Uncovering Hidden Gems in Iowa’s 2026 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></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're diving 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's another batch of write-ups from a talented recruiting cycle:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1238621"],"_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-68370adaa018f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Operating at center, Spurgeon works well in the eight-player game as a mobile offensive lineman capable of locking guys up in tight quarters and pushing them around in space. You can see the power and agility shining through during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15611607/6717c2dede6f27f6364f7185">junior highlight video</a>. Spurgeon stands out in the running game but is proficient in pass-pro, too, with his quick feet and active hands. Spurgeon also lists nose guard as a position on his Hudl page, and his skill set would play there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["533060"],"_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-68370adaa0232"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">During a 2024 season with ups and downs for Panorama, Ashworth was a major positive. The junior caught 15 passes for 120 yards and a score. On defense, Ashworth intercepted five passes and collected 18.5 tackles (12 solo) with a fumble recovery. He also returned kicks and punts. We can witness is broad set of skills when viewing his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17926395/671470ed993016704a79f8ee">11th-grade highlight video</a>. Ashworth's fluid actions at cornerback allow him to lock down in coverage. He reads the ball well in the air and breaks quickly. Ashworth also sticks his nose in against the run, breaking down the ball carrier and finishing with technically sound tackling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1370571"],"_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-68370adaa02b1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Van Meter fell to eventual 2A state champion West Lyon in the semifinals last November at the UNI-Dome. Steinfeldt's work on the offensive line helped the Bulldogs average 38.5 points a game and total more than 4,300 yards during the campaign. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18030835/673dfbc8e06ba3ea295420c6">junior highlight video illustrates</a> his value in the production. Operating from the left guard spot, Steinfeldt stands out for his combination of athleticism and strength. Not a prototypically-sized interior offensive lineman, he succeeds playing with proper pad level and sound hand placement. Steinfeldt's agility and quickness are valuable when blocking one the move. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1620160"],"_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-683713617c2f5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gassman's<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17871785/673a8f23c64c3c7da627eff0"> junior highlight video</a> is titled "The Little Giant." Early on in it, we see why. The undersized linebacker plays bigger than his frame. The Bobcats move him around the formation, and Gassman impacts the action no matter where he starts out. He can creep up to the line and join the offensive backfield or prowl from the second level before pouncing on the ball carrier. Gassman is very fast to the football and wraps up upon arrival. He's physical. As a junior, he posted 27.5 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1238500"],"_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-683713617c34c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A bit undersized for a defensine lineman, Muehring gets the job done with speed, strength and toughness, as we see during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16707812/674b07799073481879bbe5a5">junior highlight video</a>. It led to 3.0 tackles for loss and a sack last season. A rotational piece on a deep Jaguar front in 2024, Muehring should step into a bigger role this fall. He's capable of more responsibility after adding another year of maturity and development. Muehring's hands are active, helping him regularly disengage from blocks. He understands the importance of setting the edge, pouncing when the time is right if the play comes his way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1421484"],"_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-683713617c392"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Williams ranked among the Blue Devils' leading tacklers last season and tallied 3.0 stops for loss. He also collected a fumble recovery. Williams' <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18074663/681c15f76a1fa5df9b99785b">junior highlight video</a> shows a linebacker and special teams' member with bad intentions. The first clip shows him absolutely obliterating a kick returner. Williams welcomes contact and embraces the sport's physicality. He's technically sound operating on the defense's second level, flowing to the football and effectively fighting off blocks. Williams also does well in coverage thanks to lateral quickness and long arms. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->