Class of 2027 Check-In, Guys on the Rise

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was about a year when Prep Red Zone Iowa unveiled its first Class of 2027 Rankings. The group of student-athletes has grown since then. Guys have raised their profiles with strong sophomore seasons last Fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top-ranked [player_tooltip player_id='1198816' first='Luke' last='Brewer'] is already a national name to know. The talented Norwalk tight end reports scholarship offers from Iowa, Iowa State, Georgia, Ohio State, Penn State, Tennessee, Michigan, Auburn, Nebraska, Miami, Kansas State, Kansas, Missouri, Stanford and Wisconsin. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Knocking Brewer from the No. 1 spot will be a difficult chore, but with time on their side, a collection of standouts from the state could make a run at it. It includes [player_tooltip player_id='1197438' first='Jaxx' last='DeJean'], [player_tooltip player_id='1197458' first='Landon' last='Blum'], [player_tooltip player_id='1204540' first='Jaxson' last='McIntire'], [player_tooltip player_id='466364' first='Tate' last='Wallace'], [player_tooltip player_id='513361' first='Carlos' last='Blount Jr']. and more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Digging into the class for a rankings update, we're reminded of student-athletes that emerged in 2024 and others that took big steps forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Quarterbacks emerge later than other positions in high school. A lot goes into playing it and development is needed. Guys do pop up early in the matriculation, however, and they usually end up accomplishing a lot. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1204436' first='Mack' last='Heitland'] was that dude in '24. The Waukee Northwest sophomore threw for 28 touchdowns and ran for four more. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Operating out of the shotgun, Heitland (6-1, 170) offers a lot. He displays arm strength with touch and accuracy on his passes. His quick feet and poise allow him to move the pocket, setting up completions when the play goes off schedule. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Iowa, Iowa State, South Dakota State and South Dakota played host to Heitland on campus visits this past season. He's planted himself firmly on the radar for colleges looking for a dynamic player-maker behind center.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Solon's [player_tooltip player_id='1532898' first='Maddox' last='Kelley'] makes plays on both sides of the ball and special teams. Depending on how he develops during the next few seasons, doors should be open at multiple positions on the next level after a sophomore season that saw him pile up 675 yards and seven touchdowns receiving with 38 solo tackles and four interceptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1105160' first='Dawson' last='Whitinger'] stuck out a few minutes into an in-person scouting opportunity at Liberty High this past season. It tracked that the sophomore racked up 88.0 tackles (11.5 TFL) and 2.5 sacks. He proved to be among the state's top '27s with plenty of room to go before hitting his ceiling. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Like Kelley, Johnston's [player_tooltip player_id='1198833' first='Bryce' last='Beachem'] offers intriguing versatility. He is coming off a 10th-grade campaign that saw him pick off six passes, three of which he housed, and show promise on offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Denver quarterback Jackson Joerger's highlights reveal an impressive sophomore year, when he threw for more than 1,600 yards and 14 touchdowns. He moves well, gets through his progressions quickly and throws a pretty deep ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Staying with the quarterback vibe, Mason City's [player_tooltip player_id='1827720' first='Jameer' last='Falls'] tossed 13 touchdowns with only four interceptions as a sophomore. He excels on long throws with arm strength and good ball placement. He's not a runner but he can scramble and make plays with his feet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Jordan Green emerged as one of Heitland's top targets this past season and should give opposing defensive coordinator's headaches the next two years. He posted 45 receptions for 670 yards and nine touchdowns, and also returned a punt for a touchdown. He succeeds with a combination of speed, reliable hands and leaping ability to win contested balls. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Urbandale's [player_tooltip player_id='1452144' first='Levi' last='Chulu'] put himself on the radar during the Fall with 43 solo tackles, the most among J-Hawks, adding an interception for good measure. He's a physical safety capable of crashing down on the run or running with receivers in coverage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->