Film Room: Iowa Juniors Ready for Takeoff in 2025

<!-- 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>I've spent a lot of time recently adding evaluations to the profile pages of 2026 Class members, seniors this coming season. Today, I jumped into the cycle behind that group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out these juniors-to-be worthy of your attention: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["600173"],"_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-68434fbb66a58"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wheeler appears to have transferred from Iowa City Liberty to Iowa City West, according to his <a href="https://x.com/reecesain7">social media</a>. That makes sense with the Trojans graduating their starting quarterback, and the Lightning bringing back its QB1. Wheeler threw four passes for the Liberty varsity in 2024, spending the bulk of his time slinging it with the sophomore team. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/21625734/65e781a806624c0a0c49bb0c">sophomore video highlights</a> reveal a signal caller with intriguing skills. With an easy, smooth throwing motion, Wheeler can stretch the field. His ability to chuck it accurately on the move and extend plays with his legs are traits coveted by coaches. Wheeler will get good coaching at West and seems like a breakout candidate if he wins the starting job.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1197489"],"_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-684353e413070"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As a sophomore last fall, Thompson caught nine passes for 228 yards and two touchdowns. He took a kickoff back to the house and delivered seven solo tackles, including one for loss. We can expect those numbers to rise significantly in 2025. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19681079/672d2c9bc7012eeddc165d6f">sophomore highlight video</a> provides us with evidence for that being the case. It opens with his kick-return score. Thompson makes a few guys miss and then sprints away from the rest. That continues and is the takeaway from his other clips. Line Thompson up where you can get him in space. He'll gash the defense. The speed and athleticism also would play in the secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1621055"],"_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-684356c41712d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Seals enjoyed success as a Clipper sophomore in 2024. He caught 12 passes for 191 yards and three touchdowns, and picked up 16 yards on his lone carry. On defense, 12 of his 14.0 tackles were of the solo variety. Rounding out the evidence of his broad-based skills were an interception and a punt return for eight yards. Expect Seals to make a much bigger impact this coming season. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23127865/6701ac1e7303b19974d2b545">sophomore highlight video</a> shows us a crafty and speedy slot receiver that operates well in the middle of the field and also can damage defenses on jet sweeps. His tape also shows the ability and willingness to block, which will endear him to coaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1271039"],"_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-68435a61b9053"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sanchez got some run with the varsity last season, when he also developed his skills on the JV. On his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16845217/67108b6d6215fb89e0199484">sophomore highlight video</a>, Sanchez shows the potential for great contributions on the top team in 2025. Le Mars moves him around the formation, sometimes lining him up in the backfield or in the slot on other occasions. Sanchez damages defenses after taking the handoff or catching a pass. He will also stick his nose into the mix as a blocker, showing a commitment to team football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1197492"],"_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-68435d84826e4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Robinson shined in all three of the game's phases as a sophomore in 2024. He rushed for 579 yards (5.9 YPC) and four touchdowns, and racked up 21.0 tackles (10 solo, 5.0 TFL) with two fumble recoveries on defense. As a kick returner, Robinson averaged 20.2 yards on 12 attempts. On his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/21000853/673762cd8d2a5d1af8520cd3">10th-grade highlight video</a>, he illustrates how he finds success in the gridiron. Robinson is a physical middle linebacker with a high motor and a nose for the ball. He picks his way around blockers and disengages quickly if they manage to get to him. Robinson's speed and athleticism also aids him as a running back. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1210930"],"_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-6843611c129ec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">For an outfit that spread the ball around in the passing game, Riser chipped in eight receptions for 94 yards. He also chipped in 12 tackles, eight of which were solo. A three-phase contributor, Riser averaged 22.7 yards on three kick returns and also served as the team's top punt returner. Riser loves basketball and mostly posts highlights of that sport on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16649013/Carson-Riser/highlights">Hudl page</a>, but he should have plenty of clips from the gridiron to share in 2025 as an all-around athlete with potential in multiple sports. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->