Iowa’s Freshman Standouts of 2025:

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Through the 2025 season, while we've covered numerous prospects that have garnered plenty of attention and have made plenty of noise to already warrant our attention, it also introduced us a new batch of underclassmen players, the members of the class of 2029, and several of those players have already proved their worthiness on the gridiron to demand attention within that class going forward over the next 3 seasons. We reveal 8 of the top freshman players from Iowa in 2025!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1909617"],"_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-6925ff88d3c96"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">His older brother Jayden stood out last season as a top WR/DB for the Wildcats, and Grayson would showcase that talent on the gridiron runs in the blood. Lloyd finished 2nd on the team with 586 receiving yards on 31 receptions (18.9 YPC) and a team-high 8 receiving TDs as a freshman. On defense, he added 33 tackles (28 solo), 1 TFL, 1 FF, and 2 fumble recoveries. Grayson possesses a lot of similar traits to that of his older brother, including great hands, top-end speed, and overall athleticism that has allowed him to shine on both offense and defense much like his brother. The dynamic duo will have one more season to play as teammates as Jayden enters his senior year in 2026, and it will be hard for opposing teams to account for both of these guys in the lineup. </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":"Kinnik Ritchie","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"165","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Easton Valley","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-6925ff88d3d65"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing at both TE and DE, Kinnik Ritchie seemed unassuming on the field, but he played a huge role as the River Hawks' enjoyed their highest win total since 2021 last season. On offense, Ritchie caught 25 passes for 363 yards and 5 TDs. On defense, Ritchie recorded 39.5 tackles (31 solo), 12 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception returned for a TD. In the passing game, the biggest aspect of his success that I saw was his ability to improvise and react when his QB starts moving out of the pocket, constantly looking to create space as the QB extends the play to get open, which in turned accounted for some big yardage for the offense. Defensively, Ritchie sets the edge well, maintaining good balance and length to outreach blockers and keep the ball-carrier from getting around him. Ritchie will have time to grow in size, and he will be quite an asset for the River Hawks going forward as they will look to continue their positive progression over the last 3 seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1942262"],"_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-6925ff88d3db7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1942262' first='Griffin' last='Mohr'] has quickly caught our eyes as a stud out of the 8-man league. Mohr finished his freshman season with 45 tackles (29 solo), 13.5 TFLs, 8.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery returned for a TD. Mohr is an excellent speed rusher with a solid base and great lower body strength, using that to drive his blockers back to disrupt both the pass and the run. It is best not to leave him unblocked, as he will quickly find the ball-carrier and slam into him to try to jam the ball out. Mohr should become a household name within this conference over the next few seasons. </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":"Lucas Minor","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"240","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Bedford","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-6925ff88d3e46"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Several freshmen on the trenches stood out big time within the 8-man league last year, and Lucas Minor was among the very best of an impressive underclassmen group. Minor finished with 33 tackles (28 solo), 13 TFLs, and 7 sacks. Also starting at Guard, Minor played a huge role for a run offense that tied for the 4th most rushing TDs in the conference (57). A stout lineman with a strong lower base, Minor shows solid balance and agility to kick out and open for a pass block. On the defensive line, he uses that agility and speed to win his reps as an edge-rusher, creating chaos within the pocket that has already made him a nightmare for QBs to go against. As Bedford continues to shine as a powerhouse in the 8-man league over the last 3 years, Minor will look to grow as a central piece on the trenches to uphold their standing as contenders in the conference. </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":"Turner DeRossett","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"145","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"West Marshall","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-6925ff88d3ecc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Despite his smaller statue, DeRossett had a huge role for the Trojans' secondary as a freshman. DeRossett finished with 39 tackles (25 solo), 6 TFLs, 1 sack, and 3 interceptions last season while adding a TD run on offense. A quick athlete who's track speed translates well on the gridiron, DeRossett has been able to keep up with quicker receivers while also showing good timing on his jumps to get in front of the pass and take it the other way. DeRossett should continue to flash going forward as a nickel DB while also potentially seeing more playing time in the backfield going forward as well. </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":"Joe Kielman ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"150","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"West Marshall","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-6925ff88d3f53"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Staying in West Marshall, Joe Kielman has also stood out as a legitimate stud for the Trojans' defense during his freshman year. Kielman co-led the team with 70.5 tackles (44 solo), 14 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, and 2 interceptions. His smaller size may not suggest that he could dominate in the box, but he shows really good tackling form, driving from the lower body, and in turn, being able to drive ball-carriers backwards pretty well as a result. Kielman does a great job working against the outside-zone runs as well as limiting QB scramble-runs, and he also showcased plenty of big play ability, being able to force turnovers that could turn the tide for his team. The Trojans will have some great leaders on the defense to build around going forward. </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":"Gabe Kaufman","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"155","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Creston","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-6925ff88d3fd4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Creston relied heavily on a diverse backfield which consisted of 3 RBs who hit over 500+ rushing yards this season, with one of those being freshman Gabe Kaufman. Kaufman ran for 593 yards and 5 TDs, averaging 7 yards per carry while also catching 7 passes for 60 yards. Kaufman's testing numbers don't seem to make him a presumably fast RB, but he's impressively quick with the ball in his hands, utilizing good vision and a sneaky first cut to find space to break away for good chunk yardage. Kaufman will enter his sophomore season as Creston's lead back, although he will still continue to share carries with QB [player_tooltip player_id='1844844' first='Tanner' last='Ray'], but he is bound to receive a much bigger workload next season with how well he did with the reps he got. </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":"Lincoln Walsworth","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"240","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Cedar Falls","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-6925ff88d4050"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The lone offensive-line prospect on the list, Walsworth saw limited reps on varsity last season, but he shined on JV as an OT who has the makings of becoming a legitimate stud of a prospect going forward. Playing at both Left and Right Tackle, Walsworth already has the size and frame to fit the mold for the position, and he will have plenty of time to develop into size. A steady blocker who keeps his balance and doesn't get driven back easily, Walsworth already shows great mechanics as a pass protector and opening up the run. Walsworth is bound to receive serious playing time entering his sophomore year, and he should see his name rise in the rankings greatly upon our next update. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->