Film Review: Iowa 2026s Packed with 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>We started this offseason attempting to write up evaluations for as many student-athletes as possible. They've been added to their Prep Redzone profiles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>More guys keep popping up, however. Here's another collection of seniors with something to prove in 2025:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1692319"],"_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-6850b1b9cfe67"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">West Branch boasts a proud football tradition with former Iowa and NFL tight end Marv Cook being its favorite son. The rich history stretches beyond him, however, and Montgomery is among the next in line. During an uncharacteristic down year for the program, he stood out as a two-way lineman for the 2024 Bears. The junior collected 26.5 tackles (15 solo, 4.0 TFL) and a pair of sacks. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/21157524/674f1a10c47d6c7ee0e744c0">defensive highlight video</a> reveals an intriguing prospect. His frame looks capable of bulking up for the next level. Montgomery could also work as an end in a 3-4 front. On his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/21157524/6750b271960ec6a298f666c0">offensive highlight video</a>, Montgomery flashes even more upside. His agility and athleticism play up on that side of the ball, making him one to monitor in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1692322"],"_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-6850b1b9cff71"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hageman chipped in on offense last season, but most of his production came while making tackles. He finished with 40.0 (23 solo, 6.0 TFL) of them and added a sack. During his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17894004/672fa48af464532f032bb2f3">junior highlight video</a>, Hageman impresses with athleticism and physicality. He especially stands out for the physicality, which he embraces. Speed and diagnosing plays lead to him lowering the boom on opponents. Hageman could be a linebacker in college but safety also is a possibility. He's capable creating some more recruiting buzz with a big senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1692325"],"_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-6850b1b9d0040"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kucera enjoyed a productive 2024 for a high school tight end. He caught 16 passes for 205 yards and three touchdowns, which led a well-balanced passing attack. You could easily see Kucera's production increasing noticeably this season with the Cougars experiencing key losses to graduation. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18996515/6721598f2d0ba3287ff2d49e">junior highlight video</a> provides evidence that he can handle the extra workload. With a projectable frame, Kucera would add an athletic receiver at the position, one with potential to develop as a blocker and make an impact on the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1685816"],"_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-6850b1b9d0117"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nevada won eight games last season with Smith delivering key contributions on both sides of the ball. He caught 15 passes for 139 yards. On the defensive line, Smith registered 26.0 tackles (17.0 solo, 6.5 TFL) with 4.5 sacks and a fumble recovery. When viewing his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17977918/674012d30c03e47095db548f">junior highlight video</a>, we witness Smith flashing potential with the ball in his hands. His size, speed and physicality work well at tight end. They also lead to success on defense. Flying off the edge, Smith is tough to contain. He's disciplined playing the scheme and delivers within the framework of it. I'm looking forward to seeing the senior season film because the ceiling is significant.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1692342"],"_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-6850b1b9d01f6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brooks is an intriguing tight end prospect and also offers potential on the defensive line. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16703964/6729617d86296d8276737945">junior highlight video</a> showcases his route running and play-making ability as an athletic tight end with the size to factor into the run game. Brooks is a physical blocker off of the line or in space. A lot of highlight tapes contain filler, but that's not what you get on Brooks' film. It's five minutes of high-level performance as a well-rounded tight end. His stock could really rise during his senior campaign. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1692354"],"_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-6850b1b9d02cc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hughey contributed on both sides of the ball for a respectable outfit from Lincoln. He caught nine passes for 91 yards with a touchdown and a two-point conversion. A disrupter defensively, Hughey delivered 3.0 tackles for loss and a sack. During his junior highlight video, Hughey shows versatility as a tight end capable of beating opponents as a receiver or blocker. He's quick off the edge as a D-End with an aptitude for chasing down the quarterback or dropping the running back. His video also shows him blocking a punt, making him a three-phase prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->