Scouting Ball Hawks Flying High 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/prep-redzone-iowa-week-4-team-rankings/">Prep Redzone Iowa Week 4 Team Rankings</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Friday's games will put us over the halfway point of the regular-season. The campaign is flying by, as it usually does.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prospects from around the state are shining brightly under the Friday night lights. Here's a group of guys in the secondary raising their profiles with ball-hawking tendencies:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1906706"],"_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-68d4192f50041"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Whitcomb has broken out in 2025 after a sophomore campaign that saw him fit in nicely as a role player. This fall, he ranks among the state's leaders with three interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. He also was credited with a pass defended and had allowed only one completion in man coverage through the first three weeks. Whitcomb contributed six receptions for 119 yards and a score as well. In watching highlights from his first three games, we see a prospect with a high football IQ, athleticism to capitalize on what he's diagnosing and physicality to be impactful in the secondary. Whitcomb is one to watch moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1906865"],"_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-68d4340d26cd1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Olsen made an impact as a sophomore in 2024 and has returned with more contributions this fall. His versatility and well-rounded set of skills stand out for the Lion 11th-grader. After intercepting three passes, catching a touchdown and chipping in on special teams a year ago, Olsen has intercepted a pass and been credited with three passes defended in '25. He has 15 solo tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss and a sack. On offense, he's caught 17 balls for 213 yards and a score. In the video available of Olsen on his Hudl page, we witness him sticking an opponent in run support and blowing by the defense for a long TD catch. Olsen operates well in space with his quickness and speed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1906898"],"_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-68d439e8dc2fe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Maki played an important role for a Cardinal team that reached the postseason a year ago. He's raised that level of play and became even more impactful as a senior in 2025. A well-rounded member of the secondary, Maki has collected 28.5 tackles, 27 of which are of the solo variety. He leads Newton with three interceptions and has been credited with a pass defended. Viewing his clips from this season on his Hudl page, Maki flashes traits that should make him attractive to colleges. One play has him following a receiver across the formation and reading what's coming before the snap, which led to a pick. Maki flips his hips well in coverage and can run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1906933"],"_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-68d43dd7a6efb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Johnston has reloaded well after losing key pieces to graduation following last season. The 3-1 start to the campaign was aided by guys like Baade who stepped in with key contributions as a first-year varsity contributors. He intercepted a pair of passes and totaled 10.0 tackles with eight of them being solo. When <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18261344/68ca15170b363e17e9d8b6f9">watching his highlights </a>from the first three weeks of the season, the first clip shows a quick pre-snap read leading to a pick against a veteran Valley QB. His second interception comes as the result of diagnosing a play after that ball is snapped. Baade could fit as a slot corner or a safety on the next level, where he'd also be an asset on special teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1906966"],"_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-68d443df58413"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Koppes played a role on defense and special team for the Prairie Hawks as a sophomore in 2024. He's returned with those lessons leading to more production this fall. Koppes has 24.0 tackles, 22 of which are solo stops. He also has contributed 4.0 tackles for loss and a pair of interceptions. Koppes' video highlights from this season reveal a student-athlete capable of sticking at linebacker on the next level, but there could be college programs viewing him as a safety or hybrid. He's athletic and fast enough to run in coverage and possesses the physicality to shine in run support. He also offers potential for key production on special teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1906979"],"_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-68d446283d312"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Allen honed his skills on the freshman squad last season. He's put those lessons to good use as a 10th-grader in 2025. Allen contributed 17.0 tackles through the team's first four games, including 16 stops that were solo. He also intercepted a pair of passes. Allen is a dynamic athlete with speed, which he showed as a returner last year, when he was also one of his squad's most dangerous receivers. With the need at cornerback on this campaign's varsity roster, Allen has shown an ability to stick in coverage and support the run. Only midway through his second year of high school, he's definitely one to monitor moving forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->