Analyzing Iowa Juniors Packed with Potential

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area   It's rankings season here at Prep Redzone Iowa. We're underway with updates after dropping the final Class of 2026 rundown Monday on the site.   The process never stops, really. It's a constant pursuit of new names to evaluate.   Today, that takes us to the Iowa 2027 Class. It's an important time for this group of seniors searching for college homes.   Here's a closer look at new evaluations for student-athletes in the cycle:    Scheffler was a force on both sides of the trench for the Vikings in 2025. On defense, the junior accumulated 34.0 tackles, 20 of which were of the solo variety. He also posted 8.5 stops for loss, a half sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. When viewing his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22598532/68fda52281541fb05ac54cbe">11th-grade highlight video</a>, Scheffler controls the opponent with an advanced level of physicality. He regularly overpowers the person across from him, whether he's plowing through him while opening up holes in the running game or crashing through the O-Line as an interior defensive lineman wrecking plans. Scheffler also appears to be agile and move well with a frame capable of adding good weight. He's a guy college coaches might want to get into summer camp for a closer.     Perdue chipped in on the offensive side of the ball with 79 yards rushing and 17 catches for 179 yards, but he really shined on the defensive side of the football. The junior racked up 45.0 tackles with 36 of them being solo stops. He also registered 3.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, one forced fumble, a fumble recovery, an interception and six passes defended. He helped out on punt returns, too. The contributions all around the field speak to his versatility and athleticism. Perdue shows that during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19247696/6927757d84423567d98fd153">11th-grade highlight video</a>. On it we witness a disruptive defender that quickly diagnoses plays and flies to the football. He's physical and a technically sound tackler.     In a season that wasn't stocked with success for Marshalltown, Niehouse stood out from the crowd with a fine junior year against tough competition. He threw for five touchdowns, and rushed for 829 yards (6.7 YPC) and eight scores. Twenty four of his 28.0 tackles were solo stops with 4.0 tackles for loss. He recovered a fumble and returned a kick. Niehouse illustrates how he gets the job done during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19452232/690ce425197f9dd5bd811d37">junior highlight video</a>. Speed and athleticism pop off of the film as we begin watching clips. He cuts sharply and evades defenders regularly. It's a skill set that could work at running back or receiver on offense. Those traits also make him viable as a safety on the next level.     Being overshadowed on a deep and talented Southeast Polk roster isn't uncommon. That's been the case with Tarasid to date, but he's a guy college coaches would be wise to check out as a prospect with upside. The junior delivered key contributions for a salty Ram defense, recording 13.0 tackles, eight of which were solo, with a stop for loss. He flashed potential as a well-rounded member of the secondary, capable of locking down in coverage and supporting the run. Tarasid really stood out on special teams. He returned two punts for 76 yards and a touchdown, and averaged 21.0 yards on five kick returns. There's a limit amount of film on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18619553/Fredrick-TarasidTarawally/highlights">Hudl page</a>. What we do see highlights that high ceiling in the secondary.     An injury kept it from being a complete season for Gasperi during 2025. The junior did catch eight balls for 84 yards and a touchdown. Four of his 5.5 tackles were of the solo variety. Despite missing time, Gasperi shows us during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18219710/6909661f0815db8cab8dad24">11th-grade highlight video</a> that the potential is there for him to have a bright future on the next level. Working as an H-Back for the Jaguars, he's quick off of the line whether getting into a route or blowing up a defender in the running game. He's agile and athletic with speed that the opposition finds difficult keeping up with. Gasperi is an interesting prospect that would benefit by camping with colleges this coming summer.     Paulsen played a leading role in helping the Sabers reach the postseason after coming off of a 1-8 year. The junior delivered 39.5 tackles, 29 of which were solo stops. He racked up 17.0 tackles for loss with 5.0 sacks. He also forced a fumble. His work on the offensive line gives him a path to a future at the next level on that side of the ball, too. We can witness how Paulsen gets the job done when viewing his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19688384/6935e5aecd06d6b43c388792">11th-grade highlight video</a>. During it, the physical and fast lineman creates matchup problems with his combination of strength and quickness. He uses his hands well to avoid blocks and in separating from them. As an offensive tackle, athleticism and agility with a projectable frame could lead to a fine future there.

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