Prep Redzone Iowa Elite All-State 2025

It was not an easy exercise. With so many outstanding performances throughout the state in 2025, boiling it all down to the best of the best across all classes should have been challenging.   Please know that the student-athletes on here aren't the only ones worthy of being included. Sometimes guys line up at deep positions, where in other years they might be the top player there.   OFFENSE   QB   [player_tooltip player_id='245608' first='Jack' last='Wallace'], SR, Iowa City West   A snapshot of the four-year starter's senior season can be viewed at the top of this story. Wallace did whatever it took to win, whether he was throwing it on a dime or running over guys. The Trojans reached the playoffs for the first time since '20 in large part because of his performance.   Wallace, a Minnesota State commitment, led 5A in touchdown passes (33) and passing yards (2,792), and he threw just four interceptions. He added 428 yards and eight scores on the ground.   RB   [player_tooltip player_id='848086' first='Dylan' last='Muszynski'], SR, Linn-Mar   Somewhat quietly, Muszynski produced one of the more impactful seasons in the state this Fall. He rushed for 1,593 yards (7.4 YPC) and 23 touchdowns, and caught 19 passes for 302 yards and a score. He accounted for 1,895 yards of the Lions' 3,884 yards of total offense.   [player_tooltip player_id='1280497' first='Braeden' last='Jackson'], SR, Ankeny Centennial   With plenty of mouths to feed on the Jaguar offense, Jackson made the most of his opportunities. He amassed 1,397 yards (8.1 YPC) and 22 touchdowns on the ground, and added 19 receptions for 228 yards and three scores. The senior returned five kicks for 211 yards and a pair of TDs, and two punts for 63 yards.   WR   [player_tooltip player_id='1129677' first='Dallas' last='Miller'], SR, Iowa City Liberty   One of the better all-around players in the state, Miller contributes in all three phases of the game. As a receiver, he paced 5A in receptions (65) and receiving yards (1,078 yards). He caught 10 touchdowns and intercepted four passes, which included a Pick-6.   [player_tooltip player_id='847948' first='Mason' last='Woods'], SR, Iowa City West   The Iowa tight end recruit caught 54 passes for 1057 yards and 12 touchdowns, while playing both ways. He returned a kick 87 yards for a score and intercepted a pass.   TE   [player_tooltip player_id='245592' first='Jozef' last='Reisz'], SR, Harlan   A smart college program will benefit from giving Reisz an opportunity after he caught 50 balls for 1,034 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. He could work at defense end, too.   OL   [player_tooltip player_id='847962' first='Will' last='Tompkins'], SR, Cedar Falls   The Iowa State pledge anchored a gifted Cedar Falls front that ranked 13th in 5A rushing yards, averaging 6.0 a carry.   [player_tooltip player_id='1221926' first='Carson' last='Nielsen'], JR, Waterloo West   The Wahawks reached the playoffs for the first time in a non-Covid year since 2016 with Nielsen and the O-Line playing a leading role.   [player_tooltip player_id='1209595' first='Marcus' last='McGregor'], SR. WDM Valley   A Wyoming commitment, McGregor and his mates up front helped the Tigers come within a whisker of a state title.   [player_tooltip player_id='1279124' first='Tyler' last='Rindels'], SR, Iowa City High   The Little Hawks resembled the Hawkeyes this year as a team than leaned heavily on the O-Line in the running game. Rindels, a Northern Illinois pledge, was awesome as a senior.   [player_tooltip player_id='1238174' first='Colin' last='Whitters'], JR, Iowa City West   The only junior in the group, Whitters is a two-way force for the Trojans. His pass protection is advanced for his age.   DEFENSE   DL   [player_tooltip player_id='856072' first='Ian' last='Middleton'], JR, Dowling Catholic   The junior was a disruptor for a defense that guided the Maroons to the Dome. He delivered 12.0 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks.   [player_tooltip player_id='252328' first='Joey' last='VanWetzinga'], SR, Pleasant Valley   The Iowa commitment projects as a center on the next level. He played that, guard, fullback and defense tackle this season. He piled up 11.0 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.   [player_tooltip player_id='847937' first='Thomas' last='Meyer'], SR, Clear Lake   Committed to Iowa as a tight end, other colleges liked him off the edge, where he produced 20.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks in '24.   [player_tooltip player_id='640854' first='Cooper' last='Martinson'], SR, Southeast Polk   The front man for one of 5A's top defenses, Martinson stood out on a unit with a lot of contributors. He piled up 80.5 total stops (67 solo) as a D-Tackle with 10.0 TFL and 2.0 sacks.   LB   [player_tooltip player_id='1238514' first='Kasen' last='Thomas'], JR, Bishop Heelen   Already with scholarship offers from Iowa, Iowa State, Arizona, Kansas State, Michigan State, Nebraska and Wisconsin, Thomas dominated on both sides of the ball this season. He posted 32 solo tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.   [player_tooltip player_id='252314' first='Will' last='Hawthorne'], SR, Gilbert   Like Thomas, Hawthorne starred as a two-way performer. Together they rushed for more than 4,000 yards and 54 touchdowns. On defense, Hawthorne delivered 33 solo tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks.   Cael Winget, SR, Southeast Polk   If an opponent somehow made it by Martinson, Winget was eagerly waiting behind him. The senior linebacker recorded 63 solo stops among his 74.0 total tackles   DB   [player_tooltip player_id='283946' first='Jayden' last='McGregory'], JR, WDM Valley   Our No. 1 player in '26, McGregory reports scholarship offers from Illinois, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Louisville, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Tennessee and Wisconsin. He could line up at receiver on the next level but might better fit as a safety, linebacker or hybrid.   [player_tooltip player_id='1238512' first='Julian' last='Manson'], JR, Iowa City West   Manson resembles McGregory as a versatile athlete with speed and burst, giving college options on where to line him up. He caught 13 touchdowns this season to go with 86.5 tackles. He's reportedly been offered by Iowa, Kansas State, Minnesota and more.   [player_tooltip player_id='1286497' first='Ethan' last='Stecker'], SR, Spirit Lake   Another impactful performer on each side of the ball, Stecker is heading to Iowa State after racking up 67 solo stops, 22.0 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks.   [player_tooltip player_id='1197438' first='Jaxx' last='DeJean'], SO, OABCIG   [player_tooltip player_id='1197438' first='Jaxx' last='DeJean'] is built differently than his brother, Cooper DeJean, but he shares his older sibling's athleticism and explosiveness. Jaxx registered 18 solo tackles and two interceptions, including a Pick-6, as a cornerback. He caught 10 touchdown passes and ran for another.

It was not an easy exercise. With so many outstanding performances throughout the state in 2025, boiling it all down to the best of the best across all classes should have been challenging.