’23 Preseason Super 7 – 2A Receivers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/06/23-preseason-super-7-5a-receivers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">5A Receivers</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/06/23-preseason-super-7-class-4a-receivers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">4A Receivers</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/06/23-preseason-super-7-class-3a-receivers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">3A Receivers</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/06/23-preseason-super-7-8-player-quarterbacks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'23 Preseason Super 7 QBs</a>&nbsp;(scroll down)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/06/23-preseason-super-7-8-player-running-backs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'23 Preseason Super 7 RBs</a>&nbsp;(scroll down)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>IOWA CITY, Iowa –&nbsp;</strong>July arrives this weekend, drawing closer the start of the high school football season. And we all know times flies.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've been highlighting top performers from last season returning in 2023. You can see the links for quarterbacks and running backs in all seven of the state's classifications listed above.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wide receivers are next up. Here's a look at 2A:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='573617' first='Reece' last='Vander Zee'], '24, Central Lyon/George-Little Rock - </strong>Vander Zee (6-5, 190) was the most sought-after receiver in the state's senior class, recently choosing the University of Iowa ahead of offers from Iowa State, Nebraska and others. He caught 32 passes for 768 yards (24.0 YPC) and 10 touchdowns in helping the Lions win a state title. His<strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14376055/637faadb478d6604f44cc34d" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> junior highlights</a></strong> reveal a high-level athlete with potential to be a very good college receiver. He already overwhelms opponents on this level with a solid skill set and good technique. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Derek Weisskopf, '24, Williamsburg - </strong>Another Hawkeye commitment, Weisskopf (6-3, 210) is expected to start out playing defense in college. Be that as it may, he's one of the class's top receivers as well. He caught 37 passes for 628 yards and 12 touchdowns last season in leading the Raiders to the state championship game. On defense, he posted 43 solo tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss, and intercepted six balls. Watching his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15426397/638e9ea86e8b7b0b88224764" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong>, you quickly see why he ranks among the state's top players. He appears to be everywhere on both sides of the ball. The athleticism is off the charts. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jesus Vega, '24, Clarke - </strong>Vega (6-2, 165) shows during his<strong> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11882041/638d033df31cf20aa8e3cfa7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong> why he'll be at the top of opponent scouting reports in '23. He quickly gets into his routes and runs them smoothly. He's capable of securing difficult receptions with his athleticism and body control. His 28 catches for 623 yards (22.3 YPC) and 9 touchdowns illustrate his big-play ability. He added 72 yards and a pair of scores on 10 rushes. On defense, he intercepted two passes, one of which he returned to the house. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='922642' first='Peyton' last='Schilling'], '24, Monticello - </strong>Schilling (6-0, 175) secured 27 receptions for 535 yards (19.8 YPC) and 7 touchdowns last season on a team that boasted the class's top-producing receiver in senior Tate Petersen. Schilling added 9 solo tackles and an interception on defense. He should have more balls directed his way in '23. You can see big-play skills when watching his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14879951/6441f670664cf310fcac6763" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong>. He tracks the ball well and hauls in passes under duress. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Grant Gray, '25, Northeast - </strong>The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Gray enjoyed a strong sophomore season in '22, when he caught 27 passes for 481 yards (17.8 YPC) and 5 touchdowns. He added 324 yards and three scores on the ground, and piled up 58 solo tackles and 5.5 stops for loss. He also returned a kick for a touchdown. During his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16292200/632bc5864df5e104e4de68de" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong>, you witness a guy playing fast on both sides of the ball. He moves very well sideline to sideline and plays with physicality on defense. He's a versatile weapon on offense, one capable of delivering eye-opening plays. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Josh Wiersema, '24, Camanche - </strong>Wiersema (6-0, 170) earned first-team all-district as a defensive back in '22, but also shined as a receiver. He caught 28 passes for 409 yards and 4 touchdowns. Defensively, he contributed 35.0 tackles (32 solo)and two interceptions. He averaged 21.5 yards on 15 kick returns and housed one of them. The first clips on his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15079592/63fa9e7c1600c70cd0d06b75" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong> show the kick-return score followed by four contested receptions that required good athleticism, strength and tracking ability. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1705174' first='Tyce' last='Larson'], '26, Jesup - </strong>Larson (5-10, 165) announced his arrival as a freshman last fall. He reeled in 21 balls for 320 yards (15.2 YPC) and 2 touchdowns. You see advanced route running for a ninth-grader while viewing <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16530444/6354231b96811803d037afbf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">his '22 highlights</a></strong>. He can deliver in contested situations, shows toughness after the catch and can stretch the field. He also stands out in the secondary on his defensive highlights. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->