Evaluation Station: Uncovering Notable Iowa ’28s

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;howe30&nbsp;in the coupon code area</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's rankings season here at Prep Redzone Iowa. We're underway with updates after dropping the&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2026-rankings/">final Class of 2026 rundown</a>&nbsp;just before the holidays and a&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2027-rankings/">2027 revision</a>&nbsp;on New Year's Eve. We've planned to refresh 2028 and issue our first 2029 rankings later this month.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In that pursuit, we'll be filing scouting reports on Iowa underclassmen right up to when those new ratings are released. Today, that takes us to the sophomore class. It's an important time for this group, whose members are early in their search for college homes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at new evaluations for student-athletes in the cycle:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2101641"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69600f352ab68"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Klotz impacted games as a Hempstead sophomore in 2025. He delivered 43.0 tackles, 34 of which were of the solo variety. Klotz picked off a pass and added a half tackle for loss. He also hauled in five balls for 47 yards and a pair of touchdowns. That's impression production from a 10th-grader on the varsity in Class 5A. We can witness how Klotz gets the job done when watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22796474/69098e4b8a6d07a6003968ce">highlight video</a> from the fall. He moved into the starting lineup in Week 5 and stayed there through the end of the campaign. Flashing natural actions at safety, Klotz can stick with receivers in coverage or get downhill quickly against the run. His projectable frame can add good weight and strength without the loss of speed and athleticism, giving him a sizable ceiling. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2101648"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69600f352abeb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Baethke proved to be a problem for opponents during his sophomore season of 2025 at Pleasantville. He registered 42.5 tackles with 14 of them being solo stops, and proved disruptive with 8.0 tackles for loss, a pair of sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He also lists defensive end and offensive tackle as his positions on his Hudl page, which houses his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18436586/694f18b1d44564ced131e9ce">10th-grade highlight video</a>. Baethke gets off of the snap fast with speed and lateral quickness making him difficult for offensive linemen to square up. Proper hand placement also helps him avoid blocks. On the O-Line, his athleticism and toughness stand out, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2101650"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69600f352ac63"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Purgett contributed to the West Monona's cause in three phases as a sophomore this fall. He completed both of his passes for 54 yards, and rushed for 52 yards (4.7 YPC) and two touchdowns. On defense, he produced 42.0 tackles, 34 of which were solo stops. Purgett picked off four passes and recovered a fumble. He averaged 13.4 yards on five kick returns. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23105327/69582bc2573b8c863c0831ab">10th-grade highlight video</a> shows us how success is achieved. Purgett fits well as a deep safety. He carries out his assignments by diagnosing the play and flowing to the football. He does that when in coverage and also stands out in run support. Purgett has a frame capable of adding good weight and strength without loss of athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1696458"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69600f89375af"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hash hounded Clarinda opponents on both sides of the ball as a sophomore this past season. He rushed for 686 yards (5.4 YPC) and six touchdowns. Hash racked up 41.5 tackles, 31 of which were solo stops, 5.5 tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble and an interception. He impresses during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22406177/6908141c6c4b96816ed18d6f">10th-grade highlight video</a>. Hash is a long-strider as a running back, chewing up yards in a hurry with an ability to break tackles as well. He's a versatile linebacker capable of delivering lining up in the middle or off the edge. Hash has room to grow physically and as a player, giving him a significant ceiling with two prep seasons remaining. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2101657"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-696011027e1d4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Clarke Community provided hope for its future during a difficult 2025 season with young guys playing prominent roles. That group included the sophomore Page, who registered 40.5 tackles. Thirty two of those stops were of the solo variety. He forced two fumbles, recovered a pair of fumbles and intercepted a pass. Page added 22 rushing yards in limited duty on offense. During his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20633379/68f6fc413d533836b9a8d2fe">10th-grade highlight video</a>, Page provides evidence that he's a well-rounded safety. He can stick with receivers in coverage, changing directions quickly and smoothly. He gets downhill in a hurry against the rush. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2101670"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-696013a50a92f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">During an otherwise difficult season at Sioux City West, student-athletes like Irvine supplied hope for the future. The sophomore threw for 561 yards and three touchdowns, and rushed for 501 yards (4.2 YPC) and six scores. Irvine recorded 40.0 tackles with 33 of them being solo stops. He added a tackle for loss, a forced fumble and an interception to his statistical ledger. Irvine illustrates how he gets the job done during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23191667/68e5cfab4f4cfa5cc34262bd">10th-grade highlight video</a>. There's potential as a mobile left-handed signal caller. He flashes arm strength and a knack for throwing on the run. His speed, athleticism and explosiveness play well on defense, too. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->