All-State Teams: Iowa Class 4A Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/prep-redzone-iowa-2025-mr-football-elite-all-state/">Elite All-State Team</a> taken care of, we'll spend the month of December handing out Class All-State awards. Now, we move to the defensive side of the ball in 4A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In writing these articles, we want to cast a wider net, expanding on the names that have already been established as the best of the best across classes, so we won't repeat names that were already listed on the Elite Team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DEFENSIVE LINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1619389' first='Kenyon' last='Purnell'], SR, Davenport North</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tied for third in 4A in tackles-for-loss (TFLs), [player_tooltip player_id='1619389' first='Kenyon' last='Purnell'] was tops in Class 4A for defensive linemen in the statistic, making just under half of his total tackles (36.5) as TFLs, living in opponent backfields for the Wildcats. His teammate, junior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1617688' first='Donovan' last='Holloway'] added 15.5, making for one of the more formidable DL duos in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carson Oberhoffer, JR, Gilbert</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Second in sacks in 4A with 8.5 and tied for sixth with 14.5 TFLs, Oberhoffer was a key piece for Gilbert in their attempt to get back to the Dome this season. Coming up just short of making it to Cedar Falls, Oberhoffer was critical in complimenting the Tigers' run-heavy offensive attack by stacking TFLs and sacks defensively. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1197453' first='Kyler' last='McNeal'], JR, Lewis Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Part of a dynastic program in western Iowa, Lewis Central put together a similar season to the University of Iowa this season, with all five of its losses coming by three points. McNeal's efforts on the defensive line were far and away one of the reasons the Titans were in the thick of every game, as the junior posted 14.5 TFLs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='856075' first='DreShaun' last='Ross'], SR, Fort Dodge</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Listed on the elite team as a linebacker, it almost feels as though tabbing Ross strictly as a linebacker isn't quite right. A standup edge that had the makings of being an elite pass-rusher at the next level, the All-American wrestler and Oklahoma State commit likely caused some nightmares on Thursday nights. Finishing the season with the second-most TFLs in all classes with 33, 13 sacks to lead 4A, and four forced fumbles, Ross was dominant in almost every sense of the world for he Dodgers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LINEBACKER</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1532913' first='Nick' last='Milburn'], JR, Newton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The leading tackler in all classes, Milburn was a fiend in the middle of the Newton defense this season, racking up tackle after tackle from the middle linebacker spot. A stat line that progressively gets more insane, Milburn posted 111 solo tackles this season, nearly 30 more than second place in 4A and the only player in all classes to have more than 100 solo tackles. That, and he added 18.5 TFLs to boot -- a stat that most MLB's don't earn, because they're not given the freedom to get into the backfield. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Averaging ten tackles a game, Milburn is as physical as they come and deserves a spot at the Division 1 level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1827791' first='Beau' last='Morio'], JR, Cedar Rapids Xavier</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A linebacker that set the tone all season long for the Saints on their state title run, [player_tooltip player_id='1827791' first='Beau' last='Morio'] is that mean middle linebacker that prowls the second-level of a defense just waiting to hit someone. A ferocious tackler that was vital in Xavier's efforts in stopping the run game, spying mobile quarterbacks and handling his job in pass coverage, Morio finished the year with 69 tackles, including 12 TFLs. He added a pass-breakup and an interception, as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1644914' first='Kyler' last='VanMaanen'], JR, Pella</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the better physically built linebackers in the state, Van Maanen immediately catches one's eye during warmups. Already standing at 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, Van Maanen has Division 1 written all over him. A monstrous presence in the middle of the Dutch defense, Van Maanen is physically intimidating, using his size and length to deliver big hits and lead the state runners up in tackles, finishing second in 4A with 92.5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DEFENSIVE BACK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1906898' first='Dawson' last='Maki'], SR, Newton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yet another all-stater from Newton, Maki broke onto the scene this season for the Cardinals, going from registering 19 tackles as a junior to tying for the lead in Class 4A with six interceptions. Add in seven PBUs and there's a reason Newton had the fifth-best margin of victory in Class 4A, beating opponents by an average of just under 20 points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1620031' first='Rex' last='Rhamy'], SR, Pella</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After another super-productive year for the Dutch, Rhamy has earned himself a spot amongst the elite defensive backs in 4A. The player that tied Maki for the class lead in interceptions with six, the rangy DB added two PBUs and 39 tackles on the defensive side of the ball for Pella this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1421471' first='Gavin' last='Warren'], SR, SBL</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Weirdly, though Rhamy and Maki had the most interceptions in Class 4A this fall, there's one thing Warren, who tied for second place with five interceptions, has over them. Among the group of six DBs that grabbed five or more picks this season, Warren is the only one to return an interception for a touchdown. He added 23 tackles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1241527' first='Drew' last='Hobart'], SR, Mason City</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No, he didn't snag away a ton of interceptions or register the most PBUs in the state, but [player_tooltip player_id='1241527' first='Drew' last='Hobart'] did a whole heck of a lot for Mason City this fall. The defensive back, wide receiver and returner led the Riverhawks in tackles with 76. It's not too often that DBs find their way to that many tackles -- let alone when they play in all three phases of the game. He finished the year fifth in total tackles and in solo tackles with 62, adding 11 TFLs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->