PRZIA 2028 Rankings Initial Release | Top 12-7

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: OscarGalindo30 in the coupon code area.   The PRZ Iowa 2028 rankings are OUT! Rob and I looked throughout the state to find the top freshman from the 2024 season and were able to draw up an initial "Top 12."   Here are the players who ranked 12-7 in the initial launch:   Check out Rob's "<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/a-warm-prep-red-zone-welcome-to-iowas-2028-class/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Welcome to the 2028 Class</a>" for an introduction to the 2028 rankings>   Full rankings & watchlist <a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2028-rankings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HERE</a>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   [player_tooltip player_id='1583617' first='Riley' last='Vanderlinden'] <a href="https://x.com/riley_vandy0">(@riley_vandy0)</a>, WR/DB - Bondurant-Farrar - 5'10" 155 lbs   It didn't take long for [player_tooltip player_id='1583617' first='Riley' last='Vanderlinden'] to establish himself not only as one of the best freshmen receivers but also as one of the top returning wideouts in Class 4A. The Bluejay's prospect led all freshman receivers and his team in receiving with 39 catches for 617 yards and five receiving touchdowns. Riley displayed great burst coming off the ball and showed that he could stem his routes very well before manipulating the opposing DB's leverage against them to spring himself open. Vanderlinden has deceptive speed that can slip behind the defense to provide an excellent outside deep threat. Great ball-tracking with reliable hands that help him pluck the ball right out of the air. The part about Riley's game that stands out is that he's not just a deep-ball receiver, as he showed he can work the middle of the field and can be fed the ball on screens to let him work with open space. Riley also flashed his overall athleticism, adding 397 yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground with 22 tackles on defense.    [player_tooltip player_id='1358941' first='Braxton' last='Parks'] <a href="https://x.com/BraxtonParks14">(@BraxtonParks14)</a>, WR/DB - Council Bluffs Jefferson - 5'8" 140 lbs   The receiver class is shaping up to be a great one with this 2028 group, and Council Bluffs Jefferson's [player_tooltip player_id='1358941' first='Braxton' last='Parks'] has emerged as an early name to watch out for. Parks hauled in 47 receptions for 561 yards and had two receiving touchdowns. Braxton impressed with his reps in the slot, showing that he could use his sharp route-running and twitchy change of direction to create separation over the middle of the field. He displayed a nice burst when turning downfield, which helped him tack on extra yardage after the catch. Braxton does a great job working his way to the ball on every throw and has the strong hands to secure it, even when battling through contact. Very good football IQ when it comes to attacking the defense and situational awareness on down & distance. Lots of promise with this shifty receiver!    [player_tooltip player_id='1596610' first='Jayden' last='Stephens'] <a href="https://x.com/jaydenstephenss">(@jaydenstephenss)</a>, DB/WR - Waverly-Shell Rock - 6'0" 170 lbs   One of the more interesting prospects in this class, Waverly-Shell Rock's [player_tooltip player_id='1596610' first='Jayden' last='Stephens'], provided several highlight-worthy plays in his freshman campaign. Jayden is a natural gamer who can produce no matter how you use him on the field. He is a great receiver who can carve up defenses at all levels of the field and has inside-outside versatility that can be used to draw up mismatches. Jayden has the speed to burn defenses deep if they allow him to get behind the secondary and has the football IQ to attack soft spots in zone on underneath routes. Stephens also flashes the athleticism and fluid play-making ability that earned him touches on sweeps and screens where he can work his magic in the open field or with blockers in front of him. Definitely a guy to watch for this camp circuit!    [player_tooltip player_id='1596631' first='Paulo' last='Asani'] <a href="https://x.com/PauloAsani">(@PauloAsani)</a>, LB - Des Moines Hoover - 5'10" 160 lbs   Des Moines Hoover's [player_tooltip player_id='1596631' first='Paulo' last='Asani'] is a versatile defender with a ton of upside to be excited about. Although listed as a linebacker, Asani projects best as an S/LB hybrid, depending on how he grows and develops in the upcoming seasons. He does an excellent job reading his keys and breaking on the ball with the closing speed to meet the ball carrier at/behind the line of scrimmage. He is a very confident tackler who uses proper technique and knows how to explode through contact to ensure his opponent goes down immediately. Great use of hands at the line of scrimmage to disengage from blocks and continue his pursuit. High-intensity, high-motor player who is only going to keep getting better!    [player_tooltip player_id='1082098' first='Lewis' last='Daye Jr'] <a href="https://x.com/LewisDayejr">(@LewisDayejr)</a>, ATH - PCM - 5'11" 180 lbs   Despite being thrown to the wolves early as a freshman, PCM's [player_tooltip player_id='1082098' first='Lewis' last='Daye Jr'] did not flinch when out on an island by himself. I got a better look at Daye last month when he attended the Stock Up showcase and impressed with a strong overall performance. Daye posted a 4.63 40-yard dash, 4.63 shuttle drill, and a 7.72 L-drill during the testing portion of the showcase. I also saw a lot of what I saw in his freshman tape, which is a strong, physical cornerback who plays with quick feet and loose hips that help him change direction on a drop. He uses his hands very well when breaking up a pass or snagging it for himself. Daye can jam receivers at the line of scrimmage while staying in their hip pocket in press/man and flow between zones to lock down a portion of the field.    [player_tooltip player_id='1529005' first='Justin' last='Ehlers'] <a href="https://x.com/28ehlerjus">(@28ehlerjus)</a>, ATH - Sergeant Bluff-Luton - 6'0" 170 lbs   Sergeant Bluff-Luton frosh [player_tooltip player_id='1529005' first='Justin' last='Ehlers'] first emerged on my radar when he returned the second-half kickoff for a touchdown against Carroll. His vision and burst when finding open lanes and his acceleration to separate in the open field were very impressive to watch. Justin saw the field sparingly, mainly as a returner, but he definitely made the most of his opportunities. His quickness as a return man helped give the Warriors excellent field position several times. Ehlers continued to display his top-tier athleticism at the Stock Up showcase where he gave us a glance at what to expect from him as a QB. He throws with good anticipation and puts solid zip on his passes. Ehlers also recorded a speed 4.56 40-yard dash, 4.56 shuttle drill, and a 9'0" broad jump. Very excited to see how Justin continues to develop as he earns more playing time and gains more experience... buy stock now!    <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Make sure to follow @PRZ_OscarG for more news on Nebraska and Iowa HS recruiting.

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: OscarGalindo30 in the coupon code area.