2028 Rankings Release: Freshman Film Review

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Red Zone Iowa kicked off a new year with the debut of its <a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2028-rankings/">2028 Class Rankings</a>. If you missed any content produced so far, check it out: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/a-warm-prep-red-zone-welcome-to-iowas-2028-class/">2028 Class Welcome</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/2028-rankings-release-scouting-reports-for-top-6/">Scouting Reports on No. 1-6</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/przia-2028-rankings-initial-release-top-12-7/">Scouting Reports on No. 7-12</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/28-rankings-release-watch-list-guys-poised-for-breakouts/">Watch List Guys to Watch</a> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look a more guys on the Watch List: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1331146"],"_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-6789709761904"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Drake is among a crop of talented underclassmen at Clear Creek Amana. Expect Lance Pedersen to have the Clippers in the hunt with the group. Drake looks like a dynamic playmaker on the both sides of the ball during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20414862/673664853f50993b1e0fdba5">freshman highlight video</a>. On the ninth-grade squad, he rushed for 756 rushing yards and totaled 11 touchdowns. He picked off two passes. He's a versatile running back capable of lining up in the slot. Drake can hit the jets with the ball in his hands. On defense, he shows fluid movements at cornerback. He hits and tackles well enough to play safety. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1588754"],"_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-6789709761964"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Goodrich could make a lot of noise on the recruiting trail in the coming years. His older brothers, twins Avery and Ethan, play on the St. Thomas offensive line. Their younger sibling has a chance to follow in their footsteps of competing on the next level. He may have a higher ceiling than them, too. Lucas must build on his strong foundation, physically and technically. Look out if it all comes together. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1581295"],"_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-67897097619aa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Physicality is not a problem for Helming, who combines it with a high-motor to look like he's playing a bit faster than everyone else during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20041122/67296f6dfd08e0b269e23c05">freshman highlight video</a>. It's useful film in that it illustrates Helming's versatility and contributions. He blocks, scores as a holder on a fake kick, catches passes, delivers tackles for loss and sells popcorn at halftime. The latter is not true. But he could. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1601659"],"_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-67897097619ed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kramer is fun to watch. Beckman stands him up on the edge and lets him rip. Kramer racked up 17 solo tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks as a freshman in 2024. He displays excellent burst and short-to-medium area quickness. Kramer's aggression is controlled, allowing him to stay in the play until the tackle is made. He also includes a 22-yard touchdown jaunt on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22602275/6748fe1fce73d8d9eca0aced">freshman highlight video</a>. </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-6789709761a2b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dunlap-Gillespie finished third among the Knights' defensive linemen in total tackles (30.5) and solo stops (19) as a freshman. He added 3.0 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks. Dunlap-Gillespie is a bull in the trenches, bringing a push from power. He gets off the snap quickly and mauls the opposition. He's an accomplished wrestler, which translates well to the gridiron. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1083273"],"_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-6789709761a67"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Drake flashes upside whether he's lining up at linebacker or running routes, as you can see when viewing his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22986691/Danson-Drake/highlights">freshman highlight videos</a>. On defense, he a versatile performer on the second level. Drake plays the run well and can stick with receivers. He contributed 12 solo tackles and a touchdown catch as a ninth-grader on a state semifinalist. Expect that production to spike in 2025. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->