongs in the conversation with the best in the cycle.
– Karson Elwood Karson Elwood 6'2" Treynor | 2024 IA , WR/DB, Treynor – Elwood (6-2, 175) hauled in 49 passes for 742 yards and eight scores as a junior last Fall for the Cardinals. He also picked off two passes on defense, returned 17 kicks for 299 yards and nine punts for 179 yards and two touchdowns. He’s tall with long arms and good hands. He runs strong routes and shows he can separate from defenders on film. He makes people miss in space and accelerates quickly. He breaks tackles with strength as well.
-Lual “Lu” Maker, WR, Lewis Central – Maker (6-6, 180) hauled in 18 balls for 376 yards (20.9 YPC) and three touchdowns for a loaded Titan outfit that reached the Class 4A state title game. He shows an ability and willingness to make plays across the middle of the field. The routes are sharp and the hands are soft. The height and length are huge assets. He runs well and breaks tackles. It will be interesting to see how he develops physically. It’s probably receiver but I wouldn’t rule out tight end.
– Isaiah Favors Isaiah Favors 6'0" | 190 lbs | RB Bishop Heelan | 2024 State IA , RB/DB/LB, Heelan – Favors (6-0, 185) paced the Crusaders with 704 rushing yards (6.5 YPC) in ’22. He also posted 27.5 tackles (16 solo, 1.5 for loss) with a pick. He returned seven kicks for 123 yards. The offensive film impresses with him showing a good combination of vision, cutting ability, burst and strength. That athleticism and quickness also plays on defense, where he does a nice job diagnosing plays, closing and wrapping.