Class of 2026 Prospects in Iowa Packing a Punch

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area   A new season is quickly approaching. Updated rankings are being released, and we'll be kicking off preseason coverage before long.   It's still June, however. There's plenty of time to keep rolling out student-athlete evaluations as we grow our data base here at Prep Redzone Iowa.   Here's a look at a group of seniors worthy of reports on their profile pages, which they now have:    DeShaw did a little bit of everything for the Comets in 2024. He caught 10 passes for 90 yards, contributed defensively and shared kick-off duties. While there's not a junior highlight video on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18153562/keshawn-deshaw/highlights">Hudl page</a>, it does house individual game film from last season. On it, we witness a fierce blocker at tight end. Whether lining up in-line or at the H-Back position, DeShaw moves well off of the snap and into his assignment. Often that's paving the way for the Bellevue running game. When opponents get used to him doing that, he can bust them down the seam on a pass play. DeShaw is athletic and agile in pass-pro, and his skill set could work on defense. It also should aid the special teams.     Cantwell delivered key contributions on both sides of the ball for a West Delaware outfit that faced a tough schedule in 2024. With a lot of talent returning in Manchester, the Hawks are set up to fly higher this season. Cantwell figures to build on a junior season that saw him rush for 348 yards (10.5 YPC) and six touchdowns, and add a pair of receptions for 37 yards. On defense, Cantwell recorded 16.0 tackles (12 solo, 3.0 TFL), a sack and a pair of interceptions. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17633949/6727a03dda33ac90e3a05e1a">junior highlight video</a> shows how he gets the job done. The first clip has him taking a swing pass and turning into a chunk play with straight speed. In addition to being fast, he runs with good balance.     Not one to get lost in a crowd, Fierke puts his impressive size to good use on the football field. The powerful lineman's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20061494/672f96100c37e89ce4e11c87">junior highlight video</a> serves as an excellent example of encapsulating his talents. On it, he pushes around the opposition and delivers plays for the Dodgers. Fierke is a handful in tight quarters, locking up defenders and removing them from tackle consideration. He's agile, nimble and light on his feet as well. Clips show him smoothly reaching blocks in space. While already productive, Fierke has room to grow as a player, which should excite coaches on the next level.     Full disclosure: I don't know the ins and outs to what makes a successful long snapper. We all know when we see one not capable of getting the job done, however. And that's not a problem for Strittmatter, who proved true on 38 punt snaps, all nine field-goal snaps and 41 of 42 extra-point tries in 2024. Strittmatter shows off his consistency during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18174820/677586403665c7256d0bbba8">11th-grade highlight video</a>. The ball comes out of his hands with pace and accuracy. Once released, Strittmatter runs well and is reliable in covering the kick.     Matheny contributed to the Centennial cause on defense and special teams during the Jaguars' successful campaign of 2024. He's a prime candidate to step into a bigger role this coming season and looks capable of finding success in it when viewing his 11th-grade highlights on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16704449/Gavin-Matheny/highlights">Hudl page</a>. Matheny performs comfortably and effectively as a slot corner. He diagnoses plays well, breaking off his guy to crash down on the run. When staying in coverage, his backpedal is smooth and his hips fluid. Matheny is fast to the football and would be a special teams' asset.     Koch rushed for 317 yards and a score, caught 28 passes for 333 yards and three touchdowns, piled up 70.5 tackles (65 solo, 11.0 TFL) and two sacks, and returned kicks and punts. It speaks to a versatile skill set that plays all around the field, as we witness when watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/21476990/675e7191cf70e3fc302e67ce">junior highlight video</a>. Koch operates with great tempo and diagnoses plays quickly. Those traits make him tough to block. Even when the the offense engages him, be separates well with active hands and strength. Koch embraces the game's physicality and always is a threat to dislodge the rock from the ball carrier. Special teams are another area where he can excel.

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area

A new season is quickly approaching. Updated rankings are being released, and we'll be kicking off preseason coverage before long.

It's still June, however. There's plenty of time to keep rolling out student-athlete evaluations as we grow our data base here at Prep Redzone Iowa.

Here's a look at a group of seniors worthy of reports on their profile pages, which they now have: