PRZIA 2027 Rankings Update – #15-11

It's been an exciting week around here with the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2027-rankings/">Class of 2027 Rankings Update</a> dropping. It provided us with a jumping in point for the upcoming season, when these guys will rise and new guys will emerge.   This piece is part of a series focusing on student-athletes our new Top 20. You can find reports on 20-15 <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/08/przia-2027-rankings-update-20-16/">HERE</a>. You can also read the methodology of creating the rankings <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/08/methodology-behind-iowa-class-of-27-updated-rankings/">HERE</a>.    Cowger got his feet wet on the varsity last season, finishing up with 7.0 tackles (6 solo, 3.0 TFL) and a sack. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19669063/Brayden-Cowger/highlights">limited freshman highlights</a> show us the potential, and it should be noted, playing the line as a ninth-grader in Class 5A ain't easy. He met the physical challenges, and that often foreshadows good times ahead. Cowger wins with impressive strength and quickness already, so the starter kit is there as he adds moves and more to his toolbox. By the way, his Hudl photo shows him playing with a cast on his right arm, so his toughness probably isn't in question.     Like with Cowger, Diehl eased into his high school career as a freshman on the varsity. He finished the campaign with 7.0 tackles (7 solo, 1.0 TFL) and a sack. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19761200/660f57cf71448e333409bb70">ninth-grade highlight video</a> reveals a high-motor performer at right offensive guard and defensive tackle. He's quick off of the ball from both sides of the trench. On offense, he quickly gets leverage on opponents. Diehl then uses his advanced physicality and power to overwhelm them. The quickness shows up a little more on defense. The strength complements that well, allowing for him to bull-rush, which created his sack in '23, or speeding around the blocker. Looking forward to watching sophomore film.     Benton does a nice job developing sound student-athletes on the gridiron, sending '24 graduate Brennen Blegen to North Dakota. Clausen fits nicely into that mold as evidenced by what we see on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17041911/653ee30ba6783f0338558f3f">freshman highlight video</a>. Make sure to check him out RUNNING down a QB at the 1-minute mark. You don't see a lot of 6-foot-5, 240-pound (now 250) freshmen with his athleticism and burst on the D-Line. Clausen can go through or around would-be blockers, keeping his head up and his base balanced to change direction when needed. He's especially adept at crashing down on ball carriers. He lines up as an edge in the Bobcats' three-man front but would work well inside with four D-Linemen.     Freeman showed out at a Prep Red Zone Combine Series event back in May, landing on the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/05/prz-ne-ia-combine-series-all-camp-team-defense/">all-camp defense</a>. The performance backed up a freshman season in '23, when he delivered 3.0 tackles for loss in getting acclimated to playing varsity football as a freshman in 5A. He recently posted <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19646167/66a2942b8b19287c58733be1">more video</a> from late last season. It'd be impressive if it were any kid playing linebacker in 5A. When we consider it's a ninth-grader competing on that level, it's time to pay attention. Freeman disengages well from blocks in chasing down the ball carrier. That's saying something with his biggest strengths right now being speed and athleticism, which help in disengagement, too. With skill and physical development, Freeman's ceiling is sizable.     DC-G boasts a duo of younger receivers with play-making ability. Valenta and [player_tooltip player_id='1619934' first='Hudson' last='Heidgerken'] already are established targets for the Mustangs. While Heidgerken is beginning his junior campaign, Valenta is coming off a freshman season that saw him catch 18 passes for 185 and a touchdown on the varsity. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19644597/653bf3c73453160a6c5c7bd2">ninth-grade video highlights</a> show us a receiver that lines up at multiple spots with a good feel for running various routes. And he has plenty of time to sharpen those skills and work on his speed. He also includes blocking clips, absolutely always a good sign for a receiver. DC-G will have a new starting quarterback this fall, so it will be interesting to see how an already-experienced Valenta can help that guy settle in.

It's been an exciting week around here with the Class of 2027 Rankings Update dropping. It provided us with a jumping in point for the upcoming season, when these guys will rise and new guys will emerge.