Scouting Reports: Iowa City West 2025

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/prep-redzone-iowa-week-8-team-rankings/">Prep Redzone Iowa Week 8 Team Rankings</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/weigh-in-wednesday-who-is-top-player-in-iowa/">Weigh-In Wednesday: Who is Top Player in Iowa?</a>   CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Iowa City West made the trek up I-380 Friday night for a matchup with Cedar Rapids Prairie here at John Wall Stadium. The Trojans did a lot of good things in the game, but in the end, came up short, 45-31.   At 6-2 heading into this week's regular-season finale against Linn-Mar, West still has plenty for which to play. The Trojans will celebrate their seniors and ready for the playoffs with a roster filled with playmakers.    Few players that I've scouted have made more progress than has Headings during the last few years. A skinnier, raw player as a sophomore developed into one of the state's top receivers. He's also a difference maker as a defensive back. That all was on display when I scouted him again against Cedar Rapids Prairie on Oct. 17, 2025. The senior caught two passes for 36 yards, the attention he commanded opening up teammates. He also proved to be a willing and very able blocker. On defense, he delivered four solo tackles and intercepted a pass. Headings is a super athlete with speed and size. He's been under-recruited. Give North Dakota credit in seeing the talent and securing his commitment ahead of offers from Northern Iowa, Army and Air Force. Headings will be an impact player on the FCS level, and that should happen early in his college career.     We've had Manson ranked among the top players in the 2026 class for years, and the Trojan standout has solidified that position with his performance on the field. An impact player on both sides of the ball, basically since he was a freshman, Manson has added physicality to the high-end athleticism that's always been present. He put his talents on display again during an in-person scouting opportunity on Oct. 17, 2025 at Cedar Rapids Prairie. Manson hauled in a 77-yard touchdown pass, during which he did much of the work. He also piled up 9.0 tackles (6 solo, 1.0 TFL). Beyond the impressive statistics he's amassed during his prep career, Manson just looks like a special athlete when he's playing the game. His solid frame, speed and instincts for the sport will serve him well at the University of Iowa. The Hawkeyes will be benefit greatly from him staying home.     If tasked with coming up with one word that describes Whitters, it would be, without question, nasty. He's just nasty when playing the game. There's no let-up or slowdown. If you're an opponent lining up across from him, buckle up, it's going to be a long night that won't end until the final horn. Of course, Whitters can operate that way because of his frame and strength. He's just bigger and stronger than most other guys at this level, which was readily apparent when I scouted him again during the Oct. 17, 2025 game against Cedar Rapids Prairie. Whitters was throwing guys around like rag dolls and finishing plays through the whistle. The University of Iowa should be a great fit for his game. He'll be able to maul in the middle of the line, and his agility and athleticism give him a chance to be impactful on the next level.     Janis probably won't scare a lot of opponents getting off of the bus. It's once he steps between the lines that they realize there's going to be a problem. The Trojan senior flashed that talent and production again during an in-person scout on Oct. 17, 2025, when West faced Prairie in Cedar Rapids. He rushed 23 times for 140 yards and a touchdown, and caught a pair of passes for 34 yards. On defense, Janis produced 5.5 tackles (3 solo, 1.0 TFL). Toughness is Janis' carrying tool. He just sticks his nose into the action wherever he lines up on the field. That's not to say there's a lack of skills and ability. Janis looks natural as a running back, flowing with the play and making good decisions. His athletic explosion also works well on defense, where he could fit nicely at safety in plenty of college systems.     I looked forward to the first in-person scout of Wheeler when the Trojans took on Prairie on Oct. 17, 2025 in Cedar Rapids. I'd heard good things and liked what I saw on film. The junior did not disappointment. While first-year varsity starter miscues still occur, the consistency is coming and the play-making ability is evident. While I might stop short of calling Wheeler a dual-threat quarterback, as he prefers to sling it from the pocket, he certainly can inflict damage on an opponent with his legs. Whether that be on designed runs, scrambling for yards or keeping pass plays alive off of schedule, Wheeler regularly avoids the defense. While he doesn't have a cannon on his right shoulder, he can make all of the throws. He averaged 24.6 yards on his 10 completions in this contest, with two touchdowns and two picks. He also scored on the ground. Wheeler is a prospect worth monitoring moving forward, one with a chance to impress on the camp circuit this spring and summer.     Zioka wasn't someone I anticipated writing before attending West's game at Cedar Rapids Prairie on Oct. 17, 2025. The Trojans have a lot of high-end talent on their roster who are deserving of coverage. Zioka's performance justified highlighting him, however. In watching Prairie star and Hawkeye commit [player_tooltip player_id='1361747' first='David' last='Fason'] operating on the D-Line, the guy often matching up with him caught my attention. A bit on the shorter side for a right tackle, Zioka succeeds with solid footwork, a strong base, strength up top and sound fundamentals. Credited with three pancake blocks in this contest, he can move people in the run game. Zioka also sets up well in pass protection. Athleticism and agility allow for blocking in space and on the move. Keep an eye on this kid moving forward.

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