Iowa TNT 18U Looks Dynamite in 2025

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>TNT comes with multiple meanings. It's a popular TV station. It denotes shipping times. It's been known as an explosive compound for the longest time, however.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And that definition best represents Iowa TNT 18U as it prepares for the upcoming 7-on-7 season. It's a deep and talented roster ready to blow up on the circuit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The outfit is furnished with some of the state's top players in multiple classes. [player_tooltip player_id='1238514' first='Kasen' last='Thomas'] is the most accomplished of the group. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Sioux City Heelan RB/LB is a multi-time all-state performer who rushed for 1,841 yards and 26 touchdowns, and produced 44.5 tackles (32 solo, 15.5 TFL), 5.5 sacks and a pair of interceptions in 2024. He reports scholarship offers from Arizona, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas State, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska and Wisconsin. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two of Prep Red Zone Iowa's top-ranked student-athletes in the '27 Class run with TNT. OABCIG's [player_tooltip player_id='1197438' first='Jaxx' last='DeJean'] is No. 1 in the cycle, and [player_tooltip player_id='1198829' first='Kason' last='Clayborne'] checks in seventh.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DeJean, Cooper DeJean's youngest brother, accounted for touchdowns passing, rushing, receiving and via interception as a sophomore last Fall. Sioux City East received 40.5 tackles (19 solo, 2.0 TFL) and a sack from Clayborne, who also contributed on offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another Black Raider sophomore, Chris Ford, who's No. 35 in the PRZ rankings, brings additional firepower to TNT. He's coming off a '24 campaign with 31.0 tackles (24 solo, 2.5 TFL) with five interceptions, including a Pick-6. At the controls of the TNT offense will be Sioux City East gunslinger [player_tooltip player_id='1238521' first='Cal' last='Jepsen'], who threw for 24 touchdowns against just four interceptions for Sioux City East. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1242255' first='Caden' last='Lester'] and Anthony White were important two-way contributors for Heelan last season. The Crusaders got three touchdown catches, four interceptions and 16 solo tackles from Lester. White picked off a pass, caught two scores and stood out on special teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1198827' first='Raif' last='Jensen'], who transferred from Holstein Ridge View to OABCIG, has shown he's an excellent all-around athlete through two years of high school. He played quarterback and defensive back in '24, when he intercepted five passes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->