Scouting Iowa Juniors Equipped for Success in 2025

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area   As an old coaching saying goes, the best thing about freshmen is they become sophomores. Staffs are hoping the progression comes with fewer mistakes. If you think about it, the same theory works for each year of matriculation. Student-athletes should be playing their best as 12th-graders.   If it holds, that's good news for this group of juniors, who took a step forward as sophomores:    Footage of Ruby in action on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/20163999/tanner-ruby/highlights">Hudl page</a> is limited, It contains individual game highlights. He also posted a <a href="https://x.com/TannerRuby_/status/1935419941739450421">short highlight video</a> on social media. From those clips, Ruby's potential is apparent. Whether with a hand in the dirt or standing up, he's a problem coming off of the edge. Ruby operates within the framework of the defense and plays his lane. Technically sound at the point of attack, he finds the right move based on the block. He disengages from offensive linemen with strength and active hands. His quickness for his size makes it challenging for opponents to stay in front of him.     Benitez's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19439465/672ce385ba25f3744ee8ba3f">sophomore highlight video</a> is a fun watch. The big fella looks the part lining up in the middle of the defensive front. The entertainment ensues when the ball is snapped. Seeing a guy of his stature moving quickly is impressive and often too much for the offensive lineman to contain. Benitez is fast laterally, which helps him crash down on ball carriers. He also displays front-line speed to run down running backs or sack the quarterback. Benitez plays under control with balance. He should be on the radar of more colleges by season's end, if not before.     Moody's Hudl page contains a <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19564159/673fb9eaca1e3e0a353f47b1">sophomore highlight video</a> from three games in 2024. What we see on it should mean an expanded role this season with good health. He's athletic with a frame capable of adding mass and strength without losing quickness and agility. The broad base of skills and natural gifts keep open the door for multiple positions on the next level. Moody looks capable and comfortable at receiver. His long arms and leaping ability help him win 50-50 balls, and he also can take a short pass and turn it up field for a chunk play. That's thanks to burst and speed, which allows him to take the top off, too. His traits also make him an effective safety. Moody is no slouch at quarterback, either.     With height, length and a projectable frame, Milliman is one to watch in 2025. Position versatility should be attractive to college scouts that seek good athletes they can mold into successful performers in their systems. Guys that can play receiver and defensive back in high school keep open more doors to the next level. Milliman fits that description as we see during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19757945/67a42ebe16625cfb388f1e83">sophomore highlight video.</a> The first clips reveal is flexibility at receiver. Milliman operates well taking short passes and turning up field for big gains, he can deliver over the middle on intermediate routes, get deep and blocks in the running game. He's active and physical on defense with a possible future at linebacker or safety.     Following a camp performance at South Dakota State in late June, Steger reported a Jackrabbit scholarship offer. It won't be his last. The impressive offensive linemen camped at Iowa and North Dakota State, two programs with a keen eye for student-athletes at his position. When you pop on Steger's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23006236/683bd4f75f07b5bb6e46f019">sophomore highlight tape</a>, you can witness what has college coaches interested in him. Kuemper utilized Steger at both offensive tackle spots. With good footwork, balance and hand placement, Steger is proficient in pass-pro. The same can be said about his work in the run game, where physicality and leverage overwhelm the opposition.     Williamson shows the potential to play receiver or defensive back at the next level depending on how he develops the next two seasons. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16738790/673639fdcd2fd0b592c64cc2">sophomore highlight video</a> opens with him lined up out wide on offense. Williamson takes the top off for a 52-yard touchdown catch. The next clip has him in the slot. He takes a short pass in the flat and eludes defenders, jetting down the sideline on his way to the end zone. The rest of the tape is South Hardin lining him up around the formation and Williamson delivering big plays from all of them. When we arrive at the defensive clips, there's a safety-type that's physical against the run with actions to stick in coverage.

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