PRZIA 2027 Rankings Update | Exciting Names on the Watchlist

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: OscarGalindo30 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>Here are four players who made our watchlist and are primed to turn in BIG sophomore seasons this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Click <a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2027-rankings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HERE</a> for the full rankings + watchlist, and click <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/08/methodology-behind-iowa-class-of-27-updated-rankings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HERE</a> 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:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1361363' first='James' last='Roberts'] | 2027 | TE | Muscatine | 6'4" 190 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19750334/James-Roberts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the first things that sticks out when looking through rosters on Hudl is a player's listed size, which was the case with 6'4" tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1361363' first='James' last='Roberts'] from Muscatine. The sophomore prospect doesn't have a ton of film available, but in the clips I saw, James flashed a versatile skillset and frame with tons of raw potential. Offensively, it's clear his size gives him an advantage against smaller defensive backs, and he has the quickness to fly past slower LBs. He had a few great plays where he found space over the middle of the field and was able to complete the catch through contact. Roberts shows a good burst after the catch, which makes him a threat to take any catch to the house. James could definitely fit the TE/Flex role at the next level and even has potential on the defensive side of the ball depending on how he continues to develop and fill out his frame.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19750334/652ff703ab9d37073011cbd4' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b2a82e2fcbd"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1358154' first='Layne' last='Peska'] | 2027 | DB/ATH | Iowa Valley | 5'11" 170 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19054499/Layne-Peska">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://x.com/layne_peska1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Iowa Valley 2027 class has the chance to develop into something special, with several players seeing varsity time as freshmen and playing at a high level. One Tiger to watch this upcoming season is sophomore safety [player_tooltip player_id='1358154' first='Layne' last='Peska'], who finished second on the team in tackles with 43.5 and added 1.5 TFLs, 2 fumble recoveries, and an interception. What stood out the most from watching Layne's freshman tape is that his motor is always going and the intensity that he brings to the field. For only being a frosh last season, Peska showed no hesitation when faced with having to take on a bigger back 1v1 and was even able to deliver some big hits. He is very instinctive and has the closing speed to fill his gaps quickly when he reads run. Very high ceiling for Layne who could also see a bigger role on offense this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19054499/660e0abfa97a28aac804792e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b2a82e2fd3e"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1137487' first='Jonathan' last='Friedrichsen'] | 2027 | OL/DL | Ridge View | 6'5" 305 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19675873/Jonathan-Floyd-Friedrichsen" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://x.com/jfriedrichsen27">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They say the one thing you can't teach is size, and Ridge View sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1137487' first='Jonathan' last='Friedrichsen'] has it! The incoming sophomore measures in at an eye-opening 6'5" and a strong 305 pounds, all of which helped him tower over his opponents last season. When watching Jonathan's tape, it's clear that there is still some raw ability and fine-tuning that needs to be done, but it's hard not to picture the kind of beast he could be by his senior year. His strength is evident in his ability to generate a good push on defense and how he can overpower defenders on his way to planting them in the ground. This is the type of player you can buy stock in early and wait for the huge return!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19675873/654d550b2351ef0b54f5b7cc' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b2a82e2fd73"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='755592' first='Jacob' last='Jefferis'] | 2027 | RB | Lewis Central | 5'10" 175 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18573151/Jacob-Jefferis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://x.com/JacobJefferis5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The reigning Class 4A champions look to reload with a hungry group of '27s who could earn big roles this season. One player to keep an eye on is sophomore running back [player_tooltip player_id='755592' first='Jacob' last='Jefferis'], who will push for more touches this season after rushing for 114 yards on 26 carries last year. I had the opportunity to watch Jacob at a team 7v7 scrimmage this summer and was very impressed with his receiving ability coming out of the backfield. There were several plays where Jacob was able to create separation from the defender and provided his QB an easy target to find on short downs. He also showed some big-play ability with the ball in his hands, taking a few "short" passes for monster gains with his speed and open-field twitch. Look for Jacob to also carve out a role for himself on the defensive side of the ball. Very promising player with three more seasons left in the Lewis Central prospect factory!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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 -->