Scouting Reports: State Semis 3A Guys on the Rise

<!-- 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>Prep Redzone Iowa was in the house for all of last week's state semifinals. Please check out the front page of the site for recaps, reactions and photo galleries from the games, eight-player through Class 5A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now that I'm back at my desk, I'm going through my mental rolodex of what I witnessed. The results will be a "Guys on the Rise" series of fresh scouting reports from what I saw.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's tackle 3A today:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1269122"],"_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-691cacfadeb6f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We've been ranking Favors as a running back here at Prep Redzone Iowa. And that certainly is an option on the next level for the talented Crusader senior. He was the team's leading rusher in a state semifinal victory against Wahlert Catholic at the UNI-Dome. Favors also stood out as one of the team's top performers on defense. He finished with six tackles, an interception, a pass breakup and a fumble recovery. He entered the state championship with 45.5 tackles (29 solo, 10.0 TFL) and 3.5 sacks in 2025. Favors shows smooth actions and physicality with his play in the secondary. Safety is probably his best fit on the next level but slot corner might also work. With the college recruiting clock fluid because of the transfer portal, Favors is a guy who could help a lot of programs as a steal late in the process.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2053861"],"_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-691cc65faa9ca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hope was someone I wasn't very familiar with heading into the state semifinals at the UNI-Dome, but he announced his presence in the win against defending champion Wahlert Catholic. The junior impacted the game on defense and special teams. Hope contributed 5.0 tackles (3 solo), intercepted a pass and broke up another throw. He made life difficult for a talented group of Golden Eagle receivers for most of the night. Perhaps no play in the game was bigger than his 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the third quarter. It put Heelan up by two scores. He also had a 10-yard punt return. Hope is a multi-phase contributor that should be attractive to college programs, especially with reduced roster sizes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1616422"],"_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-691cc95330671"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After serving as the backup on last year's undefeated state championship team, Elbert took over the controls of the 2025 Golden Eagle offense. The title team was hit hard by graduation losses, and the junior signal caller was a key performer in getting Wahlert Catholic back to The Dome. In the semifinals against a stringy Bishop Heelan defense, Elbert kept his team in the game with his dual threat ability. He threw for 133 yards, adding a team-high 98 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Elbert is a good athlete with quickness and speed. A baseball player with the strong arm, it makes sense to keep developing as a quarterback. But his skill set and abilities could work at other positions on the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1242280"],"_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-691ccf2444d52"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Solon said after its loss to Nevada in the state semifinals at the UNI-Dome that the difference was the pressure the Cubs applied off of the edge. Nelson led the way in that regard with 6.0 tackles (3 solo, 2.0 TFL), two sacks and a pair of quarterback hurries. On numerous plays where he didn't record add to his statistica, he was pushing the pocket and making the Spartans uncomfortable. Nelson is a long-limbed end with burst off of the outside. Also a college prospect in basketball, his frame is capable of taking on plenty of good weight. With that and an ability to develop his football skills if he focuses full time on that sport at the next level, the potential here is significant.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1685816"],"_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-691cd167d6653"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One half of a defensive end tandem that's played a huge role in the Cubs reaching the state championship game, Smith delivered during a semifinal win against favored Solon as he had all season. Colorado School of the Mines scored an impressive commitment from the senior with a very high ceiling. I'm writing about his exploits on defense here because of his length, strength and burst off of the edge. That his college pledge is as a tight end speaks to his overall athleticism and potential. His frame can comfortably add good weight. If offense doesn't work out on the next level, he could easily flip to D-End and develop into a difference maker. Smith is going into the championship game with 14.0 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks and a pair of fumble recoveries. He's also caught 18 passes, including two touchdowns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1693683"],"_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-691cd34ea1233"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I scouted Milliman during the regular season. His versatility and athleticism impressed. It was good getting another in-person look at him during the 3A state semifinals against Nevada. On a rough night for the Spartans, he delivered with a hard-earned 51-yard touchdown grab among his three receptions. Milliman also contributed 2.0 tackles, a half tackle for loss and a pass breakup. It's a well-rounded skill set that makes him a prospect on both sides of the ball with the added bonus of production on special teams. His frame still has room to fill out and add strength as well. Milliman finished 2025 with 32 receptions for 463 yards and three touchdowns. He had 14 solo tackles, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and three interceptions. He's being under-recruited right now relative to his ability and potential. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->