’27 Rankings Update: Watch Listers to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's been a steady flow of content diving into the Prep Redzone <a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2027-rankings/"><strong>Iowa Class of 2027 Rankings Update</strong></a> that dropped earlier this week. More positional breakdowns have been mapped out for the coming days.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We also want to highlight Watch List guys poised for a future ranking. These dudes are only two seasons into their high school careers and preparing for that leap forward as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at student-athletes poised to make that happen this coming Fall:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1197450"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b2147e475e9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Roland-Story RB/MLB missed most of his sophomore season to injury after being a first-team all-district pick as a ninth-grader in 2023. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20158934/65bd5ec07bd2e106541eb4a0">freshman highlight video</a> features a two-way standout capable of big plays on both sides of the ball. Carlson shows off breakaway speed against his elders. He runs patiently, setting up his blocks. Carlson is already physical when carrying the ball or delivering tackles. He took a recruiting visit to Iowa last season. Expect more college coaches to take notice when he returns to the field in the Fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1204514"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b2147e476a1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Feuerbach's college future might very well be on the wrestling mat. The sophomore is one of the top 215-pounders in the state. Feuerbach's wrestling prowess translates to the gridiron, where he uses leverage, strength and balance to win. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19834396/66eae9dc082bda10871137bd">sophomore highlight video</a> provides a look into his football potential. Feuerbach's burst off of the ball on the defensive line overwhelms opponents and leads to him regularly separating from blocks. Feuerbach produced 22 solo tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss and a sack as a sophomore, numbers that should jump up in '25.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1617593"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b2147e47725"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Reiners played an important role as a sophomore for a state quarterfinalist. He delivered 34.0 tackles (14 solo, 1.0 TFL) with three interceptions. Reiners individual game highlights on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19493614/Pryor-Reiners/highlights">Hudl page</a> reveal an active safety that can step up against the run or stick with receivers. With graduation losses hitting the Lightning defense after '24, Reiners will be leaned on even more this coming Fall. He should be ready to take the next step as a player and a leader. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1476007"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b21b0aafc0c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An excellent group of seniors helped the Golden Eagles to an unbeaten state championship run last Fall. They'll need to reload in 2025, and that's where Creighton comes in. He shines during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19390463/672d041e8c52bf9238589798">sophomore highlight video</a>. He's a physical runner with speed and smooth actions. It's a skill set that should also work well on defense, where he fits in the secondary. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1590044"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b21b0aafc61"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fereday took another step forward in his development as a sophomore, piling up 24.0 tackles as a defensive lineman and holding down the left tackle spot on the O-Line. As we can witness while watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19831218/67b0ee27284aff1465a466d9">sophomore highlight video</a>, Fereday plays with bad intentions, regularly doling out doses of physicality on overmatched opponents. He's one on which to keep an eye moving forward because there's excellent potential here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["325194"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b228f017e6f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As a sophomore on a veteran team, Smith made his mark in 2024. He caught 16 passes for 136 yards in a crowded receiver room. Smith stood out against a stiff Dowling Catholic defense, showing slick route running and strength in traffic, as you can witness watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22244086/673123e6f464532f032d0b93">sophomore highlight video</a>. Smith's blocking through the series of clips is equally impressive. If you're looking for big breakout for '25 in Iowa high school football, Smith is your guy. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->