Freshmen Standouts from 2024 Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A new crop of future stars hit the high school scene this season. Freshmen from border to border impacted their teams and foreshadowed what could be special prep careers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at some of those standouts: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1583593"],"_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-6763343a98380"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The list of freshmen that have started at linebacker for Iowa City high is pretty short. Sheldon took advantage of his opportunity, leading the Little Hawks in total tackles (69.0) and ranking second in solo stops (47). He passed the eye test during multiple in-person scouting chances by Prep Redzone. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/21737243/6733c3dcb91c22482c96b865">highlight video</a> also lends evidence to a bright future. Sheldon stands out for his athleticism and lateral quickness. He owns an advanced feel for the game and does a nice job separating from blocks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1583604"],"_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-6763343a983f3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dunlap-Gillespie kicked off his high school career in fine fashion. He ranked third among the Knights' defensive linemen in total tackles (30.5) and solo stops (19), and added 3.0 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks. Dunlap-Gillespie excels with leverage, getting under the pads of opponents, and then powering through them. His skills make sense when considering he's also a problem on the wrestling mat, where he's 3-0 with three falls so far this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1583610"],"_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-6763343a9843c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's eye-opening when we see a freshman get run at defensive tackle for a 5A playoff team, but that's exactly what Monk pulled off. He shows explosiveness off of the snap during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22840326/6727d99274039550a217644b">freshman highlights</a> and holds his own physically, aided by active hands and quickness. As he adds strength to his lower half, Monk will be able to drive through blocks while continuing to get around them whenever possible. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1038029"],"_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-6763343a984a3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The son of Iowa offensive line coach George Barnett, [player_tooltip player_id='1038029' first='James' last='Barnett']'s advanced game may only be outdone by his exploits in <a href="https://www.milesplit.com/videos/667382/james-barnett-collects-14-year-old-shot-put-win">track's field events</a>. The sports complement each other, and Barnett exemplifies that. He possesses violent hands, plays with good pad level and still remains light on his feet. As you can see on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22657975/672fed7f0a2f5644f4e14a8e">highlight tape</a>, Barnett proves he's a prospect on both sides of the trench. He certainly could develop into a dominating guard or center with a chance to be a disruptive D-Tackle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1583613"],"_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-6763343a984e8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Barrett impressed me more than any other freshman during in-person scouting this season. Against rival West Des Moines Valley in the state semifinals, he performed well beyond his years at left tackle. His frame is such that he can add good weight through his prep career. Barrett's athletic with smooth feet and quickness. He plays with balance and slides well laterally. As he <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22498340/674e7eaea523797f61bb9a75">shows on film</a>, Barrett has P4 potential. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1583617"],"_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-6763343a9852b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Vanderlinden is a jack of all trades that doesn't need to master one of them to remain successful. He paced the Bluejays in catches (39), receiving yards (617) and touchdown receptions (5), while also ranking second in rushing yards (397). He posted 22.0 tackles (19 solo) on defense. He shows a flair for the dramatic during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22551423/67210f791f55227c243385f3">offensive film</a>, whether he's winning 50-50 balls or blazing through the secondary. When he's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22551423/672182330813f84ee6bd3856">lined up at cornerback</a>, the backpedal is smooth as is his ability to change direction. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1583687"],"_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-67633e41d7bdc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Doss stood out during Prep Redzone's in-person scouting of the state semifinals. On display was the versatility that allowed him to gash defenses as a runner or receiver this season. Doss ranked second on the Titans with 480 rushing yards, and he added 10 catches for 192 yards. If that wasn't enough, he returned 19 kicks for 552 yards and a score. Doss also showed potential on defense with 7 of his 7.5 tackles being of the solo variety. He's definitely one on which to keep an eye miving forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->