Early-Season, Pop-Up Prospects in Iowa

<!-- 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><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/09/weigh-in-wednesday-who-is-class-5as-top-qb/">Weigh-In Wednesday: Who is Class 5A's Top QB?</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Through Week 3 of the 2025 season, outstanding performances abound across Iowa. Every Friday brings a new set of results worthy of attention. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Part of that production arrives courtesy of student-athletes on everybody's radar. Then there are those guys introducing themselves or raising their profiles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are six players fitting that description:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1671624"],"_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-68cc10b48f634"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I came across Blanshan's freshman highlights from 2024 during this past offseason. Impressed with his advanced game and potential as a ninth-grader, he was tabbed as one to watch this year. So far, so good for the J-Hawk sophomore. Blanshan had collected 32.0 tackles (27 solo, 1.0 TFL). He forced and recovered a fumble as well. Watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19713974/68b3b769db7bcab9217e3112">highlights from the season-opener against Dallas Center-Grimes</a>, he looks to have taken steps forward with recognition and physicality. His height, long arms and speed from sideline to sideline make him a modern-day inside linebacker capable of stuffing the run or sticking with tight ends/receivers in coverage. Blanshan is an exciting prospect just scratching the surface of what he can become.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1895238"],"_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-68cc14bf16d67"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McGovern waited his turn to take the controls at Waterloo West and apparently prepared well for the opportunity. After throwing one pass last season, McGovern ranks among the Class 5A quarterback leaders in most statistical categories. He's completed 39 of 53 throws for 613 yards and seven touchdowns without an interception. He added a rushing score. McGovern has wisely posted highlights from his first three games of 2025 on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17845019/Brett-McGovern/highlights">Hudl page</a>, as he's a senior trying to make up ground on the recruiting trail. McGovern stands out for his ball placement on attempts down the field. He drops it in the bucket, as the old-timers say. Definitely a signal caller that prefers to operate from the pocket, McGovern can keep plays alive off schedule with his legs and pick up yards when there's an opening.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1617589"],"_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-68cc1795b272e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cooper flashed potential last season during the Rams' march to a fourth consecutive Class 4A state title. With graduation losses from that squad, the junior has stepped up his game early in 2025. Cooper has rushed for 449 yards (10.0 YPC) and three touchdowns. He's posted several clips from the season so far on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19409304/Stanley-Cooper/highlights">Hudl page</a>. They stand out for his ability to break big plays. During a 30-yard touchdown run, he picks his way through tackles up the middle before hitting the jets. Cooper shows us a 71-yard scamper against Liberty where he gets through traffic before finding another gear. Then, there's a 13-yard run where he leans on power and physicality. Cooper's recruiting stock should be on the rise. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1895319"],"_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-68cc1a20799df"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">De Jager did not record any statistics for the Lynx varsity in 2024. He's making up for lost time so far this fall. De Jager has hauled in 18 balls for 335 yards and three touchdowns, putting him among the 5A leaders in all of those categories through the first three weeks. With coveted height and long arms at the position, De Jager gives his quarterback a big target. He can be trusted to win contested balls with his skills and athletic ability. De Jager runs crisp routes with the speed and movements to outrun or make opponents miss. I'm looking forward to seeing more film on De Jager. He's an intriguing prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1570267"],"_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-68cc1ebc4a455"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Collins got his feet wet with 12 carries for the Black Raiders varsity in 2024. Thrusted into a bigger role this fall, he's shined with more opportunity. Collins has carried 62 times for 367 yards (5.9 YPC). Showing off his versatility, he's added six receptions for 60 yards and a touchdown. His Hudl page houses a <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/27205511/68beec74c5193763f885739a">highlight video</a> from the Norwalk game, won by East, 23-13. The first clip has him scoring off a screen pass, when he makes a few guys miss and accelerates through traffic. Collins' ability to stick his foot in the ground and quickly change directions stands out as does his burst. He can run with power and shows good vision. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1895361"],"_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-68cc248f49e98"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Taking over the reins from a D-I prospect, Brown has acquitted himself well as the Wildcats' new QB1. He's completed 57.9 percent of his throws for 644 yards and seven touchdowns against three interceptions. He's also contributed 146 yards (6.3 YPC) on the ground. Brown has posted highlights from each game through the first three weeks of the 2025 season housed on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18228884/Neil-Brown/highlights">Hudl page</a>. Arm strength is not a concern. Brown can make all of the throws and deeps balls are delivered with accuracy. With speed and mobility, Brown can create with his legs. That said, he prefers the pocket and is packed with potential as a prospect. His stock is rising. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->