’23 Preseason Super 7 – Class 3A 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-7-8-player-quarterbacks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'23 Preseason Super 7 QBs</a> (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> (scroll down) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>IOWA CITY, Iowa - </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 are seven guys in 3A:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='247962' first='Cade' last='Sears'], '24, Harlan - </strong>Sears (6-1, 180) proved to be an explosive play waiting to happen for the state champion Cyclones. He caught 46 balls for 973 yards (21.2 YPC) and 15 touchdowns in '22. He intercepted a pass, averaged 16.1 yards on seven kick returns and scored on one of his 17 punt returns (9.4 YPR). His <strong>junior highlights</strong> feature a receiver with a well-rounded skill set. He runs precise routes whether in the middle of the field or outside and can make defenders miss after bringing in a short pass. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Colton Rasmussen, '24, Atlantic - </strong>The 6-foot-4, 180-pound Rasmussen earned first-team all-state honors last fall after catching 38 passes for 762 yards (20.1 YPC) and 12 touchdowns. A standout basketball player as well, you can see that athleticism when watching his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14887095/63bc7ad14210590a60a4f684" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior football highlights</a></strong>. He employs it along with strong hands to win contested balls. He gets off the line fast and regularly runs by defensive backs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carter Meyer, '24, Maquoketa - </strong>Meyer (6-0, 150) played an important role within the Cardinal offense during '22. He caught 51 passes for 659 yards and seven touchdowns. He also completed 7 of 9 throws for 62 yards and a score. On defense, he produced 12 solo tackles and an interception. He averaged 16.8 yards on four kick returns. His <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15680267/6355c2a096811803d03a8b8c" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong> display a nimble athlete capable of making plays from the slot. He chews up yards in the middle of the field with quick bursts and the ability to make defenders whiff. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Evan Brase, '24, Mount Vernon - </strong>The Mustangs reached the state championship game in part because of Brase's exploits on both sides of the ball. The 6-foot-4, 195-pounder posted 48 catches for 640 yards and six touchdowns. On defense, he racked up 8.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. His athleticism jumps off of his <strong>junior highlights</strong>. He has really good body control in the air and finishes plays with strong hands. He seems to surprise defensive backs with his speed, which they probably don't expect with his frame. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156578' first='Diego' last='Garcia'], '24, Keokuk - </strong>Garcia (6-1, 165) enjoyed a strong junior season in '22. His 41 receptions, 624 receiving yards and eight touchdown catches all were tops on his team. On defense, he recorded 26.0 tackles (13 solo, .5 for loss), intercepted two passes and returned a recovered fumble 22 yards. His high aptitude for tracking the ball and going to get it in the air stand out as impressive traits when watching his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14862436/6334ffec4210360dfc2ff2c3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong>. He also sets up his defenders with pre-snap reads based on their alignment. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='252312' first='Brady' last='Kurt'], '25, Independence - </strong>Kurt (6-0, 160) caught 31 passes for 549 yards (17.7 YPC) and six touchdowns as a sophomore last fall. He contributed 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks on defense. He doesn't have his sophomore highlights posted on his Hudl page but there are <strong>highlights from his ninth-grade season</strong>. He looked advanced compared to the players attempting to defend him. He consistently won 50-50 balls with superior jumping ability and strong hands. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='320765' first='Cael' last='Turner'], '24, Creston - </strong>Turner (5-11, 150) paced the Panthers in receptions (34), receiving yards (532) and touchdown catches (4) last year. He recorded 32.0 tackles (26 solo) with one resulting in lost yardage. He intercepted five passes, returning one for a score. He shows excellent instincts in diagnosing plays on defense. Offensively on his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13451245/635891374debd01204bada04" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong>, you see a receiver that gets in and out of his breaks quickly. He seems to enjoy physical play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->