PRZIA 2027 Rankings Update – #20-16

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;<span style="text-decoration: underline">OscarGalindo30</span>&nbsp;in the coupon code area.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The month of August will bring us updates to Iowa's 2025-2027 classes as we get ready for what should be a stellar season. To kick off these new updates, we'll be starting with the 2027 class, which saw several prospects stand out as freshmen and many more who have been gaining momentum over the spring/summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We start our coverage of the Sophomore "Top 20" with players ranked #20-16.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Click&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2027-rankings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HERE</a>&nbsp;for the full rankings + watchlist, and click&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/08/methodology-behind-iowa-class-of-27-updated-rankings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HERE</a>&nbsp;to see Rob's explanation behind the rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1197463"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b4d545d0c08"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Iowa Valley sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1197463' first='Nolan' last='Kriegel'] showed that he's not only one of the top prospects in his class but one of the best players in 8-man, period. As a freshman, Nolan passed for over 1,000 yards and rushed for over 1,200 while racking up 35 total touchdowns (13 passing, 20 rushing, and 2 receiving). Nolan possesses a great mix of size and athleticism, with an excellent feel for the game at an early age. Offensively, he can dice up defenses with his ability to throw to all levels of the field, or he can tuck the ball and run through multiple tackles with his physical running style. This guy is a flat-out gamer!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19503351/653ffd7f32e74d09142d9052' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b5483aca6ca"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1105159"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b4d545d0ca2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We corrected one of our first slip-ups in the initial 2027 launch, which was leaving Sioux City East monster DL [player_tooltip player_id='1105159' first='Darrian' last='Anderson'] off of it. He definitely made the cut this time around and with great reason. Anderson flashed a ton of potential as a freshman who wreaked havoc from the interior defensive line. He's a very powerful player who can use his strong leg drive to force blockers off of their spot. Darrian also showed he's not just a "bull-rush" guy with his effective use of hands to shed away from blocks. Good mobility and lateral quickness. The Black Raiders are set to be tough in the trenches this season with Darrian looking to play a big part in that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19534236/6548fd70da5c1f024052d6b3' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b5483aca745"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1105160"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b4d545d0d14"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1105160' first='Dawson' last='Whitinger'] is another player who was very close to making the rankings in the last update but just missed the cut. Dawson, who will be joining the Ankeny Hawks after transferring from cross-town rival Ankeny Centennial, is an interesting prospect with upside on both sides of the ball. Whitinger projects very well as a linebacker at the next level with good size (6'1", 190 pounds) and, as he showed at the Stock Up showcase, great athleticism and explosiveness (9'6" broad jump and 4.82 40-yard dash). When watching his tape, I was impressed with his instincts when it comes to gap play and filling his lanes. He doesn't get caught up with blocks at the LOS very often and displays good flow to the ball. Good closing speed and finishes his tackles. Excited to see what Dawson can do as part of the Hawks!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19973371/650b6bd764e8dc06f0bdfb1b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b5483aca7ac"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1361305"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b4d545d0d7c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At this point in the 2027 class recruiting cycle, varsity playing time is one of the top factors that go into making the early rankings. However, when watching Karter's freshman tape, it's hard not to visualize him as a player who could develop into a high-level prospect. He has great size already, at 6'2" and 290 pounds, and the natural strength to overwhelm his opponents. What impressed me about Alberts is that he has an underrated burst and quickness that allows him to reach second-level blocks quickly and is effective when pulling. Great "pop" in his hands leaves defenders stunned. I would not be surprised to see Karter make a push to be a starter for the Cougars this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19549136/65b270ec9680a60bf8f077d6' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b5483aca80b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1105157"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b4d545d0df3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Sioux City East Black Raiders loom large as a dark horse in the Class 5A race. They feature a good mix of experienced players and some great up-and-coming underclassmen, including sophomore CB Chris Ford. Chris found his way onto the field early as a freshman and ended his season with 46 tackles, a fumble recovery, and an interception. Ford displays a physical play style with no hesitation to jam up receivers at the line and can fight off perimeter blocks to help out against the run. Quick, clean footwork through his backpedal with fluid hips that allow him to turn and change direction on a dime. Wouldn't be surprised to start seeing more attention coming his way as he continues to fill out his frame. One to keep an eye on this fall!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19131917/6607692cc22d2db93f5f1ec7' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b5483aca869"} /--> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Make sure to follow <em>@PRZ_OscarG</em> for more news on Nebraska and Iowa HS recruiting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->