PRZIA Film Sessions | Four Players Set to Rise in 2024

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;OscarGalindo30&nbsp;in the coupon code area.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the 2024 season rapidly approaching, the PRZ Iowa crew has been working hard behind the scenes to update our player rankings before the season kicks off. While we watch and review film from players across the state, I will be doing film session features on players who are new to my radar or have “re-caught” my attention. I will be keeping a close eye on these guys, and you should, too!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are four prospects with impressive tape that could be on the verge of blowing up in 2024!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='401870' first='Drake' last='DeGroote'] | 2026 | QB | Valley (WDM) | 6'0" 180 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18042448/Drake-DeGroote" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://x.com/DegrooteDrake" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Valley Tigers is projected to be one of the contenders for the 5A championship as they come off a semi-final appearance and return a ton of talent at several key positions. One of the biggest returning pieces is QB [player_tooltip player_id='401870' first='Drake' last='DeGroote'], who will look to build on a successful sophomore season in which he threw for 1,194 yards and 13 touchdowns. For only being a sophomore last season, DeGroote showed a good level of poise and composure in the pocket. He's very mobile and quick on his feet when looking to evade pressure. Drake is constantly looking downfield, moving through his progressions, and gets the ball out quickly when he finds his target. Additionally, Drake is also a threat when he decides to tuck the ball and run, as he picked up an extra 231 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. It's scary to think what Drake's game will look like by the end of his senior season as he continues to grow and develop... gonna want to get at this guy ASAP!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18042448/655185be64ea2a0c180b9ab5' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a0852f24ff8"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1279820' first='Braedon' last='Godfread'] | 2025 | TE/LB | Sidney | 6'5" 200 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16592227/Braedon-Godfread" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://x.com/BraedonGodfread" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sidney's [player_tooltip player_id='1279820' first='Braedon' last='Godfread'] is an interesting player to watch this season, as he could emerge as a major two-way star. I had the opportunity to watch Braedon compete at the Sioux Falls camp a few weeks back and thought he had a solid showing. He sticks out immediately, standing at 6'5" and weighing a solid 200 lbs, with long arms to go with his frame. He displays a quick trigger to break downhill when he keys run and has shown that he can use his length to disengage from blocks and work his way to the ball carrier. Godfread's size and quickness also make him effective in coverage, as he can match up well with tight ends or receivers. Braedon's upside on offense is also tough to overlook, as he could also play tight end at the next level. He can be moved across the line to create mismatches, and his leaping ability makes him a tough receiver to cover in the redzone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16592227/66295118e90580ad08d191f4' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a0852f2502e"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1286516' first='Blake' last='Butters'] | 2025 | ATH | Des Moines Lincoln | 5'11" 185 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16056467/Blake-Butters" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://x.com/BlakeButters" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Des Moines Lincoln's [player_tooltip player_id='1286516' first='Blake' last='Butters'] is another player who has high upside on both offense and defense. Blake is an interesting player to watch on tape mostly because he flashes the position versatility that is becoming popular in today's game. Defensively, Blake is listed as a safety but was seen lined up all over the field, including up near the line of scrimmage like an OLB and even in the slot covering receivers. He finished his junior year with 35 tackles and 6.5 TFLs, showing his ability to make plays behind the line of scrimmage. He has a great pursuit for the ball and is a sure tackler when he gets to his target. Reads and reacts to plays very well. Lincoln's two leading receivers from last season have graduated, so I'm confident we'll see more of Blake on offense and building on his 7 receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown from last season. Blake recently received his first offer from Simpson College and has been catching some looks with a busy camp schedule, so we could see his offer list grow by the end of the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16056467/6535647cff0288093c5ff4d3' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a0852f25050"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1234330' first='Evan' last='Smith'] | 2026 | DL | Cedar Rapids Jefferson | 6'4" 260 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://x.com/evansmith1007" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Jefferson J-Hawks are fresh off their best team in years and have a lot to look forward to in the future with a great group of young players. One player who I think is ready to take it to the next level is junior defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='1234330' first='Evan' last='Smith'], who played rotationally last season and ended with 5 tackles and 2 TFLs. Evan possesses solid size at 6'4" 260 lbs and is also very strong with a mean streak when it comes to shedding from blocks. What's interesting is that he can also be seen lined up as a standup outside linebacker to provide pressure off the edge. He generates a good push coming off the ball and tracks the ball well. I'm looking forward to seeing more from Evan this upcoming season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19976100/65230bb08cd5af11d4ad983b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a0852f25070"} /--> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Make sure to follow @P</em>RZ_OscarG for more news on Nebraska and Iowa HS recruiting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->