Exciting Iowa Players to Watch During 7-on-7 Season

Lewis Central ’28 Braydan Doss (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Redzone)

Rob Howe January 31, 2025 @ 10:28 AM

University of Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz for years has panned 7-on-7 football. It's made sense. He rose through the ranks as an offensive line coach.   Despite his disdain for them, the Hawkeye student-athletes conduct their own 7-on-7 drills during June, when they aren't permitted on-field work with the staff. The workouts help build chemistry and continuity while also allowing for individual skill development.   The state of Iowa does a super job providing opportunities for that growth in the spring and summer. Numerous events run from March up to the <a href="https://iowa7v7football.com/blog/2025schedule/">state tournament in Tiffin on July 19-20</a>.   Prep Red Zone Iowa is looking forward to catching the action. We'll try to get everyone ready with preview content on what's ahead.   Here's a look at student-athletes poised for a memorable spring-summer run:   [player_tooltip player_id='458050' first='Cael' last='Kongshaug'], QB, Cedar Rapids Prairie - After transferring to Prairie from Iowa City High before last season, Kongshaug continued his develop on the Prairie Hawk sophomore squad. This 7-on-7 season will be the next step in his quest to succeed as a prep junior on the varsity this Fall. He played with Rip City and Level Up programs last season.   [player_tooltip player_id='850243' first='Brayton' last='Alford'], ATH, Kuemper Catholic - The Knight junior is an intriguing prospect on both sides of the football. He could end up at receiver, running back, defensive back or linebacker at the next level with his size, speed and skill set. He played with a broken foot in '24 and should be ready to take off this 7-on-7 season. He lined up with the Carroll Chargers a year ago.   [player_tooltip player_id='1197438' first='Jaxx' last='DeJean'], ATH, OABCIG - The younger brother of Super Bowl participant, Cooper DeJean of the Philadelphia Eagles, Jaxx broke out during last year's 7-on-7 campaign and hasn't slowed down since. [player_tooltip player_id='1197438' first='Jaxx' last='DeJean'] is a good athlete like his older sibling but with more height and length. This spring and summer should bring Jaxx's future position more into focus. He played for the Carroll Chargers last season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1197446' first='Wyatt' last='Valenta'], ATH, Dallas Center-Grimes - Iowa Flex 7-on-7 benefitted from Valenta's talents lin '24. He's an impressive combination of size, speed and physicality. It's a big offseason for Valenta, who visited Iowa and Iowa State multiple times last year.   [player_tooltip player_id='1583687' first='Braydan' last='Doss'], ATH, Lewis Central - I got a chance to watch Doss and the Titans during their usual run to the UNI-Dome in the Fall. His talent and potential was evident pretty quickly. That's unusual for a freshman at that level. His development going forward will one to track closely.   [player_tooltip player_id='1614949' first='Braxton' last='Parks'], WR, Council Bluffs Jefferson - Parks opened eyes this past season with 47 catches for 561 yards and a pair of touchdowns as a freshman on the varsity. He also intercepted a pass and returned a couple of punts for 41 yards. He's a budding playmaker that ran with Nebraska Select a year ago.   [player_tooltip player_id='1596610' first='Jayden' last='Stephens'], ATH, Waverly-Shell Rock - Like Parks, Stephens was a freshman delivering plays this past Fall. He averaged 29.4 yards on nine receptions with two touchdowns. Stephens' 11 carries resulted in 250 yards (22.7 YPC) and a pair of scores. On defense, he delivered 14 solo stops and intercepted a pass. Stephens returned 11 kicks for 286 yards (26.0 YPR) and 10 punts fir 54 yards. He lined up with the Cedar Falls Savages. The ceiling here is high.

University of Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz for years has panned 7-on-7 football. It's made sense. He rose through the ranks as an offensive line coach.