Iowa Sophomores Set to Shine in the Fall

<!-- 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>The first year of high school football can be an eye-opening experience. Everything moves a little faster than before. It tends to slow up a bit in Year 2, however, when the routine becomes routine.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a group of sophomores with an opportunity for progress in 2025: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1605331"],"_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-6849ad2fb0a0f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hegelheimer found ways to contribute all around the field as a freshman in 2024. He rushed for 114 yards and a touchdown, caught three balls for 89 yards and a score, completed his only pass for 17 yards, totaled 11.0 tackles (8 solo) with 1.5 sacks, handled place-kicking duties and averaged over 40 yards on eight punts. Hegelheimer's versatility should help him contribute wherever he is needed this season, when a breakout is definitely in play. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18186472/6770de70bb50d1ba2e240c1c">freshman highlight video</a> reveals a dynamic performer. While Hegelheimer does his best work inside the tackles, he's not a plodder, instead picking his way through traffic if he's not running over it. He offers speed when he breaks away. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1657949"],"_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-6849ad2fb0a68"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pompilus flashed upside as a freshman on the varsity last season. He rushed for 118 yards on 29 carries and caught three passes for 18 yards. Those numbers could spike in 2025, when the Trojans might lean on on him more following graduation losses. Pompilus appears poised to maximize those opportunities if his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22863177/6817a2fda5715c2f6ee2e8dc">ninth-grade highlight video</a> is any indication. On it, he shows off an impressive combination of skills that work at running back but also could be utilized at other positions. His carrying tool is physicality, which plays anywhere. It helps him break tackles when carrying the rock, but he also has a good feel for setting up his blocks and running through the creases.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1689739"],"_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-6849ad2fb0ab2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Robins got his feet wet on the varsity as a freshman, when he contributed running the ball and catching it, spending time on defense as well. His versatility keeps open doors for a bigger role in 2025. Robins looks positioned to chip in on all three phases. The video clips on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/23083048/Camryn-Robins/highlights">Hudl page</a> are limited, but it offers a glimpse into his potential. The first clip shows him making a tackle as a gunner on kickoff coverage., which warms the hearts of coaches. On the other clips, we see someone that looks natural carrying the ball. Robins hits the initial hole hard, and then evades would-be tacklers with shiftiness and power. He sets up his blocks well, showing patience and vision.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1689750"],"_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-6849b8efef75d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Newton is an underrated program when it comes to developing student-athletes for the next level. That's why it's smart to keep an eye on guys coming up through the program, especially the ones showing potential early on. That's where Hummel fits in. There's one short video on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22716068/Ayden-Hummel">Hudl page</a>. On it, we see him intercepting a pair of passes as a safety. He tracks the ball well in the air and breaks on the ball quickly. We'll see what 2025 brings, but Hummel has a chance to take a big step forward during it. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1689780"],"_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-6849b8efef813"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Decorah has a football program with a proud history. From Josey Jewell right on down the line, the Vikings develop talent annually. Hayek has the looks of a student-athlete ready to help tradition during the next three seasons. Last year, he broke into high school football by making his mark on the freshman team. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22815871/Ray-Hayek/highlights">Hudl page</a> contains three videos from his ninth-grade campaign. The <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22815871/66f4bc05e23111e2f589592e">first clip</a> has him flying down the field on kick coverage and dropping the returner in his tracks. He does it again <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22815871/66fe067c0540b512932bc692">here</a>. Hayek looks like a mismatch as a tight end and is a stout defender at linebacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1689802"],"_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-6849c1219e011"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Operating on the freshman squad last season, Hemmer's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19375820/charles-hemmer/highlights">ninth-grade highlight video</a> provides evidence that his future is bright. The first clip has him coming off the edge to bat down a pass he ends up picking off and running back for a touchdown. The next frame shows Hemmer throwing a right offensive tackle to the side and dropping the quarterback for a big loss. Then he lines up at H-Back and takes a short pass about 35 yards down the sideline. Hemmer is accomplishing these feats against some of the state's other top freshmen located in Central Iowa. The Wolves have a lot of young talent in their program, and Hemmer looks to be a part of that group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->