OABCIG Boasts Production, Dual Threat Ability in 2025

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Along with one of Iowa's top 2027 prospects, the Falcons bring back a hard-hitting running back and a transfer from a rival program. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1197438"],"_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-6887b704e1496"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The name everyone and their mother knows thanks to his older brother who posted a pick-six in the Super Bowl, the DeJean family has become a story of legend in northwest Iowa. [player_tooltip player_id='1197438' first='Jaxx' last='DeJean'], the youngest of the trio of he, Cooper and Beckett, is the claim to fame for the Falcons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A wide receiver/defensive back hybrid for Larry Allen and OABCIG, DeJean can completely manhandle cornerbacks, make plays in the open field and grab contested catches on offense and takeaway one side of the field as a DB on defense. Last season, DeJean caught 57 passes for 610 yards and ten scores offensively while posting 20.5 tackles and two picks on defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DeJean will play tight end at the next level, thanks to his 6'4", 220-pound size, but his fluid movements and multi-sport athleticism have him on the outside for OABCIG. With offers from Iowa, Michigan, Kansas State and others, DeJean could see his offer list grow substantially this fall, thanks to his openness thus far in his recruitment. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1242843"],"_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-6887b704e1507"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A senior set to return on both sides of the field for the Falcons, [player_tooltip player_id='1242843' first='Jack' last='Gilbert'] finished second in tackling last season and is the leading returner after posting 49 last season. A rangy linebacker that can make tackles in the open field, Gilbert will be one of the most pivotal players on the OABCIG defense this season. He also grabbed two picks, one returned for a touchdown in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a receiver, the No. 20 athlete in Iowa is adept at finding holes in the zone for catches, but can also make some difficult catches in traffic. Hey may not have been QB, Brysen Kolar's go-to target last season, but Gilbert has hands that can be trusted over the middle, as he's not afraid to take a hit to maintain the catch. He caught 23 passes for 435 yards and a score last fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1198827"],"_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-6887b704e1557"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Previously a quarterback and defensive back for longtime rival, Ridge View, [player_tooltip player_id='1198827' first='Raif' last='Jensen'] transferred to OABCIG mid-year. He participated in basketball and track during the spring semester and is expected to take over at quarterback and safety for the Falcons this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Far-and-away the best athlete for the Raptors in 2024, Jensen completed 40-of-99 passes for 476 yards and four touchdowns, along with taking 111 carries for 530 yards and three scores. On defense, he totaled 34.5 tackles and five picks. With better offensive weapons around him, Jensen's production at QB should significantly improve in 2025. He'll also make the OABCIG passing defense that much more difficult to face.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another NW Iowa product that has received some interest from Iowa, Jensen has a chance to reach the D1 level as a DB. Playing alongside his P4 recruit teammate in DeJean will only help grow his recruitment. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"JJ Parks","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"149","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"OABCIG","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6887b704e1618"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A small, but speedy receiver, JJ Parks is the classic, undersized slot that uses his quickness to beat opposing DBs and return punts and kicks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not as much of an imposing presence physically, Parks must be accounted for in the passing game and on special teams, as he's able to burn linebackers over the middle and in the screen game, while also having the ability to speed past defensive backs. Last season, he posted 38 catches for 442 yards and four touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A quick mover in tight spaces, it's a surprise Parks didn't return a punt or kick back for a touchdown last season. With more opportunities this fall, he'll have a shot to do just that. He returned 15 kicks for 265 yards and eight punts for 108 yards last fall, while adding 17.5 tackles on defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1242845"],"_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-6887b704e1667"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A linebacker/running back hybrid that opponents don't enjoy matching up with, [player_tooltip player_id='1242845' first='Kade' last='Spotts'] is a hard-hitter on both sides of the ball. An LB that will plug gaps in opposing offensive lines as a stalwart tackler, and a running back that puts his head down and punishes would-be tacklers, Spotts is an opponent teams in NW Iowa fear to face. He'll provide excellent balance on the ground to the passing attack centered around DeJean, Gilbert and Parks, making the Falcon offense difficult to read and prepare for.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season, Spotts led the OABCIG rushing attack with 94 carries for 666 yards and seven touchdowns, and he finished third in tackles with 45, including six tackles-for-loss and two sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With just one offer to his name from Northwestern College, Spotts could leap up the rankings and earn a plethora of JUCO, NAIA and D3 offers this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->