Top Available Class of ’25 Prospects Part I
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Prep Red Zone Iowa has watched a lot of film on the Class of 2025 recently while working on a rankings update that should be released in the near future. Plenty of talented prospects in the cycle remained available to…
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Continue ReadingPrep Red Zone Iowa has watched a lot of film on the Class of 2025 recently while working on a rankings update that should be released in the near future. Plenty of talented prospects in the cycle remained available to colleges entering this first full week of May.
Here’s a fabulous five:
Mason Woods Mason Woods 6'2" | 195 lbs | ATH Iowa City West | 2025 State IA , ATH, Iowa City West
Woods is the son of Iowa special teams coordinator LeVar Woods, who also played for the Hawkeyes before an NFL career. Needless to say, most outsiders see him following in his father’s footsteps.
Mason Woods Mason Woods 6'2" | 195 lbs | ATH Iowa City West | 2025 State IA hasn’t talked much publicly about his recruitment so the speculation could be an assumption. He has visited and came away impressed with Kansas and Missouri. He’s been at Iowa for game days a lot when not on other campuses for the last two years.
He’s a fun prospect in that he truly should be listed as an athlete. The Hawkeyes like him at tight end. Other coaches see him lining up on defense. He plays receiver and safety at West.
Having watched him play in person since he reached high school and in watching his junior highlight video, I can see why colleges are split on where he would best fit. Woods (6-3, 215) stands out physically and athletically on the field. He runs well and possesses a high football IQ, which often happens with coaches’ kids.
Woods helped the Trojans 4×100 team finish third at Drake Relays. If another program can pull him away from the Hawkeyes, they’d be getting a super prospect. If he weren’t the son of an Iowa coach, he would be receiving a lot more attention on the recruiting trail.
Will Hawthorne Will Hawthorne 6'3" | 225 lbs | TE Gilbert | 2025 State IA , ATH, Gilbert
Iowa State offered Hawthorne a scholarship on April 29. He also reported opportunities from Northern Illinois, Army, Air Force, Miami (OH), Ohio, Northern Iowa, Penn, Princeton and Fordham.
The Cyclone offer raised Hawthorne’s profile and could have other Power 4 programs taking notice. He has visited Iowa, North Dakota State and others.
Like Woods, Hawthorne (6-3, 220) is athletic and versatile. He lists tight end, middle linebacker and defensive end as his positions on his junior highlight video.
I would put him in the box on defense based on the film. Hawthorne boasts great instincts as linebacker. That feel complements is aforementioned athleticism, quickness and burst.
Louden Grimsley Louden Grimsley 6'1" | 175 lbs | WR Sioux City East | 2025 State IA , ATH, Sioux City East
Grimsley transferred from Lawton-Bronson to Sioux City East after last season. He’s run the fastest 100 meters (10.81 seconds) and 200 (22.05) for the Black Raiders track team this spring.
In keeping with the theme of this writeup so far, Grimsley shares characteristics with Woods and Hawthorne. He’s an outstanding athlete who could project at multiple positions on the next level.
As we see during his junior highlight video from his previous school, Grimsley (6-1, 175) is a fluid athlete capable of delivering big plays on either side of the ball. The speeds stands out no matter where he lines up, including as a returner.
Grimsley reported a scholarship offer from Toledo last month. He added it to opportunities from Indiana, Northern Illinois, Kent State, Miami (OH), UNI, South Dakota and Western Illinois.
Axel Ramazani Axel Ramazani 6'3" | 220 lbs | DL Urbandale | 2025 IA , DL, Urbandale
Ramazani shows during his junior highlight video that he’s a menace to opposing offenses when lining up on the J-Hawks’ D-Line. He’s fast off of the snap and quick to the quarterback or ball carrier. His skills also could work at tight end, depending on his ability to catch.
The Urbandale defense relied heavily upon his defensive contributions last fall. He produced 21.0 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks, both totals ranking among the most in the state for big schools.
Ramazani is listed at 6-3, 215 on his Hudl page. That likely would mean he could add good weight to his frame without sacrificing the athleticism that makes him so effective already.
Washington State, Wyoming, UNI, North Dakota State, Western Illinois, Illinois State and North Dakota have reportedly offered Ramazani scholarships.
Manasse Kasongo Manasse Kasongo 6'7" | 220 lbs | DL Sioux City East | 2025 IA , DL, Sioux City East
You heard it here first (or second or third or whatever) – Sioux City East will be a factor in Class 5A in the fall. The Black Knights are loaded with college prospects throughout the classes. Kasongo might be the most interesting of them.
A basketball recruit first, Nebraska and Northern Iowa are dreaming on him as an athletic edge, albeit a raw one. You can see his high ceiling while viewing his junior highlight video. He shows off athletic ability and explosiveness that can’t be taught.
Kasongo lists his height and weight at 6-7, 220 pounds. He claims a 7-2 wing span. Like Ramazani, if he can catch, it’s a package that could work at tight end.
Basketball coaches on the next level also are interested in his game. Kasongo runs the floor really well and attacks the rim.