Iowa Seniors Worth of More Attention on Recruiting Trail

<!-- 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 that should be getting more love on the recruiting trail:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1692024"],"_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-6850554ee58d4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Iowa City West's 2024 receiver room was an embarrassment of riches. It should be pretty well stocked again this season with guys like Elser another year improved. He caught 25 passes for 221 yards with two touchdowns and picked up 18 yards on his lone rushing attempt. Elser also offers scouts a prospect on defense, where he collected 17.5 tackles (14 solo) and picked off a pass. If that wasn't enough, he averaged 21.7 yards on 18 kick returns and 11.4 on five punt returns. Elser sounds like an interesting recruit and looks like one on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17874040/67958f1e077c37f240bacbdd">junior highlight video</a>. Working out of the slot, Elser shows a good feel for operating in the middle of the field. He brings the burst valuable in picking up yards there. His quickness in changing directions and acceleration also help on defense and in the return game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1692029"],"_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-68505636ac142"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With 42.5 tackles (26 solo, 1.5 TFL), a fumble recovery and an interception, Hayner stood out among his team's leading defenders a year ago. He also chipped in offensively and on special teams, making him even more attractive for college coaches. They can see that next-level potential when watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17764902/680a64cc786435cd77a2ae0b">junior highlight video</a>. Hayner projects as a safety. He's currently lined up around his high school formation. The scheme utilizes Hayner in the box, where he's physical against the run. He also can run with receivers, changing directions, reading the play and breaking on the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1692274"],"_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-6850a1537dbb9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Halverson contributed in all three phases as a junior in 2024. He rushed for 685 yards (5.5 YPC) and seven touchdowns, and collected 55.5 tackles (33 solo, 5.5 TFL), a sack, fumble recovery and interception. He also returned punts and kicks. We see a versatile athlete with a projectable frame for the next level when we pop on Halverson's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/21682603/678535d7bd0d985fa42c1a1c">11th-grade highlight video</a>. It contains a dude built to play linebacker in college or, perhaps, edge in certain schemes. He runs and changes directions well, which help him in coverage. His lateral quickness and getting off blocks help him deliver against the run. Not sure why this kid doesn't have more interest from the next level. Somebody could end up with a steal late in the process.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1692280"],"_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-6850a3da8bfa9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Watson is a player you don't want to miss and likely won't if you're watching him play football. He is a large individual that contributes on both sides of the trench for the Wildcats. On defense, Watson delivered 16.0 tackles (13 solo, 4.5 TFL). He's a space-eater in the middle of the line, one that can move and pursue, too. When watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19439880/671d6b9e56711d51626aa10d">junior highlight video</a>, we see the power and burst needed for success in the middle of the D-Line. Watson is a handful to block one-on-one. He keeps his head up and eyes on the target before disengaging and pouncing on the ball carrier. There aren't any O-Line clips on the tape, but he lists right guard as his position. His skill set fits there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1692288"],"_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-6850a3da8c000"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tauber was a do-it-all performer for the Mustangs in 2024. The junior rushed for 127 yards (5.1 YPC) with two touchdowns and caught 21 balls for 331 yards with four scores. Defensively, he registered 33.0 tackles (15 solo, 1.0 TFL), two interceptions and a fumble recovery. Tauber averaged 21.1 yards on nine kick returns, one of which he took to the house. He also punted twice and added a two-point conversion. The <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18210569/671918a9e654f526b4e2831e">11th-grade highlight video</a> reveals a versatile athlete dangerous with the rock in his hands. Newell-Fonda is creative it getting to him, and Tauber rewards it with chunk plays delivered through speed and power. There's also next-level potential as a defensive back with fluid movements for coverage and physicality in run support.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1692303"],"_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-6850a62e3a896"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Card has slipped through the cracks in recruiting. Colleges would be wise to check in on him this season. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17836901/679bcf5d7853374e7334f3c4">junior highlight video</a> lends insight into his performance that might otherwise be overlooked because of team struggles. He alternates lining up at both offensive tackle on the film. Looking comfortable and effective at each of them is one attractive traits for scouts who value flexibility in their linemen. Card moves his feet well and benefits from active hands in pass-pro. He can get out in space and reach blocks, too. With a frame that can comfortable add mass without the loss of agility, Card's skills would play up even more with a move inside, which could be his future on the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->