Hidden Gems in the 2025 Class

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's an incredibly important time for the 2025 class. College coaches are reviewing their film. Prospects are hitting up junior days. It's go time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a strong group with Clear Creek Amana's [player_tooltip player_id='252329' first='Brody' last='Clubb'], [player_tooltip player_id='252328' first='Joey' last='VanWetzinga'] from Pleasant Valley and Clear Lake's [player_tooltip player_id='847937' first='Thomas' last='Meyer'] leading our current Iowa rankings. It extends deeper than just the headliners, however. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at current 11th-graders that should be receiving more attention on the recruiting trail: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":1077791,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Brent Yonkovic","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"190","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"West Delaware","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Where Yonkovic lines up in college is up for debate. What's not debatable is his ability to make it at the next level. I saw him compete against Solon in person this past season. That convinced me. He plays the game with a toughness, whether behind center at quarterback or in the defensive backfield. He ranked among the top performers in his class with 25 rushing touchdowns in '23. Yonkovic is a quick-twitch athlete with a high football IQ. That's an attractive combination. He possesses the skill set to make it as a defensive back or possibly as a receiver in college.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1129677' first='Dallas' last='Miller'] ","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_weight":"160","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Liberty ","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Not having prototypical size for a wideout might give scouts pause when it comes to Miller but overlooking him would be a mistake. He's a big play waiting to happen with the ball in his hands. He's an advanced route runner with impressive acceleration and an ability to make defenders miss in the open field. Miller could help plenty of colleges working from the slot. As an added bonus, he can deliver as a return man. As a junior, he hauled in 60 passes for 804 yards and 12 touchdowns.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='252312' first='Brady' last='Kurt'] ","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2025 ","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_weight":"181","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Independence ","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"The first three plays on Kurt's u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16482400/655bee7c02bc3812a00fe1d0u0022u003ejunior highlight videou003c/au003e reveal the potential that should be receiving more attention in recruiting. They include scoring plays on offense and defense along with him blocking a punt. Kurt displays athleticism and a good feel for the game no matter where he lines up. That versatility should open plenty of doors for him as a prospect. He could work as a hybrid defender on the second and third levels. Kurt also runs good routes with solid straight-line speed that make receiver an option down the road. He caught 61 passes for 843 yards and eight TDs as a junior. He recorded 37.0 tackles (29 solo, 6.0 for loss) with 3.0 sacks and a Pick-6 on defense.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Jackson Wacha","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_weight":"205","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Ballard ","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Wacha produced last fall, no question about that. He racked up 112.0 tackles (86 solo, 13.5 for loss) with 6.5 sacks and six forced fumbles. When watching his u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16659533/654c75378cd4770438637ddeu0022u003ejunior highlightsu003c/au003e, you witness an agile defender that can succeed with speed or with the physicality to get off of blocks. He's good in pursuit of the ball while also understanding the importance of setting the edge. His frame appears capable of adding good weight and strength, opening up the possibility of him playing rush end if he grows out of the linebacker position.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1278796' first='Cooper' last='Buffington'] ","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2025 ","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_weight":"220","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Winfield-Mount Union ","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"The younger brother of Iowa Hawkeye 2024 linebacker signee, [player_tooltip player_id='156461' first='Cam' last='Buffington'], Cooper is a darn good football player in his own right. Although it's sometimes more difficult for college scouts to evaluate eight-player prospects, you can tell during his u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13568414/656544553dec2b103c989effu0022u003ejunior highlightsu003c/au003e that he's fully capable of competing at the next level. He utilizes an impressive combination of speed and power already with a frame that will develop more once in a college strength program. A future on the offensive line also isn't out of the question. He registered 44.0 tackles (34 solo, 19.0 for loss) with 11.5 sacks in '23.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"Sam Christensen ","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_5_player_details_weight":"270","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"Central Lyon/George-Little Rock ","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_5_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Christensen has been overshadowed on a talented roster during the last few seasons. Hopefully college programs dig deeper and watch hisu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15628099/656cb21af55f8b0d2cf627a5u0022u003e junior highlightsu003c/au003e. He plays with an edge and through the whistle, showing that he loves the game's physicality. He moves well, allowing him to get out in space and pick off defenders. His hands are strong and violent, and he plays with good leverage. He operated at right guard this past season but there's a starter kit for center at the next level, too. Christensen is one of my favorite under-the-radar prospects in the state.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["1096164"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Smith's u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/16072216/Kailer-Smith/highlightsu0022u003ejunior highlightsu003c/au003e are intriguing when you combine them with his physical projection at the position. He's listed at 6-6, 225 already and is a fluid athlete. I like his versatility in playing the position. He already shows a high aptitude and a willingness as a blocker that you don't always see at the prep level. He delivers blows whether lining up as an H-Back or in-line. He wasn't a big part of the Tigers' passing game as a junior, but clips show him getting off the line quickly and displaying good hands when given the opportunity.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65b8111824116"} /-->