Scouting Reports: Iowa Juniors That Jumped Out in 2025

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-to-be searching for college homes.   Here's a closer look at new evaluations for student-athletes in the cycle:    Wright produced at a high level for Woodbury Central in 2025. The junior registered 37.0 tackles, 28 of which were solo stops. He piled up 18.0 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks, putting him among the state's leaders in the latter category. We can see how Wright finds success when watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22244062/694afa5ee371a29ddc9e661e">11th-grade highlight video</a>. On it, there's a college prospect with a good feel for playing on the outside of the D-Line. He understands the importance of setting the edge and proceeds with an impact after doing that. Wright mixes strength and speed in beating offensive tackles. He flashes an impressive collection of pass-rushing moves and operates with active hands.     Dop influenced games on both sides of the ball in 2025. You can see his work on the offensive line during <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20208719/68ef29f53318bad43ecaa72a">highlights on that side</a>. He also put together <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20208719/68ef236b3318bad43ecaa4d0">highlights of him</a> playing on the <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20208719/68ef236b3318bad43ecaa4d0">defensive front</a>. As good as he was on offense, Dop was dynamite on defense. The junior racked up 70.0 tackles, 49 of which were of the solo variety. He rolled up an astonishing 26.0 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks. Dop recovered a fumble and handled the team's kick-off duties. He's powerful in the middle of the three-man front, getting off the ball quickly and flashing strength to win against the opposition. His straight-line speed impressed, and Dop also moves well laterally. It's a frame that can comfortably add good weight for the next level.     North Linn leaned on Miller's efforts on both sides of the trench during the 2025 campaign. The junior recorded 41.0 tackles with 33 of them being solo stops. He posted 11.0 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Operating at left offensive tackle, Miller combines agility and strength in finding success. He gets back into his stance and stays balanced in pass pro. The active hands he shows in that discipline also aid him in paving the way for the running game. On defense, he's a handful in overpowering the competition and separating from blocks with ease.     Woodbine's run to the Eight-Player title game was fueled by a roster filled with outstanding performers. Count Olson among the group after a junior season that saw him impact the action on both sides of the ball. On defense, he contributed 42.5 tackles, 24 of which were solo stops. Olson was good for 11.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. He forced a pair of fumbles and recovered three fumbles. Olson was credited with four pancake blocks. He doesn't have a 11th-grade highlight video put together, but there are clips on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16568503/lucas-olson/highlights">Hudl page</a> that lend insight into how he finds success. Olson is aided by long strides and arms coming off of the edge. He's quick and agile. His frame can add good weight without the loss of athleticism, which gives him a sizable ceiling in the future.     It's not hard to be overshadowed when playing at Solon. The Spartans roster usually is filled with prospects with potential to play at the next level. That was the case in 2025, when they reached the state semifinals before suffering their first loss, which came against eventual Class 3A champion Nevada. Thomsen recorded 39.0 tackles with 23 of those stops being solo. He rolled up 12.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. He forced a fumble and recovered three fumbles. When we pop on his junior highlight video, there's a prospect that's a blur coming off of the edge. He fires off of the snap and is on the ball carrier quickly. Speed and athleticism stick out. His frame is projectable, capable of adding weight and strength.     South Hardin advanced all the way to the state semifinals at the UNI-Dome before falling to eventual Class 1A champion West Lyon. Pfantz was a big reason why the Tigers enjoyed a historically strong season. The junior registered 51.0 tackles, 36 of which were solo stops. He came up with 14.0 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and a forced fumble. Pfantz also rushed for 68 yards and three touchdowns, and caught eight passes for 87 yards. He looks the part when we check out his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15178809/67d0f3162d160544714a1f0d">11th-grade highlight video</a>. Pfantz is a high-motor player that mixes physicality and athleticism in achieving success. It keeps open the door for positional flexibility in college.

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