Scouting Reports: Linn-Mar Lions 2025

<!-- 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/2025/10/photo-gallery-linn-mar-at-iowa-city-west/">Photo Gallery: Linn-Mar at Iowa City West</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><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></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>IOWA CITY, Iowa -</strong> A rollercoaster season for Linn-Mar came to a close here on Friday night with a 42-14 loss to Iowa City West. The Lions had won four games in a row coming into this contest, including a victory the week before against heavily-favored Cedar Falls. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some of Linn-Mar's inconsistency can be attributed to inexperience. The starting quarterback was a sophomore. The good news is that many of those guys return in 2026, when the Lions could very well make another push for the postseason. They will need to overcome some notable graduation losses, however.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1987562"],"_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-68ffabe9ae050"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I was interested in getting a look at the sophomore signal caller when pulling up to watch the Lions line up at Iowa City West on Oct. 24, 2025. He was posting solid numbers, and the team's performance was improving as the season progressed. Against an aggressive defense on the Trojans' senior night, Roling held up well. He showed poise under pressure and delivered passes that showed off arm strength and accuracy. Ability in keeping plays alive off schedule, combined with all-out talent as a runner chewing up yards on the ground, pressured the opponent. Roling's skill set is interesting, made more so by his youth. He has room to grow and mature before reaching his ceiling. Roling completed over 60 percent of his throws this season for 888 yards and seven touchdown against two interceptions. He ran for 234 yards and seven more scores.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1616449"],"_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-68ffabe9ae0d3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Getting a chance to see Navarro match up with West High mauler [player_tooltip player_id='1238174' first='Colin' last='Whitters'] was entertaining. The Trojan senior is off to Iowa after the season, while Navarro returns for another prep campaign. Whitters doesn't lose many reps on this level, but the Lion junior held up well and stood to a draw on a number of occasions. The West High all-stater was at least challenged, which doesn't happen often. Navarro's ability to match up from a power standpoint bodes well for his future. He's a strong customer with a frame that can add more of it with maturity and training. Navarro is aided by long arms along with athleticism and quickness. The skill set will play up if he can continuing developing at defensive tackle. He recently visited Illinois State but is being under-recruited relative to ability. Navarro completed his 11th-grade year with 14 solo tackles and 4.5 stops for loss. He also recovered a fumble. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1241408"],"_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-68ffabe9ae139"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Potter impressed me when I was watching his junior highlight video during this past offseason. I <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/check-out-these-iowa-2026s-you-dont-want-to-miss/">wrote about</a> what I saw and looked forward to, hopefully, seeing him compete live this fall. That opportunity arrived on Oct. 24, 2025 when Potter and the Lions made the trip south to take on Iowa City West. He'd be going against an aggressive and athletic edge rusher for the Trojans. Potter performed admirably during a game where Linn-Mar quickly fell behind by a lot. Potter held his concentration and paved the way for the Lions to keep moving the ball against the home team. He's technically sound with slick feet in pass protection. Using his hands well in that facet of blocking along with in the running game, Potter looked like a mature offensive lineman. His frame appears to have room for adding mass and strength, which could allow for position flexibility on the next level. Potter is college capable with potential for impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1361354"],"_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-68ffabe9ae19f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">My attention first was directed at Merrill's teammate on the opposite end of his right offensive tackle spot, but the junior also stood out when I watched Linn-Mar take on Iowa City West on Oct. 24, 2025. Bringing long arms and a frame capable of adding significant mass and strength, Merrill has a chance to reach his potential as a college player. Already winning a lot of battles in the prep ranks, Merrill succeeds more with quickness and athleticism right now. He moves well and has a good feel for how to utilize his hands in keeping D-Linemen at bay. Merrill is steady and consistent, not often getting beat by mistakes. He's definitely a prospect worthy of recruiting attention, and it will be interesting how he performs should he attend college team camps in the summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1198824"],"_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-68ffabe9ae200"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Turner is a bowling ball with legs. And that's meant as a compliment. He rumbled for 674 yards (5.1 YPC) and four touchdowns this season in large part with power. His legs churn and defenders bounce off them with regularity. Turner is more than just a bruiser, however. He has some wiggle to his game, shaking the opposition with sharp cuts. His vision is keen, too, helping find running lanes. Turner has an extra gear or two when he hits the openings. While the Lions don't throw much to him, his effectiveness in protection and blitz pickup aid their passing game. Turner should get out to college team camps this summer. He'd put to rest any concerns about his frame holding up on the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1616447"],"_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-68ffabe9ae264"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Heideman's sophomore highlight video impressed me this past offseason, when<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/in-the-film-room-with-2027s-ready-for-takeoff/"> I filed a report</a> about the Linn-Mar defensive lineman. I then had an opportunity to watch him play in person when the Lions took on Iowa City West on Oct. 24, 2025. That live scout backed up the tape, and he also showed maturity since last season. Heideman had refined his technique and filled out physically. It allowed for more power in his game to go along with the quickness and athleticism on display during his 10th-grade campaign. Heideman gets off of the snap well and finds ways to beat tackles getting around the outside or by slipping inside. He produced this year, leading the squad in tackles for loss (6.0) and sacks (4.0). Heideman has a chance to keep developing on the edge with a skill set that could work at outside linebacker in a 3-4 alignment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->