Spotlighting 5 Overlooked Players C/O 2025
As we look at the players who stood out last season and where they ranked in the Iowa 2025 rankings, several players outshined their ranking with phenomenal seasons. While diving into the film, five of them will definitely be rising…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingAs we look at the players who stood out last season and where they ranked in the Iowa 2025 rankings, several players outshined their ranking with phenomenal seasons. While diving into the film, five of them will definitely be rising up the rankings this offseason, and with another strong season, the future is bright for these players.
With multiple different sets of skills, these five players are destined to be climbing the Iowa 2025 rankings and are poised for another big year. Let’s dive into why these players are garnering more attention this offseason.
Braylon Evans
Braylon Evans
Evans is a mammoth defensive lineman who possesses tremendous strength and athleticism throughout his game. At 6-foot-5 and 280 pounds, he moves extremely well and plays mainly as an edge rusher who rushes from a two- or three-point stance. Evans is wildly explosive out of his stance, immediately firing through gaps and eating up run plays toward his side of the field. For a big man, he can get skinny, slipping through running lanes and plugging holes. Evans is relentless in his pursuit, showing off good speed for his size, tracking down those quick running backs in the open field. Evans uses his hands throughout his pass rush, shedding blockers and making plays in the backfield.
Sanders is a blast to watch on film. He’s a taller back with long strides that eat up dirt, getting him to top speed quickly with the top-end speed that can leave defenders in the dust. Sanders can take contact from anyone, bouncing off of hits and remaining balanced. He’ll pick up the dirty yards or hit the home run. Sanders can shake defenders with sharp cuts when he gets in the open space, using his vision to find running lanes before turning on the burners. Expect him to be featured throughout the entire year next season, and with another big season, Sanders will be climbing the running back ranks.
Highlights
Lukis Beroth
Lukis Beroth
Beroth played mainly right tackle last season, proving to be a tremendous pass blocker. He has great footwork in his pass sets, quickly getting out of his stance with a phenomenal kick slide. Beroth’s feet and hands work simultaneously together, allowing him to mirror defenders, reset based on the edge rusher’s plan, and use his strength to control the rep. He plays with phenomenal leverage, dislodging defenders from their attack, creating space for his running back and protection for his quarterback. Beroth is solid as a run blocker, with several pancake blocks throughout his film. His strength, overall technique, and athleticism make him a dominating offensive lineman who could greatly impact his team next season.
Caden Henkes
Caden Henkes
Mainly deployed as a running back, Henkes has an exceptional ability in many different areas of the game. Running the ball, he has tremendous speed and phenomenal vision. He understands when to bounce plays outside or when to bang it up the middle. With his size, Henkes takes contact well, lowering his shoulder and delivering the initial impact. When he has to bounce the play to the edge, he waits patiently for his blocks to set up, sticks his foot in the dirt, and explodes upfield. Henkes has a bit of shiftiness to his game, shaking defenders and running through arm tackles, then getting to top speed and leaving defenders to try and run him down. As a receiver, Henkes has natural hands and tracks the ball well while it’s in the air. With another year of development, he will be one of the fastest risers in the running back rankings.
Nathanael Kline
Nathanael Kline
As a free safety, Kline is excellent at reading the quarterback, exploding out of his backpedal and firing on the receiver to make a play on the ball. He has smooth footwork in his backpedal with minimal false steps out of his break. At the catch point, Kline is physical, playing through the hands of the receiver or making a strong hit to create contested catches. Having experience as a wide receiver, he has natural hands with the ability to high-point the football and catch passes outside his frame. Kline has tremendous instincts, reading plays before they get going and causing confusion for quarterbacks. He has the size, speed, and football IQ to play as a high-level free safety.