PRZIA ’27 Rankings Update Position Breakdown: Athlete

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area   Last week, Prep Redzone Iowa dropped its updated <a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2028-rankings/">Class 2028 rankings</a>. Next up is a <a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2027-rankings/">rankings update for the Class of 2027</a>.   Like we did with the sophomores, we're taking a closer look at the group through position breakdowns. This piece will examine the juniors listed as Athletes.   Here's a closer look at some guys whose athleticism gives them position flexibility for the next level:    DeJean proudly carries around the label of being Cooper's younger brother. Jaxx shares the high-end athleticism with his older sibling but it comes in a different package. The younger DeJean is tall with long arms and strides. Like Cooper, Jaxx plays multiple sports well, again, with different contributions in those endeavors. On the field, Jaxx stands out at receiver and cornerback as well as on special teams. As a sophomore last season, he threw a touchdown, rushed for a score, found the end zone 10 times after receptions and added a Pick-6. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20086024/67813df4192d3638e3711afb">sophomore video highlights</a> reveal a prospect with a huge ceiling. Iowa, Michigan and Kansas State see it. They've offered scholarships.     McIntire was one of the first players in this class to receive a scholarship offer. Iowa State extended that opportunity all the way back in November of 2023, the beginning of his freshman year. The question isn't will McIntire play college football, it's where. McIntire threw 25 touchdowns against just four interceptions and rushed for a pair of scores as a sophomore quarterback last season. He's a pass-first guy with arm strength and accuracy, but McIntire also extends plays and can tuck it and run. He totaled 31.0 tackles (23 solo, 2.0 TFL) and an interception as a dynamic defensive back capable of covering and supporting the run at a high level. McIntire impresses during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16580027/6789cc7ce16c1a3fb4b2e54f">sophomore highlight video</a>.     Hansen enjoyed one of the better summers among members of his class. The Newton junior challenged himself on the camp circuit and left Iowa State's campus with a scholarship offer. Hansen does a little bit of everything, as he shows during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19574284/67d06f9a392e2cf61a394f0e">sophomore highlight video</a> from last season. He completed the three passes he threw, rushed for five touchdowns, secured five catches, delivered five solo tackles and returned a pair of kicks. Hansen looks fluid carrying the ball, utilizing keen vision and making people miss. He also looks natural catching passes. Hansen includes special team's clips on highlight tape and is an asset there. Defensively, he fits in the secondary, likely at safety.     When the really good ones stand out in the eight-player game, it definitely can have a Gulliver's Travels vibe to it. As you can see when watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19503351/672b9fd4866dd4a803dfdaf8">sophomore highlight video</a>, Kriegel is bigger and faster than the competition, by a lot. It made sense to just start offensive plays with the ball in his hands at quarterback. Kriegel ran for 40 scores with 1,991 yards rushing, caught two TDs and threw for 18 touchdowns. He delivered 23 solo tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception. If that weren't enough, he shined in the return game. Kriegel is more than a guy stacking statistics in the state's smallest classification. He's a legit prospect.     Heitland took a step forward in his development last season, contributing important plays and, perhaps, foreshadowing a breakout coming in 2025. As a sophomore last season, Heitland came up with 28 catches for 293 yards and a pair of scores. He carried the ball four times for 31 yards. He added a couple of tackles, including one of the solo variety. Heitland's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19714122/671fda54dc3676514e95c953">10th-grade highlight video</a> shows us how he gets the job done. A versatile receiver, he runs crisp routes and is capable of beating defenders over the top or across the middle. He makes people miss in space. A quick-twitch athlete, Heitland's skill set works on defense and special teams, too.     The Wildcats clawed their way to the Class 3A state championship game with Hendricks playing beyond his years as a sophomore. He piled up 66.0 tackles (47 solo, 16.5 TFL), 5.0 sacks and returned a fumble 45 yards. Physicality stood out as his calling card. Hendricks gives the ball carrier something to think about for later in the game when he makes a tackle. He's committed to the scheme and doesn't go rogue. That is illustrated during the first clip of this <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19786941/66f98c330237514a06c16288">highlight video</a>, where he strings out a play by setting the edge before creating and recovering a fumble. Hendricks' quickness, lateral movement and strength help him get after the passer.

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Last week, Prep Redzone Iowa dropped its updated Class 2028 rankings. Next up is a rankings update for the Class of 2027.

Like we did with the sophomores, we're taking a closer look at the group through position breakdowns. This piece will examine the juniors listed as Athletes.

Here's a closer look at some guys whose athleticism gives them position flexibility for the next level: