FIVE Rising Juniors to know
Ankeny (IA.)– Ankeny High wide receiver Evan Irlmeier (5-foot-10, 165 pounds) is a shifty and efficient receiver for the Hawks and is a Junior name to watch. The Hawks’ junior is an efficient and capable playmaker. He works well out…
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Continue ReadingAnkeny (IA.)– Ankeny High wide receiver Evan Irlmeier (5-foot-10, 165 pounds) is a shifty and efficient receiver for the Hawks and is a Junior name to watch.
The Hawks’ junior is an efficient and capable playmaker. He works well out of the slot against man and knows how to find the holes in zones. He is also a sure-handed player who shows consistent catching ability. Irlmeier is a slippery athlete who just knows how to create separation and catch in traffic. He was a vital part of an underrated Ankeny offense that found themselves playing in the state title. He finished with 53 receptions, 722 receiving yards, and 4 touchdowns on the season and was named First Team All-Conference.
Irlmeier discussed what he feels are his strengths and what he’s working on improving this offseason.
“I feel I have good hands and I just know how to play football. I can create separation and just come up big when I’m needed. I’d like to get faster as well, I’ve just been in the weight room since we got done. I’ve put on about 10 pounds and feel a lot stronger. My releases and route running are things I want to stand out. I’ll be doing a lot of skill work this offseason to make sure of that.”
Irlmeier was the second-leading receiver for the Ankeny offense but at times poised more of a threat due to his skillset. While he isn’t the biggest receiver it is safe to say he still isn’t easy to guard. He was their security blanket on third down who always came up big. The plays he made were always crucial and if not his play set up another big play. At the end of the regular season and playoffs, Irlmeir came up huge as he was consistently averaging 4 catches in the last four games. He posted a two-score game against Iowa City Liberty, against Centennial he had 8 receptions for 107 yards and a score and posted 7 receptions for 110 yards against Cedar Rapids Prairie.
Irlmeier discussed his motivation and love of the game.
“Football has just always been fun. I just love playing the game and going out there and making the effort to make the plays people count on me too. I would say my motivation is just to be the best I can be for the love of the game. I got my shot and earned a starting spot as a sophomore last year and was the second leading receiver with 30 catches for 412 and 6 TDs. So I just try and give my all every time I step on the field and want to be the best I can be. I also have to credit my teammates and coaches for consistently pushing me.”
The junior is a name to watch as the spring and summer start to roll. As camp season rolls around and schools start to focus on the class of 2025 they’ll notice the value of him once they turn on the film and/or see him compete.
Waukee (IA.)– Waukee running back Grant Gammell (5-foot-10, 180 pounds) is a do-it-all all type of back for the Warriors and is a Junior name to watch.
The Warriors’ running back is an explosive, tough, and consistent playmaker. He shows good bursts of speed, exceptional patience, and the ability to catch out the backfield. Gammell also can get physical when carrying the ball and in his pass-blocking ability. He is a downhill runner, who uses his one-cut ability to elude defenders. He finished the season with 175 carries, 1001 yards, and 13 touchdowns while earning First Team All-Conference.
Gammell discussed what he feels are his strengths and what he’s working on improving this offseason.
“I’m just a football player. I feel I can just go out there and make plays. I run hard and trust my blocks, and when it’s my turn to block I make sure I clear the way. There’s always room to get stronger of course but I’d like to get faster and just improve my quickness and athleticism overall. This offseason will be huge because I want my last year to be special.
Gammell is a balanced back who can do whatever is asked of him and more, he was perhaps the number 1 weapon on the Waukee offense. Gammell finished 12th in the state in the rushing yards and was also top 10 in rushing touchdowns. He proved to be one of the most efficient and reliable offensive weapons in class 5A. The junior back had 7 games where he rushed for 100 or more and had multiple games where he scored multiple touchdowns. A three-sport athlete, Gammell is also a wrestler and competes in track which you can see translates within his game.
Gammell praises his environment for his ability.
“It just goes back to how I’m pushed by the ones around me. My brothers always pushed me whether I liked it or not but I’m grateful they did what they did. My parents also just have looked out for me and I can’t thank them enough. I also have to say my teammates are huge too because they’ve changed the culture of our program and came together for this. It’s just about keeping things steady and in pace so everyone buys in.”
The junior is a name to watch as the spring and summer start to roll. As camp season rolls around and schools start to focus on the class of 2025 they’ll notice the value of him once they turn on the film and/or see him compete.
Waukee (IA.)– Waukee Defensive back Carter Johnson (6-foot-4, 202 pounds) is a hybrid defender for the Warriors and is a Junior name to watch.
When you see Johnson out there, the first thing you notice is his size. As the deep safety he was very efficient when it was his time to make a play . He is a instinctive playmaking defender who knows how to use his range. Another thing people need to take note of is his willingness to run the alley and come in like a missle. Johnson finished the season with 40.5 (29 solo) tackles, 3 interceptions and 13 pass break ups and was elected Second Team All Conference.
Johnson discusses what motivates him.
