Scouting Reports: OABCIG Falcons 2025

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HULL -- </strong>OABCIG went on the road for its Class 2A first round playoff matchup with Western Christian last Friday, handling the Wolf Pack and moving onto the second round. They'll play Kuemper Catholic this week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1197438"],"_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-6900e256d8646"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the top prospects in the state of Iowa, it's easy to see why [player_tooltip player_id='1197438' first='Jaxx' last='DeJean'] is coveted by several Midwest Power 4 programs, holding offers from Iowa, Kansas State and Michigan. From the moment he steps on the field, one's mind from a scouting perspective immediately thinks "That's different."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a large frame that maintains athleticism and burst, DeJean possesses a wide catch radius, the ability to run crisp routes that get him open whenever he wants and the physical strength to manhandle his assignment as a blocker in the run game. DeJean ran a smooth hitch route on 3rd and goal from the six, breaking it off at the top of the route and moving to the corner of the endzone away from the DB for the touchdown reception. He also caught a go-route score on a deep shot following one of OABCIG's three interceptions last Friday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1242843"],"_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-6900e256d86fc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Speaking of interceptions, senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1242843' first='Jack' last='Gilbert'] had one of the more important takeaways of the day against Western Christian. Lining up in the middle of the field as a spy, Gilbert read the quarterback's eyes, faded to his left and snagged a pick over the middle to flip the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He took the pick back 20 yards and set up a score for the Falcons, and he added four tackles against the Wolf Pack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1198827"],"_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-6900e256d8788"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Holding down quarterback duties for the Falcons, lefty gunslinger [player_tooltip player_id='1198827' first='Raif' last='Jensen'] adds a different dynamic to the QB spot that OABCIG hasn't had since the middle DeJean brother, Beckett was under center in Ida Grove. A mobile quarterback that can take off at any time, Jensen forces opposing defenses to account for him in the run game. He showed why twice against the Wolf Pack, taking off for a run of 70+ yards inside the five of Western Christian and a score from 52 yards out. His lateral quickness and ability to make defenders miss makes him a difficult tackle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a passer, Jensen has clearly cultivated some chemistry with DeJean as his go-to receiver when searching for the endzone. On the hitch route to his big wideout, Jensen put the ball where only DeJean could go get it, perfectly placed on his outside and away from the defensive back. On the deep shot, Jensen recognized one-on-one coverage and found DeJean for the easy score. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Likely projected as a defensive back to the next level, Jensen also plays safety for the Falcons. He registered six tackles on Friday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"JJ Parks","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"151","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"OABCIG","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6900e256d88ad"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A small, speedy receiver in the slot, JJ Parks stands at just 5-foot-9 and 151 pounds, but his impact on the game is much larger than his physical frame. An excellent compliment to DeJean's physical size, Parks is a small wideout that uses his quickness to deceive defensive backs as a pass-catcher and does the same to opposing quarterbacks as a DB.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With two catches for 18 yards, it's was a bit of surprise to see him not be as much of a factor in the passing game. A Kaden Wetjen-type that can be a high-level returner, a receiver that can get open, make opposing teams pay in the open field, and that <em>could </em>be a threat in an end-around, jet sweep type of play, Parks' biggest strength is his speed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He showed that speed in zone defense on Friday night, dropping back and reading a pass from Western Christian like a book, flying in and making an uber-athletic snag for his first pick of the year. He also led OABCIG in tackles with 6.5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1242845"],"_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-6900e256d8904"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A player we've written about previously this season, [player_tooltip player_id='1242845' first='Kade' last='Spotts'] is brings a toughness, grit and energy that team's need to win games in the playoffs. A tone-setter on the offensive and defensive side of the ball, expect Spotts to make big hits as a middle linebacker and to deliver punishment as a ball-carrier. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As aggressive at hitting the hole on defense as he is on offense, Spotts plays with an emotion that is infectious for his team. One of my personal favorite northwest Iowa prospects, Spotts is a workhorse back between the tackles that will make defenses pay for trying to bring him down, will lead block for his quarterback out of the backfield, will take on anyone from the opposing team no matter their size, and, displayed further his willingness and ability to do anything to help his team win on Friday, making an impressive, one-handed catch out of the backfield on 4th and 10 to score a touchdown. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->