PRZIA ’26 Rankings Update Position Breakdown: DB

<!-- 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>Prep Redzone Iowa wraps up its recent run of rankings updates with <a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2026-rankings/">the 2026 Class</a>. The group grew by more than 150 student-athletes, now includes over 700 guys and plenty of movement occurred. You can get a better sense of how it came together <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/adding-context-to-prep-redzone-iowa-26-rankings-update/">HERE</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now that we've completed the process, it's time for position breakdowns. Please keep checking back as we highlight kids you'll be hearing a lot from on not-too-far-off Friday nights. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We'll keep things rolling with senior defensive backs:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["283946"],"_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-686ff8760dbb3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The No. 1 overall prospect in Iowa's 2026 Class, McGregory surprised some onlookers when he<a href="https://x.com/Jay_McGregory/status/1942363539735212508"> committed to Louisville</a> last week. The WDM Valley standout also officially visited Missouri and Minnesota after whittling down an impressive list of reported scholarship offers, which included Georgia, Michigan and Tennessee, among others. I'd heard great things about McGregory early in his career at Des Moines North and then with the Tigers before scouting him in person against rival Dowling during last season's state semifinals at the UNI-Dome. He immediately looked the part and then played it. The combination of size, speed, athleticism and physicality is special. He has a chance to be an impactful safety at the next level with an opportunity of reaching the big leagues with necessary development.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1370666"],"_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-686ff8760dc12"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I scouted Honore in person with Regina and again at the Back 2 Ballin 7-on-7 tournament this offseason. He's a long-limbed, athletic, fast prospect with a reachable high ceiling if it all comes together. It's an intriguing package of skills that work at multiple positions. Receiver or tight end are viable options on offense. Defensively, safety or linebacker might be his future. Right now, I'd lean to the former but would not be surprised to see Honore move up to the second level in college. It will depend on how his frame develops. Honore runs and changes directions well. His ball skills and long arms create tight windows for quarterbacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401675"],"_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-686ff8760dc6c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Clark impressed the heck out of me when the Hawks played at Iowa City Liberty last season. They also met in the playoffs. He helped Ankeny hold the Lightning to two of its lower point outputs on the season. Clark has length at cornerback, always a coveted quality, especially when it comes with fluid movements. Northern Iowa offered a scholarship in April, and I'd expect Clark to receive more attention from colleges if he picks up where he left off in 2024. Against a salty group of Liberty receivers, Clark shined. He flips his hips quickly and uses his hands well. Against the run, Clark willingly crashes down and is a technically-sound tackler. His frame has room to fill out without him losing any assets. It will help him stay sturdy in playing the rush on the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1619426"],"_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-686ff8760dcb0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I scouted Lewis multiple times in 2024. He stood out against a dangerous collections of receivers from Prairie and Liberty. The former happened early in the regular season, and the latter being the state semifinals in the UNI-Dome. The Rams were led by their defense, of which Lewis was a key performer. He probably fits best as a safety or slot corner on the next level with his balanced skill set. Lewis holds up well against the run but also sticks with receivers in coverage admirably. He embraces the game's physicality and seeks out contact. Lewis confirmed his athleticism with three receptions for 76 yards last season, when he collected 61.5 tackles (50 solo, 1.0 TFL) and an interception. He contributed on returns as well. Lewis could see his stock rise more with a strong senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1241409"],"_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-686ff8760dcf1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Linn-Mar surprised some people last season by knocking off the likes of Kennedy, Cedar Falls and City High en route to its sixth consecutive playoff berth. McEowen chipped in on both sides of the ball. He caught six passes for 87 yards. His biggest impact came on defense, however, where he accumulated 32.5 tackles (20 solo) and recovered a fumble. McEowen flashes the potential that has colleges interested in his skills during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17709733/673a9509246fd07f47d88201">11th-grade highlight video.</a> On it, McEowen is prepared for what's coming based on pre-snap tendencies derived from film study. He's often getting a head start on opponents through preparation. From there, McEowen reacts to how the play unfolds and carries out his assignment. He's a sound, physical tackler. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1216911"],"_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-686ff8760dd2d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I watched Schwieger operate in person when I scouted Prairie's early-season contest against eventual Class 5A champion Southeast Polk. He stood out as an active defender that loves playing the game and the physicality that comes with that. Schwieger registered 25.5 tackles (18 solo, 6.0 TFL) with three sacks and a fumble recovery. He also contributed on offense and special teams, which speaks to his explosiveness and athleticism. We witness it when we view his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15204083/672197eaa161dd592140db45">junior highlight video</a>. Schwieger gets downhill in a hurry with bad intentions upon arrival at the ball. He can line up across the formation and exploit mismatches. Schwieger runs well and can change directions quickly, which aids him in pursuing in space and also in coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->