Stock Up for These ’26 Iowa Ballers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's been a busy offseason for the Class of 2026. Members visited campuses for junior days, welcomed college coaches to their high schools and worked out at camps for further evaluation. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>More data and exposure for this talented group raises their stock. Off-the-radar guys enter the picture and rise in the rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are players whose futures are looking up with a chance for much more should they continue showing out this fall: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1238174' first='Colin' last='Whitters'], 6-4, 290, OL/DL, Iowa City West</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17874064/655393a79a90f2077800c091">Sophomore Highlights</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Trojan junior wasn't flying under the radar around here. We ranked him No. 39 overall in our recent update on Prep Redzone Iowa. That was too low. Iowa State offered him a scholarship on June 5 and rival Iowa did the same 10 days later. When that happens for a kid only halfway through his high school career, it means a lot. He showed the instate schools he's an unusual teenager when it comes to strength and feel for the game. One of the better throwers in the Iowa prep ranks already, his ceiling on the gridiron his high. If he doesn't commit before the season, Whitter's performance during it likely will have top programs outside of our borders calling on him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1240572' first='Colt' last='Schipper'], 6-4, 260, OL, Waukee</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17793257/colt-schipper/highlights">Sophomore Highlights</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm going off of the word of people whose opinion I respect for this one. As you can see if you click on his highlights listed above, Schipper only includes hoops clips on the page. Schipper shows off his athleticism and agility in running on the hardwood. He. took home offensive line MVP honors at our Prep Redzone Iowa combine in May. That's a real nice performance among a strong group of participants. Schipper has time on his side, too. He won't turn 17 until next April. He hails from an athletic family with his brother, Owen Schipper, being a '24 Central College basketball recruit. Call this one a hunch right now, but don't be surprised to see a big season from this guy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1221948' first='Jaxon' last='Paulsrud'], 6-0, 190, QB/ATH, Cherokee</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14884967/655cddf832dc430abcf1b621">Sophomore Highlights</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've been writing about Paulsrud for quite some time. His 10th-grade highlights pop, and he's performing well at camps and combines. A strong junior campaign will continue lifting his profile. Already, he's on the radars of Iowa, Wisconsin and other college programs that value his combination of toughness, leadership and athleticism. They make him a dangerous weapon at quarterback on the prep level. Perhaps that's where a school that gains his commitment sees him thriving. Paulsrud possesses valuable versatility, however, and could end up as a running back or receiver on offense. He also shows potential on defense with safety and linebacker possibilities following high school.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1238526' first='Tayshawn' last='Gillen'], 5-10, 190, ATH, Gilbert</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16641956/Tayshawn-gillen/highlights">Sophomore Highlights</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gillen doesn't have a highlight video on his Hudl, but he does include clips from individual games. They reveal a high-motor performer on both sides of the ball. That certainly showed up on defense in '23, when he piled up 12.5 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks. Colleges could do a lot worse than adding a valuable playmaker that disrupts offenses. He probably best fits as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 or as a box safety. Despite not seeing a lot of carries, he looks very natural running the ball. It's a straight-ahead style with power but includes some wiggle as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1221955' first='Reece' last='Whinery'], 6-6, 210, ATH, Southeast Polk</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17765363/65492ca3066ba406b4cfc965">Sophomore Highlights</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A well-rounded athlete that excels in baseball and track, too, Whinery feels like a guy whose stock could skyrocket during the '24 season. Playing in the state's top program this decade, most sophomores are overshadowed and have to wait their turn to shine. Whinery certainly stood out on the sophomore squad with 2.5 sacks and 24 quarterback pressures. His 10-grade film reveals a disruptive edge that looks natural at the position. He owns pass-rush moves and knows when to use them. Whinery holds up well against the run, too. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->