PRZIA 2027 Rankings Update | WL Players Primed to Rise

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;OscarGalindo30&nbsp;in the coupon code area.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2027 rankings received a winter update this week, with our list of prospects nearly doubling. In the latest update, the rankings went from a top 15 to a new “Sophomore 75.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although we only ranked 75 players, that doesn't mean there aren't TONS of prospects on the watchlist who have given us glimpses of their upside. Here are six watchlist players who I think are on track to turn heads sooner rather than later.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out the full 2027 list&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2027-rankings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HERE</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1616458' first='Quantae' last='Alexander'] <a href="https://x.com/QuantaeAlexand1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@QuantaeAlexand1)</a>, WR - Cedar Rapids Prairie - 6'2" 165 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a hooper with some upside on the football field. CR Prairie's [player_tooltip player_id='1616458' first='Quantae' last='Alexander'] caught my attention when reviewing film. He displays reliable hands and a huge catch radius to go with his taller frame (6'2", 165 pounds). Alexander is a great route runner who flashes nice explosiveness going in and out of his breaks, and he has a knack for exploiting the soft spots in coverage. Quantae projects well as an X-receiver but also showed that he can move across the formation to take advantage of size mismatches. Quantae caught 11 passes for 177 yards and a touchdown as a sophomore and will likely build on that in his junior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19731169/6723a77a4e7dacfcf5212d40' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67aee2227bcce"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1221251' first='Trevin' last='Helming'] <a href="https://x.com/Trevin_Helming" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@Trevin_Helming)</a>, QB - Johnston - 6'2" 180 lbs</em></strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although we didn't get much of a sample of sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1221251' first='Trevin' last='Helming'] under the Friday night lights, he did fill in nicely as the Dragon's backup QB. He did complete 9 of 10 of his attempts for 89 yards and a touchdown. We got a better look at Trevin at the Stock Up Showcase, where he impressed with his accuracy and strong arm. Helming has size that projects well to the next level at 6'2" and 180 pounds, with room to continue packing his frame. Trevin does a great job using his arm strength to fit passes into tight windows and can push the ball downfield on deep passes. Throws a very catchable ball with good zip on it. Nice mobility and footwork to evade the pass rush. Lots to like here with Trevin, and it could be time to start buying stock in the Dragon's gunslinger.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18266440/67579d25b429567550e73afd' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67aee2227bcff"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1361350' first='Abdul' last='Hodge Jr'] <a href="https://x.com/AbdulHodgeJr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@AbdulHodgeJr)</a>, DB - Iowa City West - </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Iowa City West's [player_tooltip player_id='1361350' first='Abdul' last='Hodge Jr'] is a player who is one big off-season away from making some noise on the recruiting trail. Hodge saw limited varsity time as a sophomore, but his JV/reserve tape showed a player just waiting for his time to blow up under the big lights. Abdul is a physical cornerback who doesn't shy away from stepping up to make big hits when defending the run. Hodge also showed a willingness to step up and press receivers at the line. He's very smooth in coverage, with the ability to flip his hips and change direction on a dime. He had good explosiveness when planting his foot and driving on the ball, with the closing speed to eat up space between himself and the ball carrier. Look for Abdul to be in the fold for more playing time next fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19595205/675f8ab4e603d6a3ff267971' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67aee2227bd21"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1581291' first='Lucas' last='Ranard'] <a href="https://x.com/LucasRanard13" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@LucasRanard13)</a>, WR - Cedar Rapids Jefferson - 5'11" 160 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's another wideout from the Cedar Rapids area. Jefferson's [player_tooltip player_id='1581291' first='Lucas' last='Ranard'] was a standout at the Stock Up showcase, with crisp route running that caused problems for attending DBs all day long. He is a very shifty receiver who does a great job getting a clean release off the ball and is sharp at the top of his route. He has deceiving speed that can catch DBs off guard and allow him to slip past them for big gains. I'm looking forward to seeing more from Ranard in year 3!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1207833' first='Colton' last='Wolcott'] <a href="https://x.com/Cwolcott08" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@Cwolcott08)</a>, DL - Clear Creek Amana - 6'3" 215 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clear Creek has had a solid run of great play in the trenches, with several players signing to college teams. One player who seems to be on that same trajectory is sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1207833' first='Colton' last='Wolcott'], who has shown glimpses of the type of player he could be. Although Colton hasn't played a ton on varsity, he has been dominating on the JV/reserve level, showing his explosiveness off the snap and use of hands to disengage from blockers. Colton does a good job setting the edge against the run and containing RB from bouncing a big run to the outside. A good offseason of hammering down his technique and hitting the weight room should have Wolcott ready to break out in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17313330/672a31e41f77c3051f18da8c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67aee2227bd3f"} /--> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Make sure to follow&nbsp;<em>@PRZ_OscarG</em>&nbsp;for more news on Nebraska and Iowa HS recruiting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->