Plenty of Movement, Additions in ’26 Rankings Update

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After releasing our initial Class of <a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2027-rankings/">2027 rankings</a> last month, we got to work on updating the '26 Class. Tuesday, we <a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2026-rankings/">dropped that update</a>, which featured plenty of <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/04/april-rankings-update-who-moved-up-the-rankings-in-iowas-2026-class/">movement</a> and <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/04/april-rankings-update-who-was-added-to-our-iowa-2026-list/">new additions</a>. We run the rankings out to 195 student-athletes with a watch list after that. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Waterloo West offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1221926' first='Carson' last='Nielsen'] (6-7, 285) moved into the top spot on our '26 list. He earned a place on our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/11/prep-redzone-iowa-class-5a-all-state-teams/">5A all-state team</a> in the fall after a dominating sophomore season. He's already reported scholarship offers from Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas State, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Penn State, Tennessee and Wisconsin. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Checking in second on the update was West Des Moines Valley Athlete [player_tooltip player_id='283946' first='Jayden' last='McGregory'], who made a leap up the chart with a very sound 10th-grade year and plenty of physical growth. He's claimed offers from Iowa State, Kansas State, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and Tennessee just halfway through his high school career. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='856075' first='DreShaun' last='Ross'] from Fort Dodge sat third in the new ratings after a sizable step forward on the football field last season and another dominating campaign on the wrestling mat. Plenty of college wrestling programs have shown interest in him, and he's picked up football offers from Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas State, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Purdue and Wisconsin. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Waukee tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1221928' first='Evan' last='Jacobson'] also rose up the rankings into the No. 4 position. The younger brother of former Iowa State basketball player, Michael Jacobson, Evan showed a high aptitude for his sport in '23, catching the attention of scouts. Iowa State has offered a scholarship with programs like Iowa and Illinois played host to him for campus visits.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rounding out our Top 5 was West Des Moines Dowling Catholic defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='212328' first='Mason' last='Beaver'] (his brother, [player_tooltip player_id='212327' first='Isaac' last='Beaver'] was No. 7). Physically advanced for his grade, [player_tooltip player_id='212328' first='Mason' last='Beaver'] showed athleticism, a high motor and plenty of potential as a sophomore. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arriving at this new edition of the '26 rankings came with a lot of film review, some in-person scouting and more research. We took our time figuring out and working through where to slot guys.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That said, it's important to remember that rankings also can be divided up by tiers. There could be minimal difference between student-athletes separated by five or more places throughout the listing. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We'll also be updating these rankings again. Development is not linear and hard-workers emerge all of the time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our main objective is to identify as many student-athletes as possible in every class and get their names out there. Good players are everywhere. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One last note, there are lot more of you than us. We can't possibly evaluate all of you in person. That's why it's super important to post video highlights for the Prep Redzone Iowa crew and other scouts to watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bring your film to our attention if you'd like us to evaluate it. We're always scouring for new names with our mind at least partially tuned into our next rankings update. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->