Scouting Reports: Rising Iowa 2026s of Note

<!-- 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>A new season is quickly approaching. Before long, we'll be revealing rankings updates and kicking off preseason coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's still June, however. There's plenty of time to keep rolling out student-athlete evaluations as we grow our data base here at Prep Redzone Iowa.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at a group of seniors worthy of reports on their profile pages, which they now have:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1240435"],"_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-68598128d4f7c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Collum might not be the guy the opponents notice getting off of the bus. But when the whistle blows, they'll be well aware of him. As a junior, Collum produced 23.5 tackles (10 solo, 3.5 TFL) and a half sack. He also recovered a fumble. During his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20148963/671f0619ad50f07e852ed869">11th-grade highlight video</a>, Collum reveals how he gets the job done. He's an agile offensive lineman that gets off of the snap quickly. Operating in close or out in space, Collum mixes physicality with good footwork and mobility. At defensive tackle, he's a handful. The athleticism that aids him as a blocker also benefits him in the middle of the D-Line. Collum's leverage and leg power stand out as does his ability to separate from blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1696554"],"_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-685ae4a656995"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">DeGroot's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18201374/Karver-DeGroot/highlights">Hudl page</a> is without a junior highlight video. There are individual game clips housed there, however. From them we see how he contributed to the cause in multiple areas. On offense, he rushed seven times for 35 yards, and caught 15 balls for 228 yards and a touchdown. DeGroot recorded 16.0 tackles (12 solo) and four interceptions on defense. He returned one punt for 17 yards. The secondary is his likely college home based on the footage from his junior campaign. He runs and changes directions well. DeGroot diagnoses plays quickly and carries out his assignments. He also holds up well against the rush.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1619347"],"_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-685ae761763e7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Opponents needed to account for Nixon in 2024. Even when they did, he disrupted what they were trying to do. Nixon finished the campaign with 37.5 tackles (21 solo, 9.5 TFL) and a pair of sacks. During his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17738954/6815259d0b1a403dcc567da9">junior highlight video</a>, he shows an impressive burst off of the snap. It's tough to lock him up because of his combination of quickness and strength. Nixon maximizes his gifts by playing technically sound. He operates within the scheme, carries out his assignments and plays with balance. Nixon is comfortable and effective coming off of either edge. As productive as he was a year ago, it feels like Nixon is a ways from reaching his ceiling. That's good news. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1242280"],"_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-685af093d03b8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nevada reached the Class 3A state semifinals last season in part because of the many contributions up and down its roster. Nelson chipped on on both sides of the ball. He caught four passes for 24 yards, a touchdown and a two-point conversion. On defense, Nelson produced 27.5 tackles (14 solo, 8.0 TFL), 3.0 sacks and a pair of fumble recoveries. On his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17977872/6765c16d7f2c3fb01354d5fc">junior highlight video</a>, Nelson stands out for his physicality. Whether he's pancaking an opponent as an H-Back or wrecking the opposing offense's plans coming off of the edge, Nelson cracks pads. D-End looks like his spot on the next level but don't rule out colleges liking his talents at tight end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1627228"],"_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-685af093d0458"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Knox's unique skill set allowed him to contribute for the Mustangs as a receiver, defensive back and in returning kicks. He caught eight passes for 75 yards and a touchdown last season. On defense, Knox chipped in four solo tackles. He returned three kicks for 40 yards. With Hempstead's graduation losses, Knox should take on a bigger role in 2025. Going by his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18335764/68539a29eb7fd06939e9861f">junior highlight video</a>, he's ready for the challenge. Knox really shines as a returner. He possesses the instincts, quickness, elusiveness and speed to make him a big play waiting to happen. Those traits also serve him well at wideout and in the secondary. Knox welcomes the game's physicality whether he's blocking or making a tackle, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1696590"],"_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-685af093d04dd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kenkel's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17883029/671b0005242ecc14d1ced9d5">junior highlight video</a> contains clips from only two games. With how good he looked in them, an injury likely sidelined him beyond that. Kenkel is fun to watch play center. It takes a special skill set and a broad base of talents to achieve success at the position. Kenkel smoothly handles the operation of getting the ball to his quarterback while simultaneously locking up the defensive lineman. His leverage and strength help him contend with bigger opponents. He's agile and athletic, which allows him to reach blocks in space. With another offseason of development, Kenkel is a prime breakout candidate for 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->