Ranking Iowa's Overall Top 25 for 2025: 25-to-21

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:   25. [player_tooltip player_id='1198829' first='Kason' last='Clayborne'], 6-3, 210, DB/LB, Sioux City East, '26: Clayborne might be higher on this list if his football future was secure. But with how good he is on the diamond, <a href="https://x.com/PrepBaseballIA/status/1818357175791603988">baseball definitely could be his path</a> traveled beyond high school.   On the gridiron, Clayborne is a rangy defender capable of playing safety, linebacker or hybrid. As we witness on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19342604/6717c7c4f974b52b0a3354e6">sophomore season highlight video</a>, he lines up around the defense, utilizing his athleticism to make plays in traffic or in space. He flows well to the football and wraps up upon arrival. He flashed upside in a limited number of opportunities on offense, including running routes at tight end and taking the snap from the wildcat formation.   Kobe Clayborne, Kason's older brother, played defensive line at Northwest Missouri State before transferring to South Dakota State, where he was an honorable mention All-Missouri Valley selection in '24.   24. [player_tooltip player_id='513361' first='Carlos' last='Blount Jr']., 6-1, 210, LB, Ankeny Centennial, '27: Blount Jr. competed as a freshman at one of the better 5A programs in the state, signaling the potential for good times ahead. He took a step forward as a sophomore in '24, delivering 40.0 tackles, including 3.0 stops for loss.   Blount Jr. fought through injury throughout his 10th-grade campaign. It cost him time and prevented him from being 100 percent healthy for most of the year. You can see him fly to the football and deliver hits on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19713272/673225049e15beea10b70f20">sophomore highlight video</a>.   Iowa has played host to Blount Jr. on a recruiting visit. He's also reported having contact with Kansas State, Missouri, Kansas, Texas Tech and others.   23. [player_tooltip player_id='1105154' first='Cameron' last='Bowie'], 6-1, 285, OL, Urbandale, '27: I saw Bowie in action at Iowa City West during the season. He stood out right away with his advanced feel for the game and unusual power for a sophomore.   Bowie shows during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19669004/6733af96a95ccf78a938317e">sophomore highlight</a> video that he can hang with upperclassmen from a physical standpoint, frequently <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19669004/6733af96a95ccf78a938317e">winning the battle and the war</a>. He fits well at guard, lining up inside right tackle in 2024.   The foundation is there for Bowie to raise his stock even more during the next two years. He already is technically sound with a good burst off of the snap, balance and active hands.   22. [player_tooltip player_id='1077234' first='Hayden' last='Shannon'], 6-4, 260, OL, PCM, '28: Shannon is a big reason why Iowa's 2028 Class will led by guys in the trenches. He's an advanced prospect with plenty of room to grow his game and frame before hitting his considerable ceiling.   Check out his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22556767/674c9924ce73d8d9eca2123c">freshman video highlights</a>, and you see the potential along with current production. Shannon stands out for his size and strength on the film. You also notice good feet and hands, and an ability to pull and block in space.   Shannon visited Kinnick Stadium for Iowa's regular-season finale against Nebraska. It happened after a fabulous freshman year that saw PCM reach the state semifinals.   21. [player_tooltip player_id='1221959' first='Hayden' last='Bishop'], 6-3, 255, Cedar Falls, '26: Bishop played a key role on one of the state's better offensive fronts from his right guard spot. There, he showed on his <a href="https://x.com/HaydenBishop07/status/1861827641914843358">junior highlight video</a> a well-rounded skill set combined with excellent athleticism.   The Cedar Falls coaches like to utilize Bishop in space, pulling him into the area on the opposite side of the line or down the field. He understands how to reach blocks on the second level and arrives at them with good balance.   Bishop visited North Dakota, Northern Iowa, Air Force, Montana and Northern Illinois during the season. Expect his stock to rise more this spring and into the summer camp season.

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.