Film Room: In-State 2027s with Impact Potential

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;howe30&nbsp;in the coupon code area.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The off-season mission is to evaluate as many Iowa student-athletes as possible before kickoff in August. Today brings us prospects to watch in the 2027 Class: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1617649"],"_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-681a37617f32a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I caught James in action during the 2025 Back 2 Ballin 7-on-7 tournament in Cedar Falls. His arm strength and easy throwing motion stood out right away. He played consistently well throughout the weekend. I made a point of looking up his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19564166/6761b68fce3be2ef25488925">10th-grade highlight video</a> after that. On it, he confirms those aforementioned strengths, operating effectively in pads for the sophomore team. James shows a good touch in putting the ball in the right places. He throws his receivers into open space. When defenses get spread out, he's capable of taking off and chewing up yardage with his legs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1361100"],"_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-681a37617f3d1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Johnson contributed in multiple areas as a sophomore in 2024. Graduation losses should have him adding to his role this coming season. As a running back, he carried the ball 15 times for 121 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Johnson handled 18 kickoffs and connected on 14 of 16 extra points, and added a solo tackle. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19832013/67223eb1e94ad52ac6c64ef5">sophomore highlight video</a> reveals a determined ball carrier between the tackles. He's powerful and tough to take down. Johnson has a quick burst, getting downhill in a hurry. He's not a plodder, though, displaying the ability to hit home runs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1361350"],"_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-681a37617f459"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I saw Hodge in person last season when he was a sophomore at Iowa City West. I watched him again during the 2025 Back 2 Ballin 7-on-7 tournament in Cedar Falls. Both times I left the field thinking he was a work in progress. Hodge flashes high upside when he's at his best. At other times, the fundamentals break down. That's not an unusual scenario for younger cornerbacks. They're still learning their strength and weakness, along with the nuances of the position. The ability is there for Hodge, as he shows during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19595205/675f8ab4e603d6a3ff267971">sophomore highlight video</a>. He has length, athleticism and instincts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1205108"],"_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-681a37617f4d5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kaleponi showed up all around field as a Centerville sophomore. He rushed for 390 yards and seven touchdowns, caught nine passes for 79 yards, recorded 14 solo tackles, intercepted a throw, returned three kicks and was the team's main punter. A viewing of his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19671852/673a1d083c3db560338ff9fb">sophomore highlight video</a> provides an understanding of how he gets the job done. Kaleponi mixes power and speed when carrying the ball. He glides through the holes as he allows his blocks to set up. With good vision, Kaleponi sticks his foot in the dirt and changes directions on a dime when spotting the opening. He looks comfortable catching the ball out of the backfield. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1616414"],"_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-681a37617f551"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Video highlights from last season are limited on Kinney's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19428125/evan-kinney/highlights">Hudl page</a>. Fortunately, there's enough there that's worthy of evaluation. Kinney plays with an edge as an offensive tackle. He embraces the game's physicality and plays through the whistle, forcing opponents to do the same. Kinney uses his hands properly in pass protection and is balanced in his stance. He's a bulldozer in the running game, operating with effective pad level and powering through defenders with his legs. Kinney is one on which to keep an eye in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1608230"],"_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-681a39013c61e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lafrenz looked the part as an interior defensive lineman during his sophomore season of 2024. The performance created excitement for what was to come with a high-ceiling prospect. When we press play on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15948696/67c09383b7096146b20ac800">10th-grade highlight video</a>, we can see Lafrenz create disruption for the offense. He's an impressive mixture of power and burst. Lafrenz absorbs blocks and also separates from them when the ball comes his way. He finished last season with 11.0 tackles (8 solo, 1.0 TFL) and a sack, foreshadowing what could be a breakout '25 campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->