Scouting Reports: Closer Look at Compelling Juniors

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:    Pieper put together a sound season on both sides of the ball for the Cadets in 2025. The junior receiver/defensive back caught 26 balls for 382 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Defensively, 13 of his 17.5 tackles were of the solo variety. He also defended five passes and recovered a fumble. A look at his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16262646/690389ddbb4b171c3954e529">11th-grade highlight video</a> reveals a long-limbed wideout with leaping ability resulting in the winning of contested throws. He hauls in the ball with two hands out in front of his eyes and strongly secures it. Pieper excels at bringing in the back-shoulder toss. He also flashes upside as a member of the secondary able to run with pass catchers or crash down on the run.     There must be something in the water in Madrid. The Class A program is developing next-level talent. Atkinson has proven to be one of those dudes with his play as a prep. The athletic junior rushed for 483 yards (6.0 YPC) and six touchdowns this fall. He racked up 42.5 tackles, 24 of which were solo stops. He had 4.5 tackles for loss and averaged 22.0 yards on a pair of kick returns. Atkinson's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18401282/68dcc52d5a1ed76307e41f85">11th-grade highlight video</a> lends insight into how he gets the job done. He's an interesting running back prospect as someone who gets downhill in a hurry, can power over defenders or make them miss. There's speed in the open field. We don't see any clips on defense, but it's a skill set that includes physicality, which plays well on that side of the ball.     The Wildcats roared their way to another state title in 2025, and Van Beek played a key role in bringing the hardware home. The junior delivered 11.5 tackles, nine of which were of the solo variety and another resulting in lost yardage. Van Beek's best work was done on the other side of the trench, however, for a squad that rushed for 3,406 yards (7.8 YPC) and 56 touchdowns. It also piled up 1,593 yards (15.9 YPC) and 22 scores through the air. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19758529/693ae8261f31bec855cb175b">11th-grade highlight video</a> shows us how he earned second-team all-state and first-team all-district laurels. He's a hoss operating from his right guard spot, getting off of the ball quickly and powering through opponents. Van Beek's strength is accentuated by sound technique. He's advanced with development ahead, which should be attractive to programs on the next level.     Boyden Hull/Rock Valley lost its last three games of 2025 by a total of 16 points. Thanks to a roster filled with next-level talent, the Nighthawks were close to a season to remember. There's hope that can occur next season with the return of guys like Snuttjer, who flashed upside on both sides of the ball as a junior this fall. He caught 31 passes for 449 yards and four touchdowns and was credited with five pancake blocks. Nine of his 13.5 tackles were solo stops, and he intercepted a throw. On Snuttjer's 11th-grade highlight video we witness a wideout that runs crisp routes and stands out for making contested catches. He's athletic with speed, operating with balance and ability to adjust to where the ball is thrown.     Defending champion Sergeant Bluff-Luton got back to The Dome in 2025 thanks to the performances of guys like Brodersen. On defense, the junior recorded 21.0 tackles, 10 of which were solo. Brodersen produced 4.0 tackles for loss and a trio of sacks. His best work went down as a guard on the O-Line however. It earned him first-team all-state honors in Class 4A. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19347222/692df44e733bfca19ff8a941">11th-grade highlight video</a> provides evidence on how he dominated the opposition on a regular basis. It's an impressive combination of athleticism, agility and physicality. He's also a handful on the end of his team's three-man defensive front, flying off the snap and winning with quickness and power.     I got to watch Tew operate in person during Heelan's run to the Class 4A state title game. The junior performed at a high level during the two games in The Dome. Not the largest dude in the trenches, Tew stands out for his technique and strength when watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19420525/68d02945ab2f611abc6ee2ca">11th-grade highlight video</a>, which gives us clips from the first three weeks of the season. It's a collection of skills that work well at center, where he successfully handles the important responsibilities of the position. Tew gets the ball where it's supposed to go and fires into the chest of the guy across from him. Low pad level helps him win the leverage battle often. He understands angles and how to best utilize hand placement.

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