Top Available Class of ’25 Prospects Part V
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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.
This is the fifth installment of a series highlighting the top uncommitted prospects in the state’s 2025 Class. You can also check out the previous entries: Part, Part II, Part III and Part IV.
These next five student-athletes will bring our total to 25:
Bobby Bacon Bobby Bacon 6'0" | QB Iowa City | 2025 IA , QB, Iowa City High
The Little Hawk senior-to-be has a great name and an impressive arm. Bacon could raise his recruiting stock with a big summer at camps and then a strong fall in his first full season as the starter.
Bacon (6-2, 175) set a school record with 2,193 passing yards even though he didn’t start every game in ’23. He averaged 15.6 yards per completion.
During his junior highlight video, Bacon shows accuracy on deep passes. He also can push the ball through small windows and hit timing throws. While he’s not a runner, he’s athletic enough to move the pocket and gain yards with his legs if the field opens up.
South Dakota State, South Dakota and others played host to Bacon on visits this spring. Iowa, North Dakota and Drake visited him at City High this month.
Luke Sternberg Luke Sternberg 6'1" | 185 lbs | ATH AHSTW | 2025 State IA , ATH, AHSTW
Air Force offered Sternberg a scholarship in April. The Falcons then visited him in Iowa on Tuesday. He’s scheduled summer camps at Iowa, Iowa State, Nebraska, Minnesota, South Dakota State, South Dakota and Northern Iowa.
Sternberg (6-2, 185) can show college coaches that he can play for them even if he attends a smaller high school in Iowa. He stands out in a large way during his junior highlight video.
Sternberg is a good athlete who recently won the 400 meter dash at Thursday’s state qualifying track meet. His versatility on the field means he projects at multiple positions on the next level.
He’s dangerous with the ball in his hands on offense, delivering from the slot or when he takes a handoff. He certainly could end up on the side of the ball in college. That said, he has the makings of a productive safety capable of covering and stopping the run.
Derek Ellens, C, WDM Valley
You can witness while watching Ellens’ junior highlight video a football player that has worked hard on his craft. He’s technically sound and maximizes his talents.
College coaches are intrigued by the 6-foot-3, 283-pounder. He plans on camping at Iowa, South Dakota State, Northern Iowa and North Dakota this summer. The Hawkeyes will have him on campus for the third time since November.
Ellens showed off the position versatility that should be attractive to scouts on the next level. He stood out in pass protection and in the run game lining up at left guard, and did the same at center, where he looked very comfortable.
The Valley lineman reports 275 on the bench press with 13 reps at 185, a 405 squat, 510 deadlift and 245 clean on his Hudl page.
Braylon Edwards, OL, Cedar Rapids Kennedy
Edwards is similar to Ellens in that he’s a prospect capable of playing guard and center in college. He anchors the middle of the line for Kennedy.
On his junior highlight video, Edwards (6-2.5, 285) stands out as a physical performer that overpowers opponents and drives them backward. He looks polished whether in pass pro or paving the way for the rush.
It’s encouraging to see Edwards smoothly get to the second level and reaching linebackers during his highlights. That speaks to him having good feet and athleticism at the position.
Edwards has set a summer camp schedule that includes Iowa, Iowa State and South Dakota so far. He visited the Hawkeyes, Coyotes, Illinois State, Western Illinois, South Dakota State and Northern Iowa this spring.
Isaiah Bassett Isaiah Bassett 6'3" | 215 lbs | DL Ankeny Centennial | 2025 IA , DE, Ankeny Centennial
Iowa State played host to Bassett for a game last season. He stopped at a Northern Illinois junior day in February. Cincinnati has kept in consistent contact with him since the beginning of April.
There’s plenty of projection for Bassett, who could shine on the next level with more physical and technical growth. The athleticism is there for him to blossom into a force with maturity. On his Hudl page, he reports running the 40-yard dash 4.54 seconds.
Bassett (6-3, 215) already causes problems for opponents, as you can witness while watching his junior highlight video. He’s explosive off of the edge and his quickness makes him tough to contain.
Playing with his head up and eyes on the play in front of him, Bassett understands containment and the importance carrying out his assignments. He does a nice job using his hands to get off of blocks.