Scouting Reports: Interesting In-State 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 earlier this month 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:    Sioux City East advanced to the Class 5A state quarterfinals and won nine games thanks, in large part, to the play of its offensive line. The Black Raiders' front helped pave the way for 1,066 yards and 16 touchdowns rushing, and a whopping 2,873 yards and 30 scores through the air. Somsky was at the center of the action, literally. The junior operated effectively at the most involved position on the O-Line. He proved consist in performing his main job - getting the ball to the quarterback. Somsky plays with good pad level and gains leverage on the opponent regularly. He keeps churning through the whistle with power and balance. Active hands aid him in effective pass protection as we see when viewing his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19583193/6925ff92b8398d5604228cfb">11th-grade highlight video</a>.     Pedersen contributed a tackle this season, but he did his best work operating on the Lawton-Bronson offensive line. That happened from the right tackle spot, where he's a tall, angular athlete with long limbs as we can witness during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19493513/690905b1b1092d8c7e32f4fd">junior highlight video</a>. Quickness, balance and agility are key factors in Pedersen finding consistent success whether he's paving the way for the running game or setting up in pass protection. He uses his hands effectively with good placement and activity. Pedersen's frame is such that it can add good weight without the loss of excellent athleticism on the offensive front.     Palmer impacted the action on both sides of the ball for Winfield-mount Union in 2025. The junior recorded 13.5 tackles, eight of which were of the solo variety. He posted a tackle for loss and recovered a pair of fumbles. There's not a lot of video to go on when it comes to Palmer. While he doesn't have any film on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19867354/wyatt-palmer/highlights">Hudl page</a>, clips are housed on his X account. On them we can see someone that's hard to miss as one of the larger humans on the field. Palmer eats up space in the middle of the defensive line. He's quick for a bigger guy and moves well laterally. He separates from block consistently. Palmer is a road grater on the O-Line that can plow through the opponent.     Dalton produced at an incredibly high level as a junior in 2025. He threw for 12 touchdowns against just two interceptions, and rushed for 1,081 yards (9.7 YPC) and 24 scores. On defense, he piled up 42.0 tackles with 37 of them being solo stops. Dalton picked off three passes, recorded a tackle for loss and recovered a fumble. When watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19436685/6906e0ad0c02cc788e714d52">11th-grade highlight video</a>, we witness an explosive athlete with the versatility to project at multiple positions on the next level. Dalton is a difficult guy to stop when he's carrying the ball on designed runs while playing quarterback. He looks like a running back with his combination of speed, elusiveness and power. It also works well when he's returning kicks and punts, and the skill set plays well in the secondary.     During a difficult season for Sioux City West, Joseph stood out as a bright spot for the Wolverines. He registered 25.5 tackles, 25 of which were of the solo variety. He also picked off a pass. On offense, he caught eight balls for 120 yards and a touchdown. His lone carry went for eight yards. When watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19464661/6906e9360c02cc788e7151f3">junior highlight video</a>, Joseph flashes promise as a receiver with smooth actions, long arms and a good feel for route running. At this point, he's more advanced as a defensive back, however. Joseph can lock down in coverage, utilizing those long limbs, changing directions quickly and closing windows. He's also a technically sound tackler that would help a college program on special teams, too.     Haney enjoyed a successful junior season at Center Point-Urbana, rushing for 475 yards and three touchdowns this fall. He chipped in a two-point conversion, too. Three of his 6.0 tackles were solo stops, and he had a tackle for loss. His lone kick return went for nine yards. Haney is an interesting running back prospect. As we can see when watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20425118/68fe4c53e012c26d4432208c">11th-grade highlight video</a>, he chews up yardage with long strides and another gear in the open field. He gets downhill in a hurry, can juke an opponent or run over him. Haney runs patiently and with purpose. His speed and athleticism would work at safety or linebacker if things don't work out on offense.

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