Urgent Prospect Updates in Iowa's 2026 Class

OK. In case anyone was wondering, I've been on a mission to write up as many student-athlete evaluations as I can this offseason. They've been packaged in posts with catchy titles we all know and love in this business. Stop me if you've never heard of an article trying to draw in the reader with "Prospects on The Rise", "Rankings Risers" and the like.   I get it. Our brains are inundated with information flying at us at lightning speed. We need to be drawn in if we're going to give something our time. It's sad but true.   Anyway, back to the main point, we've fallen behind on evaluations at Prep Redzone Iowa. How do I know? The top-ranked player overall in the 2026 Class did not have an evaluation on his profile page before this post.   Let's change that and add others that are overdue. You might say it's urgent or an emergency:    I'd heard a lot about McGregory when he was a freshman phenom for coach Eric Addy at Des Moines North. And that was in two sports - football and basketball. He moved to Valley as a 10th-grader and began growing. Last season, he blossomed into a special student-athlete. I saw it first-hand during the state semifinals against rival Dowling. McGregory impacted the game all around the field. His listed height and weight are legit and, if anything, he looks bigger. McGregory resembles a smooth-gliding locomotive. He's legit fast and physical. McGregory earned first-team all-state honors in 5A on the gridiron and hardcourt as a junior, the Tigers winning another basketball state title with football finishing second. McGregory is a hot commodity on the football recruiting trail with official visits already locked in to Minnesota, Louisville and Missouri.     A large human verbally committed to Iowa, Nielsen has incredible upside with further development. As you can see when watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17845024/66f9dfaa8d158587b6649798">junior highlight video</a>, the future Hawkeye is gifted with natural ability beyond his size. Nielsen is nimble and athletic, easily reaching blocks and picking off guys in space. He looks to have long arms and does a nice job with hand placement. Nielsen is strong and powerful already with room to add more of both. He sets up quickly into his stance, is light on his feet and plays with balance. When you watch Nielsen on film, it's important to be reminded that he has another high school season remaining. He already looks college ready.     The positional listing will change for Whitters when we next update our rankings. The Iowa City West big guy is verbally pledged to Iowa as an offensive linemen. That we and others viewed him as a prospect on the other side of the trench speaks to his power and explosiveness up front. Whitters is a notably athletic 300-pounder that moves his mass around effortlessly. He also stands out throwing for the track and field team, which speaks to his athleticism and coordination. Whitters projects as a kick-butt guard capable of blocking in tight quarters or out in space at the next level.     I caught Roberts in action when Ames visited Iowa City High last season. It didn't go well for the Little Cyclones, but Roberts did his part and then some. The first thing that stands out is his size and strength at the position. Then you notice the speed and athleticism he brings to the table. Roberts has a chance to be impactful at the next level as a complete receiver able to do what's asked of him in catching passes or blocking up for the run game. He'll do well in Iowa State's scheme and has a chance to development into something special as a hometown hero.     Punt impressed the Kansas programs last season, leading to offers from KU and K-State. He chose the Jayhawks, giving them a unique athlete capable of developing into a difference-maker at the next level. Kansas views him as a defensive end in the mold of an Aidan Hutchinson. Punt is not near the finished product of the former No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. He does possess unusual athleticism and dexterity for someone his size. Punt uses his long arms and burst to beat offensive linemen. His bag contains a productive array of pass-rush moves. The folks in Lawrence grabbed a good one out of the state.     I scouted Hine in person during Waukee's trip to Iowa City Liberty last season. He stood out playing left tackle as a junior on the varsity at the big-school level. Hine operated consistently well in matching up against a formidable Lightning defense. He reported on his Hudl page that he did not allow a sack and was not flagged for holding last season. Hine lists his hand size at 10.5-inches with a wingspan of 78.5. He's light on his feet and possesses power. That combination works well at tackle at the prep level. And while he might continue developing there, he could slide inside where his skill set would play up even more. North Dakota State, Air Force and others have offered Hine scholarships, and more could be on the way with strong performances in the summer camp circuit.

OK. In case anyone was wondering, I've been on a mission to write up as many student-athlete evaluations as I can this offseason. They've been packaged in posts with catchy titles we all know and love in this business. Stop me if you've never heard of an article trying to draw in the reader with "Prospects on The Rise", "Rankings Risers" and the like.