Breaking Down Big-Time Ballers in Iowa’s ‘26 Class

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;howe30&nbsp;in the coupon code area</em></strong><br><br>We're getting deeper into the 2026 pool this week as we continue adding evaluations to student-athletes' profile pages here at Prep Redzone Iowa. Posting as many reports as we can for this class and beyond is the goal. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are another half dozen write-ups from a talented recruiting cycle: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1241077"],"_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-682fe023c3cad"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gutierrez was a part of a deep group of Warrior receivers in 2024. Fourteen different guys caught passes with half of them catching at least six of them. Gutierrez was in that group with seven grabs for 131 yards and a touchdown. And with others in it graduating, he could be in for a bigger share of the workload this coming season. Gutierrez's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17793256/6729867dea00f6f83ae06677">junior highlight video</a> reveals a well-rounded receiver capable of taking the top off or operating underneath, where he'll run crisp routes and snag the ball in traffic. Gutierrez's also is a willing and able blocker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1619332"],"_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-682fe023c3d40"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dorr was a problem for opponents last season, racking up 17 solo tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks as a junior. He also recovered a fumble and caught a touchdown pass. That all speaks to his versatility as an athlete, which shines through when watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18171801/6728015abf56bc53d1deca84">11th-grade highlight video</a>. Dorr is a long-limbed edge with straight line speed and agility. His frame is capable of adding mass and strength without him losing athleticism. Playing under control in pursuit, Dorr keeps the quarterback in front of him. He looks comfortable lining up on either side of the line, and his skillset also would work at tight end with more development at that position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1369795"],"_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-682fe023c3dbb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Grinnell just missed the playoffs last season playing in arguably the toughest 3A district. Its three setbacks came against Solon, Williamsburg and Benton, all postseason participants. With Gallagher and other key contributors back in 2025, the Tigers could take the next step this year. As a junior, he piled up 47.0 tackles (35 solo, 6.0 TFL) with 3.0 sacks and an interception in earning first-team all-district laurels as a linebacker. We see the ability when watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17863818/6761feb7074785537c23f05f">11th-grade highlight video</a>. Versatility allows Gallagher to line up around the formation. It should make him attractive for programs at the next level, who can slot him in at different positions. Some schools might like him at linebacker, while others might see him at safety. He'd also be a special-teams' asset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1619411"],"_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-682fe1f24d0eb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In a West season with a limited amount to celebrate, Huggins was a positive force as a junior defensive back. He finished 2024 with 15.0 tackles and he intercepted a pair of passes. Huggins' <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18279718/6746763681389f62edd69f7d">11th-grade highlight video</a> shows him competing at a high level in the state's largest classification. He diagnoses plays from a Falcon safety spot, pushing up to stop the run or dropping back in coverage. With smooth hip actions, Huggins could work as a slot corner. He'd also be an asset on special teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1619450"],"_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-682fe1f24d159"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Olivares shined as a junior with 51.0 tackles (36 solo, 2.5 TFL) and an interception for an outfit that won five games in the state's largest classification. We can see how he gets the job done by watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18171804/6722456eba2a5336bd34f562">junior highlight video</a>. Olivares lines up a middle linebacker for Lincoln, extracting knowledge from pre-snap reads and using it to carry out his assignment. With his straight-liner speed and an understanding of angles, he arrives at the ball ready to make a play. Olivares' athleticism and agility help him in coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1358225"],"_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-682fe1f24d1b0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Janesville won eight games and reached the second round of last year's playoffs. Porter found plenty of ways to contribute to the cause. He rushed for two touchdowns, caught a score, registered 17.5 tackles (13 solo), picked off a pair of passes, averaged 19.2 yards on 13 kick returns, and returned four punts to the house in earning first-team all-district honors. Porter's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17768820/6738c9e10579e2eac67070f3">junior highlight video</a> opens with him bringing the punts back for a TDs. He's fast but also elusive with good vision and patient in setting up blocks. Those traits also lead to success as a receiver. Porter regularly makes defenders miss in space. He's intriguing as a defensive back, too. Porter sticks with his guy in coverage and supports the run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->