Film Review: Iowa 2028s Surging into New Year

<!-- 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":["2104609"],"_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-696665d9be801"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Higman put together a memorable sophomore season at Akron-Westfield, providing hope that better days are ahead for the Westerners. He stood out on defense, where he registered 32.5 tackles, 26 of which were of the solo variety. Higman added 2.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He chipped 11 catches for 82 yards as well. Higman's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22980477/Ronan-Higman/highlights">Hudl page</a> only contains clips from one game last season, but they provide a glimpse into how he operates. He fits well as a linebacker at this level, diagnosing plays quickly and flying to the football. Athleticism and a frame capable of adding good weight could keep him developing at that spot. A hybrid or safety might be the future, too. Higman is one on which to keep an eye.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2104627"],"_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-696669c0501ea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While it wasn't the sunniest season at Forest City, young players on the roster gave the program hope that better days were ahead. Among that group was the sophomore linebacker Duncan. He contributed 32.0 tackles, 18 of which were solo stops. Duncan recorded 4.0 tackles for loss, a sack and recovered fumble. We can witness how he gets the job done while watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23479678/690629d18116d5b9cefc6ee7">10th-grade highlight video</a>. On it we see a versatile defender capable of delivering no matter where he lines up in the formation. Duncan is quick sideline to sideline and in a straight line. He embraces the game's physicality and plays through the whistle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2104646"],"_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-69666bb76b7c6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">North Union fell to eventual state champion Bishop Garrigan in the second round of the 2025 eight-player postseason. It was a good season for the Warriors with a lot of talent returning next fall to provide high hopes moving forward. Crouch is among the group of high-level returnees. The sophomore delivered 31.5 tackles, 23 of which were solo stops. He had 4.5 tackles for loss, a sack and an interception. He averaged 27.5 yards on 21 kick returns, returning two of them to the house, and 14.4 on five punt returns. Crouch rushed for 252 yards (7.6 YPC) and three touchdowns. He added 11 receptions for 103 yards. Crouch's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22230173/68d1a5eb3b0f75d6f13b897a">10th-grade highlight video</a> reveals a student-athlete with positional versatility derived from athleticism and speed. He's quick and elusive with the ball in his hands, and fast to the football when tackling it. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2104656"],"_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-6966708779282"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Belmond-Klemme received key contributions from Paulsen in all three phases this past season. The versatile sophomore totaled 31.0 tackles, 22 of which were solo stops. He averaged 8.3 yards on 21 kick returns, taking one of them back to the house. Paulsen caught 12 passes for 135 yards and two touchdowns, and rushed for 22 yards on three carries. We can see Paulsen's defensive highlight video <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22545805/68fe93c62903f84385fad385">HERE</a>, and <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22545805/68fe4befda5bee2fb1c2978c">HERE</a> is video on offense. He works well as a slot receiver running crips routes, making defenders miss in space with elusiveness and burst. Paulsen is equally as effective lining up as a slot corner with the ability to stick with receivers in coverage or fly down into the box for run support. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1908771"],"_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-69667490b898d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Scott could be found impacting games in all three phases at MVAOCOU in 2025. The sophomore racked up 31.0 tackles, 23 of which were solo stops. He was credited with three interceptions, three tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Scott caught 10 balls for 215 yards and two touchdowns, and added 15 yards and a score on a pair of carries. He averaged 20.0 yards on four kick returns and 18.0 yards on three punt returns. Scott's Hudl page houses video clips from several plays during the season, providing a glimpse into his talents. He flashes potential on both sides of the ball as a receiver capable of winning in various ways and a long-limbed cornerback with intriguing skills. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2104674"],"_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-6966771a4b2c0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nevada received a bulk of its contributions from seniors on the way to winning the Class 3A state championship this past fall. The Cubs will bring back guys that were key members of the title run, however. The sophomore Happe falls into the category. He recorded 31.0 tackles, 14 of which were solo stops. Happe proved disruptive with 7.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. A <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23046850/68eef4734212be6cc0f3306e">non-district highlight video</a> offers up evidence of his versatility as a linebacker. He makes plays lining up off the edge or shifting to the middle of the defense's second level. Happe is fast to the football and physical upon arrival, finishing plays with sound tackling technique. He runs well sideline to sideline and in a straight line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->