Iowa 3A Way-Too-Early 2026 Title Contender: Carroll

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An early look at some of the top teams in each class, starting with Class 3A. We'll profile several programs that look to return the talent necessary to compete for a state championship in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/12/iowa-3a-way-too-early-2026-title-contenders-sioux-center/">Iowa 3A Way-Too-Early 2026 Title Contenders: Sioux Center</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/12/iowa-3a-way-too-early-2026-title-contenders-clear-lake/">Iowa 3A Way-Too-Early 2026 Title Contenders: Clear Lake</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/12/iowa-3a-way-too-early-2026-title-contenders-solon/">Iowa 3A Way-Too-Early 2026 Title Contenders: Solon</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><b>O</b><strong>ffense:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Led by <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/12/all-state-teams-iowa-class-3a-offense/">All-State </a>running back, [player_tooltip player_id='1656855' first='Adam' last='Malik'] who will return for his final season of high school ball, the Tigers will look for revenge after finishing 6-4 last season. Falling by just seven points by eventual state champion, Nevada in the first round of the playoffs, Carroll returns a good chunk of their squad that won five-straight games after starting the regular season 1-3. All of their losses came in one-score games, to boot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of course, everything surrounds Malik offensively, who finished the year with 207 carries for 1,514 yards and 18 touchdowns, averaging 7.3 yards per carry. One of the most productive running backs in the state as a junior, Malik hopes to improve his numbers in year four with the Tigers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Starting quarterback, Camden King also returns, after he completed 56 passes for 789 yards and nine touchdowns through the air, also taking 89 carries for 442 yards and three scores. His top two targets, Chase Schable and Lincoln Burke also return after combining for 22 catches, 246 yards and three touchdowns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defense:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It won't be quite the same defensively for Carroll, as the Tigers lose their top three tacklers and their leader in interceptions from this past season, but they've got some pieces that should provide some encouragement going into a new season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the positive side of things, though, number two in interceptions for the Tigers, Tallon Crandall returns after snagging four picks in 2025. Plus, both Schable and Burke are also back on the defensive side of the ball after combining for 63.5 tackles as last season. On the defensive line, both [player_tooltip player_id='1399695' first='Myles' last='Pudenz'] and Cayden Lueders are back after finishing with a total 35 tackles, including 7.5 tackles-for-loss and 2.5 sacks between the two of them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->