Top Available Class of ’25 Prospects Part VI

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 colleges entering this first full week of May.   This is the sixth installment of a series highlighting the top uncommitted prospects in the state's 2025 Class. You can also check out the previous entries: <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/05/top-available-class-of-25-prospects-part-i/">Part</a>, <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/05/top-available-class-of-25-prospects-part-ii/">Part II</a>, <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/05/top-available-class-of-25-prospects-part-iii/">Part III</a>, <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/05/top-available-class-of-25-prospects-part-iv/">Part IV</a> and <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/05/top-available-class-of-25-prospects-part-v/">Part V</a>:   These next five student-athletes brings our total to 30:   [player_tooltip player_id='1277245' first='Lathan' last='McDaniel'], OL, Indianola   McDaniel (6-3, 285) is a name to watch on the summer camp circuit. Already with an Air Force scholarship offer, he has set up trips to Iowa, South Dakota State, South Dakota and North Dakota after visiting the Hawkeyes, Iowa State, South Dakota, South Dakota State and others this spring.   The senior-to-be is not a secret in prep circles around Iowa. He's a second-team Class 4A all-state pick by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. It should be noted that he's young for his grade as a 16-year-old junior.   McDaniel (6-3, 285) impresses during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16765494/65580a6c9a9c1c0ad4886080">junior highlight video</a>. He lines up at right offensive tackle, bullying opponents in the run game, where he can smoothly reach the second level. In pass pro, we see an athletic O-Lineman that's light on his feet and agile.   Nose guard also is listed as his position along with offensive guard. While he doesn't provide any defensive highlights on video, he possesses the physicality and employs excellent leverage that could work well on the inside of either line.   [player_tooltip player_id='1277264' first='Nick' last='Darling'], OL, Johnston   As you can see during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14964115/652fdb2ea676a30350fd3a13">junior highlight video</a>, Darling isn't playing around when it comes to the game of football. In the first clip, a defensive lineman comes at him softly and Darling makes him pay.   The Johnston senior-to-be embraces physicality. The Dragons pull him from his right guard position, and he delivers in space as well as he does in tight quarters. Reaching that back side edge and taking him out really opens of lanes in the running game.   The athleticism and agility on display in run blocking also makes him effective in pass protection. He slides his feet well while remaining balanced and effectively utilizing his hands.   Darling is hearing from a variety of schools on the recruiting trail and reports a scholarship offer from Division II Minnesota State. After visiting, South Dakota, South Dakota State, Northern Iowa, St. Thomas, Illinois State and Western Illinois earlier this year, he's scheduled camps at Iowa and North Dakota so far.   [player_tooltip player_id='1183033' first='Connor' last='Best'], OL, Cedar Falls   Like McDaniel and Darling, Best (6-3, 290) is a physical, agile lineman that projects as a productive player on the next level. I think all three are best suited for the interior of the O-Line in systems that take advantage of their athleticism.   Best excels in picking off defenders in space, whether it be someone crashing down the line while he's pulling, or a linebacker or safety looking to make a play on the second level. You can witness the execution while watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16134562/658e3340478d8601f832d693">junior highlight video</a>.   Strength and effective hand placement stand out as two traits aiding Best's success. He gains the advantage on defenders quickly by getting under their pads, driving with his legs and guiding with his hands. His Hudl page says he's also a prospect at center.   Best took junior day visits this spring to Western Illinois and Northern Iowa. His Hudl page displays his bench press at 305 pounds, squat at 485, deadlift at 500 and clean at 345.   <ul></ul>   [player_tooltip player_id='640854' first='Cooper' last='Martinson'], DL, Southeast Polk   Martinson (6-4, 280) reports a football scholarship offer from the University of Sioux Falls. Plenty of other football and wrestling programs are involved with the senior-to-be from a family of successful grapplers.   A decision on his athletic future will be made in the not-too-distant future for the guy who finished third at 285 pounds at the Class 3A State Wrestling Meet in February. He also helped the Rams win a third 5A football title in a row last fall.   You can see how his aptitude for wrestling helps him on the gridiron when watching Martinson's<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16019521/65d92a7e420f9b0528be2667"> junior highlight video</a>. His slick feet, excellent leverage and powerful punch overwhelm offensive linemen.   Martinson consistently pushes the pocket on the pass rush. He keeps his head up and eyes in the backfield as he tracks down running backs. It's an impressive combination of strength and athleticism.   [player_tooltip player_id='827113' first='Jaxan' last='Huyser'], ATH, West Lyon   Sioux Falls and Northwestern College have reportedly offered scholarships to Huyser. South Dakota State watched him work out at his school on Friday and Northern Iowa also stopped by West Lyon this week. UNI, North Dakota State and others have invited him to summer camps.   Huyser (6-1, 200) reports running the 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds and his 100 meters at 11.63 on his Hudl page. He lists his vertical leap at 40 inches, his bench press at 285 pounds and his squat at 405.   When viewing his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16331418/6567629ebee1a60b2c57edee">junior highlight video</a>, we see a disruptive defensive force. His coaches move him around the formation and he finds ways to beat his opponents whether his hand his down or he's standing up.   The athleticism we see from Huyser on defense is confirmed by Huyser's work as a running back. He changes directions well and has straight-line speed. Safety or linebacker seem like the most likely positions for him on the next level with a good chance he thrives on special teams.

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 colleges entering this first full week of May.