Scouting Iowa 2027s with Growth Potential

<!-- 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>Every season is important for prep football players with aspirations of playing on the next level. It would be hard to argue any of them are more critical in the recruiting process than junior year, however.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at a half dozen Iowa 2027s that can raise their stock in 2025:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1640412"],"_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-68a8ffdba0fed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wailes stood out as a sophomore in 2024. He totaled 67.0 tackles (52 solo, 4.5 TFL) and added a sack. Wailes earned first-team all-district honors and set the stage for impacting the action even more this season. During his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18530410/672d8425ca23f9e56bb01ad8">10th-grade highlight video</a>, we witness how Wailes gets the job done. Wailes is a force at middle linebacker, operating with physicality. The offensive players feel his presence during the collisions. Wailes plays fast, getting pre-snaps reads that put him in position to pounce. He then flies to the football when he sees a lane for a tackle. His tempo makes it tough to keep him blocked.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1848693"],"_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-68aa27c5abfa9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Himba experienced ups and downs as a sophomore in 2024 but flashed potential for breaking out this season. At the very least, expect a statistical spike from the five combined passing and rushing touchdowns Himba recorded a year ago. He also missed the first four weeks of the campaign after tearing his MCL in Week 0. During his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19838607/672fe0273a19e7562d98b5ac">10th-grade highlight video</a>, a polished performer at a young age emerges. Himba sells play-fakes well and can get the ball down the field. He stands out for ball placement, putting it where only his guy can make a play and hitting guys in stride for yards after catch. Himba is one to watch this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1848817"],"_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-68aa313bebc75"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Swager came up with 30.5 tackles as a sophomore in 2024. Of those stops, 23 were solo. There's a limited amount of footage on Swager's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19838683/Tate-Swager/highlights">Hudl page</a>. What is housed there reveals an intriguing free safety prospect. Swager diagnoses plays quickly and effectively. His height and long arms help him in pass coverage, allowing him to challenge jump balls. He also gets downhill in a hurry in the running game. Swager already packs a punch when he hits the ball carrier with plenty of time to grow into more power. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1848964"],"_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-68aa4c4c8a920"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Connor hauled in 25 passes for 259 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He added a rushing score as well. On defense, Conner delivered a couple of solo tackles and an interception. We can witness how he gets the job done when viewing his<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19863033/672c0064ea00f6f83ae2a9cb"> junior highlight video</a>. Conner looks comfortable and is effective operating out of the slot. He uses his frame to box out defenders and runs crisps routes as another method to lose them. Conner can make people miss in the open field and has speed to sprint away from the opposition. He also would be a special teams' asset on the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1849067"],"_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-68aa6801f05bb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Heitz paced the Comets with 48.5 tackles as a sophomore last season. Twenty one of the stops were solo, and he had 1.5 tackles for loss. He also carried the ball once and returned a kick, perhaps foreshadowing an expanded role for him as a junior. We can witness signs of that potential when watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20018042/671fedb50d05f27b6133be54">10th-grade highlight video</a>. Heitz is a bulldog in the middle of the defense's second level, flowing well to the football, fighting off blocks and getting to the ball. A combination of quickness and operating with optimal leverage help Heitz succeed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1850790"],"_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-68ab742e489f3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ouahbi rushed for 217 yards as a sophomore last season. He added 24.5 tackles, 17 of which were of the solo variety. Ouahbi's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18440746/Nadir-Ouahbi/highlights">Hudl page</a> does not include a highlight video but does house footage from individual games during her 10th-grade season. Those clips reveal a ball carrier with an intriguing skill set. Keen vision leads him to the open creases, and he hits the hole hard. Ouahbi looks like he's gliding as a taller back. He'll need to be aware of running too upright, but his frame also is capable of adding mass without him losing the traits that make him successful now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->