PRZIA ’26 Rankings Update Position Breakdown: WR

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area   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 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>.   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.   We'll keep things rolling with senior receivers:    I scouted Roberts twice during the last year. He impressed in catching six passes for 178 yards and a touchdown against a stingy City High defense early last season. Roberts shined again at the Back 2 Ballin 7-on-7 tournament this spring in Cedar Falls. A complete package as a receiver, Roberts can expose mismatches anywhere on the field. He certainly can take the top off deep, he'll make people miss on short routes and operates effectively across the middle of the field. His routes are crisp and his hands reliable. You can witness him carving up defenses during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16877663/671f2ca8ad50f07e852ef2fd">junior highlight video</a>. He wrapped up the campaign with 38 receptions for 989 yards and 12 touchdowns. Roberts transferred from Ames to Dowling during the offseason, giving the Maroons an incredible addition in pursuing a state title.     Brown has steadily developed within a talented receiver room during the first three years of his prep career. As he's become a more consistent, reliable player at the position, his production has followed suit. With graduation losses, Brown likely moves into the WR1 role for the Tigers. As we can see during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18041029/674610a9242cc67520728648">junior highlight video</a>, he did a lot of really good things in 2024. Brown impressed the heck out of me during an in-person scout at the state semifinals last November at the UNI-Dome. He was working out of the slot a lot, delivering crisp routes and showing the versatility as a complete receiver. Brown can get deep or work the middle of the field. He makes people miss in space, and is a willing and able blocker. He wrapped up his 11th-grade year with 42 receptions for 626 yards and six touchdowns. Expect those numbers to rise in 2025 with his experience and connection with the starting quarterback.     The son of former Iowa all-Big Ten point guard Dean Oliver, Isaiah accepted a preferred walk-on opportunity from the Hawkeyes in June 2025. He chose his father's alma mater ahead of reported scholarship offers from Army, Northern Iowa, North Dakota State, South Dakota State, North Dakota and South Dakota. Oliver moved to Iowa before the start of the 2024 season, when he caught 36 passes for 430 yards and six touchdowns on an offense with a lot of mouths to feed. Also a fine basketball player, Oliver stands out on the gridiron for his speed and high-end athleticism. His frame and leaping help him win contested balls. Oliver can take the top off or operate effectively underneath. He blocks well and will be an asset on special teams. You will be impressed watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17814018/671d279c4f4da7176019ffcd">11th-grade highlight video</a>.     Nyenow Jr. torched defenses to the tune of 37 catches for 724 yards (19.6 YPC) and seven touchdowns, all of which led the J-Hawks. Those numbers happened in just seven and a half contests. He also helped on defense, where he picked off a pass, and in the return game. Nyenow Jr. would be a special teams asset on the next level with his speed, athleticism and frame. During his<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17827252/66f8748fd736d65014ca1748"> junior highlight video</a>, we witness a dynamic wideout capable of beating opponents in multiple ways. He can run by guys, go over top of them and burn them deep. Nyenow's strength also helps in in catching passes and as a blocker. He's reported scholarship offers from Northern Iowa, Lindenwood, Upper Iowa and Minnesota State. More schools could come calling with a big senior season.     Tri-Center dropped its first game of last season and then ripped off 12 wins in a row to capture the Class A state championship. Nelson was in the middle of the action on both sides of the ball for the Trojans. He hauled in 73 balls for 1,118 yards and 13 touchdowns. On defense, Nelson piled up 29.5 tackles (27 solo) and intercepted four passes. Some colleges might prefer him on defense, where his length and fluid movements are a sound foundation. Nelson is more advanced as a receiver at this point, however, and his skill set at that position is tantalizing. We can see that when watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17675824/67507c0bf944d22bcd577d59">11th-grade highlight video</a>. Nelson runs crisp routes and looks to have reliable hands. He can beat opponents deep and make them miss in space. Nelson is being under-recruited relative to his talent.     Alford is a high-end athlete capable of playing multiple positions. Colleges might like him as a defensive back after he collected 34.0 tackles (28 solo, 3.0 TFL) and an interception. He impressed me in coverage when watching him at the Back 2 Ballin 7-on-7 tournament this spring. Alford could be a successful safety at the next level. His speed, vertical leap and quick-twitch traits work really well at receiver, too. Alford can get by defenders down the field and work the middle. He looks like a guy that can help from the slot or outside. The first clip of his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18335791/6712d01cd23c946d84d673b9">junior highlight video </a>has him taking a handoff as a running back and then making a bunch of guys miss. Physical and explosive, Alford is an asset on special teams, too.

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