Ranking Iowa’s Overall Top 25 for 2025: 10-to-6

One of the most difficult aspects of ranking preps is comparing student-athletes playing at schools with varying enrollments. In Iowa, there's an added degree of mystery when evaluating the eight-player game against 11-on-11 from Class A to 5A. That's a wide variety of elements.   Since shying away from hard tasks isn't in our DNA here at Prep Red Zone Iowa, we came up with an offseason content idea we hope you enjoy. Compiling the Top 25 overall rankings of players returning in 2025 proved challenging, as expected. Anybody, in any grade, no matter his school's enrollment, was eligible.   It's a prime time of the year to look over the talent based on the data we've reviewed. With guys competing in their other sports seasons and visiting college campuses for junior days in the coming months, new information will be scarce until 7-on-7s, camps and combines get underway in the spring and summer.   Here's a closer look at our Top 25 countdown, taking into consideration current production as well as projection for future ceiling:   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/ranking-iowas-overall-top-25-for-2025-25-to-21/">Prospects 25-21</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/ranking-iowas-overall-top-25-for-2025-20-to-16/">Prospects 20-16</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/ranking-iowas-overall-top-25-for-2025-15-to-11/">Prospects 15-11</a>   10. [player_tooltip player_id='1583613' first='Carter' last='Barrett'], 6-5, 250, OL, Dowling Catholic, '28: Barrett emerged as the top freshman in the state during the 2024 campaign. Starting at left offensive tackle, he helped the Maroons reach the state semifinals.   Barrett already is advanced physically with room to add mass and strength. He's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22498340/674e7eaea523797f61bb9a75">athletic and agile</a> with fluid movements and smooth feet.   Someone who works on his craft in and out of season, Barrett is technically sound for his age. That includes effectively using his hands and understanding the importance of balance.   Barrett claimed his first two scholarship offers this week. Iowa State jumped in on Tuesday with Missouri joining the party three days later. Those were the first of what should be a long list of options for this young man.   9. [player_tooltip player_id='1197458' first='Landon' last='Blum'], 6-4, 190, WR, Woodbine, '27: Blum emerged as a prospect on which to keep an eye with a breakout freshman season of '23. He followed that up with a 10th-grade year of 800 yards and 18 touchdowns receiving, and two interceptions on defense.   Athleticism keeps open positional doors for Blum at the next level. There's no need to look beyond receiver right now, as he's developing nicely there, but he could work at other spots, too, including tight end.   Blum, whose averaged 14.3 points and 7.5 rebounds a game in basketball this winter, proves to be a match-up nightmare during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16568301/672b8056612a2a6625d81ee8">sophomore football highlight video</a>. He's dangerous in traffic and in space. He tracks the ball well while it's in flight, and shows good timing and strong hands when high-pointing it.   Iowa, Iowa State and Kansas State already have offered, and he visited Oklahoma in November. Cyclone receiver coach <a href="https://x.com/landon_blum/status/1882838196590911830">Noah Pauley dropped by Woodbine</a> to see Blum on Friday.   8. [player_tooltip player_id='1197438' first='Jaxx' last='DeJean'], 6-4, 220, ATH, OABCIG, '27: The younger brother of Philadephia Eagle rookie defensive back Cooper DeJean, [player_tooltip player_id='1197438' first='Jaxx' last='DeJean'] shares his sibling's athletic ability with a different build. Jaxx is taller and longer, likely projecting at receiver, tight end, safety or linebacker at the next level.   As he illustrates during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20086024/67813df4192d3638e3711afb">sophomore highlight video</a>, Jaxx flashes upside on both sides of the football. He's electric as a receiver, catching 57 passes (10 TDS) and rushing for a score. He intercepted two passes, one of which he returned to the house.   DeJean covers well and supports the run as a cornerback. He could seamlessly slide to safety, hybrid or linebacker where the athleticism plays up even more. On offense, his route running, length and elusiveness might work at X receiver or tight end, depending on how his frame develops.   Iowa, Kansas State and UAB have reportedly offered DeJean scholarships. He's visited all three campuses.   7. [player_tooltip player_id='1238174' first='Colin' last='Whitters'], 6-4, 300, OL/DL, Iowa City West, '26: Like DeJean, Whitters could end up on either side of the football. His options reside in the trenches, however.   The 300-pounder is a mauler in the middle. He's built a strong base and upper body that wins him most battles, and eventually, the wars, no matter where he lines up. On top of that, he plays with excellent pad level whether blocking or getting off of blocks.   With the way his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17874064/6731784fee297d02d41d8636">junior highlight video</a> opens up, you become convinced he's a kick-ass guard or center on the next level. Stick with the film a little longer and a vision of disruption at D-Tackle pops in your head.   Iowa, Iowa State and Kansas State have offered Whitters scholarships. He's visited those schools along with Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin and Illinois. He was scheduled to attend a Hawkeye Junior Day on Saturday.   6. [player_tooltip player_id='1238514' first='Kasen' last='Thomas'], 6-2, 200, LB, Bishop Heelan, '26: In keeping with the trend of two-way standouts, Thomas is as dynamic as any player in the state. He gashes defenses with the ball in his hands and takes down others when they have it.   When watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17681877/674f5c1f9f1c830df811d3fd">junior highlight video on offense</a>, we see how he racked up 1,841 yards (9.2 YPC) and 26 touchdowns rushing. It's an impressive mixture of power, speed and vision. He's patient but also knows when to hit the gas.   During his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17681877/674d5698f944d22bcd5530c9">junior highlight video on defense</a>, Thomas shows how he piled up 15.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and two Pick-6s. He's versatile, coming off the edge, operating in space and covering.   Arizona, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas State, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska and Wisconsin have reportedly offered Thomas scholarships. The Hawkeyes, Cyclones, Wildcats, Huskers, Badgers, Gophers and Northwestern visited him at Heelan this month.

One of the most difficult aspects of ranking preps is comparing student-athletes playing at schools with varying enrollments. In Iowa, there's an added degree of mystery when evaluating the eight-player game against 11-on-11 from Class A to 5A. That's a wide variety of elements.