“It starts with my coaches. My coaches really put a vision in my head of how I can be a great football player for Waukee. Secondly, the guys before me that I got to learn from and them taking me under their wing and letting me learn from them. Lastly, I am really motivated by my love for the game. I want to be one of the best safeties to ever play at Waukee and I have 1 more year to prove that I am that.”
The warriors’ safety shows a lot of potential, he has the size and athleticism to play either safety spot. The ball skills, along with anticipation he plays with is exceptional. He knows how to attack a ball in the air and shows he knows how to bait QBs. When you watch him you can’t penalize him for breaking up passes but you also can’t ignore the fact he reads the play so well it very well could’ve been a turnover. For how big he is, he can cover well and really uses his length to his advantage. He was tied for first on his team in interceptions and was the 4th leading tackler on a tough Waukee defense. At the end of the day, Johnson can only get better and it’ll be a site to see once he does
Johnson talks about his strengths and what he’s working to improve this offseason.
“Some of my strengths are that I am a ball hawk, I can come down hill and hit you, and I am a great leader and communicator for my defense. Some of the things that I am working on getting better at is the eye discipline and get better at keeping my eyes on the man at all times until I am in phase to make a play on the ball.”
The junior is a name to watch as the spring and summer start to roll. As camp season rolls around and schools start to focus on the class of 2025 they’ll notice the value of him once they turn on the film and/or see him compete.
Ankeny (IA.) — Ankeny Centennial Defensive lineman Mitchell Grider (6-foot-1, 230 pounds) is disruptive brusier and a Junior name to watch.
Grider is a high ceiling prospect with a lot of potential because his numbers may not be eye popping but the film he shows is. He is a dominant run defender who literally stops guys in their tracks. An ideal 3 – tech, he can overpower the opposing lineman and use his athleticism to shed blocks while he’s in motion. Even when double teamed he still somehow finds a way to be involved in the play. Though his sack total wasn’t high, his pass rush ability is apparent and not at all poor. He generated more pressures than sacks but it’s how quick and powerful he is when getting to the QB that makes you take notice. Grider finished the season with 45.0 (18 solo) tackles, 3.0 sacks, 6.0 tfls and was elected First Team All conference.
Grider talks about what motivates him.
“My motivation comes from always wanting to get better on and off the field. I always want to be the best on the field and dominate when I’m playing. And I want to win a state title for centennial since my school still hasn’t won one.”
Grider has a motor that can’t be taught. Effort is what you notice when you watch him. There usually isn’t a time he isn’t running down the ballcarrier. He has the tenacity and skill to be a four down lineman weather you need to stop the run or rush the QB and he is quick with his hands easily decepting the guard and or center. I think he can play anywhere on the D-line as long as he has his hand in the dirt. It would be interesting to see him come off the edge, however the inside is where he belongs.
Grider talks about his strengths and what he’s working to improve this offseason.
“My strengths are my game awareness, where the ball is going, feeling double teams and blocks, my pass rush ability and moves, my hits, hand technique and extension off the ball reading the play, plugging up holes, my motor, running stunts, distrupting run and pass plays, controlling engagements, tracking people down, and my strength. I would say my speed and get off are what I’m focused on. Working heavily on that this off season.
The junior is a name to watch as the spring and summer start to roll. As camp season rolls around and schools start to focus on the class of 2025 they’ll notice the value of him once they turn on the film and/or see him compete.
Johnston (IA.) — Johnston ATH D’angelo Barkue (5-foot-9, 170 pounds) is a true athlete and also a Rising Junior name to watch.
Barkue is a tremendous two-way player and one of the few within 5A. Making plays at both safety and running back, the junior brings a lot of physicality for a smaller frame. As a safety he showed that he can run and mirror whoever’s in front of him but also come downhill and run the alley. Offensively, he is a very elusive utility back. He has good speed when hitting the edge and reads his blocks tremendously well when hitting the hole. Barkue posses game changing and play-making ability no matter where you line him up and he knows how to play football. He was a 1st Team All Conference selection.
Barkue discusses what motivates him.
“When I was younger first time going out for football 8th grade year and see that I got some talent in the sport and watching the older guys play them just made me wanna keep playing the game.”
Barkue doesn’t shy away from the fight, he often brings it.You can’t really measure the attitude and swag he plays with which is what sticks out. He’s not at all the biggest guy on the field but when yo see him hit someone or carry the ball you can’t miss it. There is a simple reason why Barkue plays both ways. On 140 carries he had 675 yards with 7 touchdowns, defensively he finished with 34.5 (29 solo) tackles. He also added 137 kick return yards. The production shows and is some of the best considering what he is asked to do.
Barkue talks about his strengths and what he’s working to improve this offseason.
“Just knowing how to play the game having great vision at running back and safety. I want to be a better ball hawk and tempo down hill. I want to make plays because a lot of guys at this position don’t like to hit. I would just say not getting in my head after a bad play. I want to fix that, be able to have short term memory.”
The junior is a name to watch as the spring and summer start to roll. As camp season rolls around and schools start to focus on the class of 2025 they’ll notice the value of him once they turn on the film and/or see him compete.