Iowa Sophomores Set to Soar 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>The state featured some fabulous freshmen last year. Iowa's Class of 2028 is shaping up to be a good one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at six members set to soar this season: <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["833782"],"_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-6849d137d6824"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wright got his high school career off to a fine start with key contributions as a freshman for a playoff team. He recorded 15.0 tackles (12 solo, 2.0 TFL) and served as the team's top kick returner. In that role, he averaged 29.2 yards on 10 attempts, taking one back 90 yards to the house. Wright's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20451388/671f09274c20845194a42bcd">ninth-grade highlight video</a> reveals his level of performance in Year 1 and also someone with considerable potential. It opens with the long kick return, when the coverage team was no match for his speed. Wright impresses lining up at cornerback, where he sticks tight in coverage and also lowers the boom against the run. His hip movements are fluid when quickly changing directions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1630441"],"_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-684ded59c82bf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gary got his feet wet on the prep level operating as a freshman on the Tiger sophomore squad in 2024. It represented a critical building block developing in one of the state's leading programs for producing top talent. It should put Gary in position to contribute on the Cedar Falls varsity this season. We can witness that potential when watching his n<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23355396/67fffa57567fcb0d674a451b">inth-grade highlight video</a>. It opens with him returning a punt about 42 yards for a touchdown. On the second play, he motions out of the slot into the backfield, where he takes a handoff and races eight yards into the end zone. In both instances, he displays speed and an ability to make opponents miss. He's a willing and able blocker at wideout thanks to a physicality that could work in the secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1691188"],"_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-684df9bdefd7f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bergeson played his first year of high school football on the Wolves' freshman squad in 2024. A newer program, Northwest is beginning to see the fruits of developing talent in an area of the state with a lot of it. Bergeson's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19375846/67a17ec24171881499c77031">ninth-grade highlight video</a> impresses, especially when you consider he's facing fine competition. Operating at left tackle, he wins with strength, power and agility uncommon for a player of his youth and experience. Bergeson plows over would-be tacklers in the run game before they can react. In pass pro, he's nible and works with good hand placement. Picking Bergeson as a breakout for this season would be a fine selection.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1691575"],"_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-684f4834d6be4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pierson broke into high school football developing on the Bulldog freshman team, forming a foundation for the future in one of the state's top programs at producing talent. On his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/20076856/parker-pierson/highlights">Hudl page</a>, Pierson's highlights are limited. It houses clips from individual games. That's enough to get a read on Pierson. What we see is a student-athlete that embraces the game's physicality. As an interior offensive lineman, he overwhelmed opponents with a quick get-off on the snap. From there Pierson drives into the other guy's chest and powerfully removes him from tackling consideration. He's also a versatile linebacker that disrupts the offense's proceedings while lining up in multiple spots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1211018"],"_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-684f5e9e3a3f3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In a program that produces some of the top players for the next level, Johnson Jr. looks like he could be one of the next ones coming through the pipeline. During his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23168932/67b1033609355bd53c47734b">freshman highlight video</a> of 2024, he offers potential on both sides of the ball as an athlete with quick-twitch characteristics. They also show up for him as a returner, where we see elusiveness, sharp cuts and explosiveness. Johnson's development is one to monitor closely this season, as a breakout season for a team that should compete for a championship might be in the cards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1696154"],"_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-6859c72d539c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lensch quarterbacked the Pleasant Valley freshman squad to an 8-1 record in 2024, when he tossed 13 touchdown passes. Lensch has the luxury of continuing his quarterback development with the ace in his back pocket of being athletic enough to potentially switch off the position if a clearer path opens up. Lensch's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23207629/671dc8d1e47f640f38af897e">9th-grade highlight video</a> features him gashing opponents at multiple spots on both sides of the ball. The lefty fires a long touchdown pass on the first clip. Later we see him running through and away from the defense after keeping the ball on the option. Other clips have him looking fast and physical in the secondary. Lensch is one to watch in 2025, when he could break out for one of the state's top programs at developing talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->