Film Room: Breaking Down Promising Iowa 2026s

<!-- 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>The recruiting clock is all over the place these days. With so much roster movement within college programs, high schoolers are forced to be patient at times. No need to panic if you're still on the board with your senior season beginning. There's still opportunity to impress scouts that will end up with openings on the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a group of guys that can raise their stock during the 2025 campaign:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1827700"],"_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-68a4e4c0d7ff4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In what was a season without a lot of Trojan highlights, Micou stood out as a junior in 2024. He chipped in on offense, but did his best work on the defensive side of the ball. Micou finished with 14.5 tackles, 10 of which were of the solo variety. A tackle for loss also was on his seasonal resume as were a pair of interceptions. When watching Micou's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18302065/673641018d2a5d1af8514fe8">junior highlight video</a>, we witness an impressive looking cornerback and a special teams' asset. On defense, he changes directions quickly with good hip actions. Micou usually is in place to make a play, and he closes well on the ball. His leaping ability helps him handle taller receivers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1827777"],"_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-68a4ef94da820"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bean was a key member of the Saints' defense as a junior in 2024. The defensive back recorded 22.5 tackles, 18 of which were of the solo variety. Bean proved he was a playmaker with three interceptions. During his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19892793/6744f6916e40c524fcb4fbad">11th-grade highlight video</a>, we witness him getting the job done with a technically sound game and a well-rounded set of skills. Bean looks natural playing safety, showing signs of identifying what's coming pre-snap and getting into position to deliver. He runs fast to the football and also has the movements to stick in coverage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1827812"],"_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-68a4f4976400d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lawless was an effective two-way lineman for the Go-Hawks during the 2024 campaign. The junior registered 17.0 tackles, nine of which were of the solo variety, 2.5 stops for loss and 1.5 sacks. Lawless stands out for his power during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17607035/67ce3d7a1737e5d653f80a22">11th-grade highlight video</a>. He controls the O-Linemen at the point of attack with good leverage and a strong upper body that allows him to shed blocks without a lot of effort. Lawless keeps his head up, eyes on the target and pounces on the ball carrier at the right time. He makes good decisions off of the snap.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1827865"],"_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-68a501acbabb8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Eckley was one of the top receiving threats for a Fort Dodge outfit that reached the postseason in 2024. As a junior, he hauled in 20 balls for 269 yards and three touchdowns. He also returned two punts for 80 yards, including returning one to the house from 40 yards out. When watching Eckley operate during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18195258/6727f732bf323254c186826f">11th-grade highlight video</a>, we witness a playmaker with the rock in his hands. In addition to being elusive and shifty in space, Eckley gets open with crisp routes off of sharp cuts. He's comfortable lining up in different spots within the formation, working the middle or stretching the field down the sideline.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1840134"],"_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-68a5efd362cf2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Oropeza posted 26.0 total tackles in only five games played as a junior in 2024. He was credited with 16 solo stops and a fumble recovery. He also chipped in as a running back and on special teams. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23227410/6730e2910c37e89ce4e2a9fe">11th-grade highlight video</a> reveals an active athlete on the second level of the Tornadoes defense. Oropeza gets a jump on the competition by diagnosing what's coming during pre-snap reads and then flows well to the football. He's adept at shedding blocks and getting to the ball carrier. Oropeza embraces the game's physicality and plays through the whistle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1840151"],"_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-68a5f24e15e3e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kabongo put together a productive junior campaign in 2024. He was credited with 23.5 total tackles, 17 of which were solo stops. He also picked off three passes and delivered 2.0 tackles for loss. Those statistics speak to his versatility in the secondary. We see them when we pop on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17635359/67b7655662710798a16d41c8">11th-grade highlight video</a>. The first clip shows him identifying a running play and fighting off a block to make a tackle. Kabongo looks fluid in coverage, smoothly changing directions to stick on receivers. His long arms and recovery speed help him handle a variety of offensive threats. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->