’23 Preseason Super 7 – Class 1A Tight Ends

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/06/23-preseason-super-7-class-5a-tight-ends/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">5A Tight Ends</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/23-preseason-super-7-class-4a-tight-ends/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">4A Tight Ends</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/23-preseason-super-7-class-3a-tight-ends/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">3A Tight Ends</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/23-preseason-super-7-class-2a-tight-ends/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2A Tight Ends</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><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/06/23-preseason-super-7-8-player-receivers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'23 Preseason Super 7 WRs (scroll down</a>)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>IOWA CITY, Iowa – </strong>We've reached July. A new high school football season is right around the corner. It will be here before we know it. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To help get us prepared, we're listing seven top players returning at each position in all seven classes. You can read about the quarterbacks, running backs and receivers as the links above.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're continuing on at tight end. Next up is Class 1A:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156638' first='Trevor' last='Veenstra'], '24, Pella Christian - </strong>At 6-foot-4, 250 pounds, Veenstra casts a large shadow. The first clip on his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15017509/63a652074205b80f1c18c4c7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlight package</a></strong> shows him blocking. He does that really well. The second clip illustrates his agility and skills as a receiver. In the third clip, he sacks the quarterback. He caught 19 passes for 445 yards (23.4 YPR) and seven touchdowns last season. He piled up 35 solo tackles, 17.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks. He served as the Eagles' punter and won a state discus title in May as well. He should be getting more run in recruiting. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dayson Leerhoff, '24, Pleasantville - </strong>Leerhoff (6-4, 205) hauled in 24 balls for 400 yards (16.7 YPR) and five touchdowns with three two-point conversions as a junior in '22. He added 23 solo tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, and blocked a punt. During his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11785610/63405ee91761e60918fc9e7c" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong>, we see a problem for opponents in the passing game. He runs well and creates mismatches. He shows fluidity whether setting up in-line or lining up wide. He's also intriguing on defense, showing good instincts and understanding of responsibilities. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Trenton Schutte, '24, West Branch - </strong>The 6-foot, 185-pound Schutte is a reliable two-way player. I like that his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14599584/63ee7f813df51807c4449d32" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong> feature his versatility early on. He shines as a physical defender, shows athleticism as a receiver, and is a willing and able blocker. He's not the biggest guy in the world, but he's well coached and technically sound. On a deep Bear offense, he secured 23 receptions for 268 yards and a touchdown as a junior last year. He contributed 9 solo tackles and a pair of tackles for loss. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='252313' first='Kolton' last='Koopmans'], '25, West Sioux - </strong>Koopmans (6-2, 195) includes a nice mix of clips at the front of his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13541611/637d31378cd42211f8ef7c9d" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sophomore highlights</a></strong> of '22. He disrupts as a defender and covers kickoffs with intense pursuit. As a tight end, he stands out as an athletic receiver with nice speed and sure hands. During the Falcons' run to the state title game, Koopmans posted 19 catches for 206 yards and three touchdowns to go with three rushes for 15 yards. Defensively, he contributed 24 solo tackles, eight tackles for loss and a sack. He returned three kicks for 40 yards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kade McElwaine, '24, MFL-MarMac - </strong>At 6-foot, 185 pounds, McElwaine went crazy on defense in '22. He piled up 108.5 tackles (70 solo, 21.0 for loss) and 3.5 sacks. He helped out a potent Bulldog offense as well, catching seven passes for 156 yards and a touchdown. Athleticism and toughness pop off of his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14199920/63817d1d0dc1910d743bbaa7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong>. He gets loose for a long reception on the first clip and houses it. It looks like he's playing a couple of speeds faster than everybody else on defense, too. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156619' first='Kale' last='Rockhold'], '24, Central Decatur - </strong>Rockhold (6-0, 195) gained 266 yards and score three touchdowns on 24 catches last fall. He racked up 41 solo tackles, 12.0 stops for loss and 6.5 sacks. He intercepted a pass, recovered two fumbles and handled the team's place-kicking duties. I'd love to see some video of his exploits. Unfortunately, his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14802174/Kale-Rockhold/highlights" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl page</a></strong> is empty. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1418742' first='Cade' last='Souhrada'], '25, Wilton - </strong>Another productive player in '22, like Rockhold, <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16670614/Cade-Souhrada/highlights" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Souhrada's Hudl</a></strong> is absent of video. We can't watch how he caught 18 passes for 248 yards and five touchdowns as a sophomore. We're not sure how he contributed a 45-yard Pick-6 or how he racked up 2.0 tackles for loss. Be that as it may, his statistics as a 10-grader point to a big junior campaign. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->