Film Room: Closer Look at Notable Iowa 2028s

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 <a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2026-rankings/">final Class of 2026 rundown</a> just before the holidays and a <a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2027-rankings/">2027 revision</a> on New Year's Eve. We've planned to refresh 2028 later this month and issue our first 2029 rankings not long after that.   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.   Here's a closer look at new evaluations for student-athletes in the cycle:    This past fall served as a development season for Spracklin as he worked within the program that won the Class 5A state championship with a 12-1 mark. The sophomore did contribute 3.0 tackles, all of which were solo stops, two of them resulting in lost yardage. It highlighted Spracklin's ability to disrupt the proceedings of the opposing offense. With long arms and a projectable frame capable of adding good weight without the loss of agility, he very well could develop into a force off of the edge. There's also potential as a pass-catching tight end capable of blocking up the run game. There's not a lot of footage from 2025 on Spracklin's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22988429/Sam-Spracklin/highlights">Hudl page</a>, but what's there features a high-upside athlete.     A successful season at Sioux City East ended in the Class 5A quarterfinals with a tough loss at Waukee Northwest. The Black Raiders hung tough with what was the state's No. 1 team for much of the season, boasting a roster packed with prospects. Wagner was one of the younger members of the lineup flashing plenty of potential. Three of his 6.5 tackles were solo stops, he posted a tackle for loss and added a sack in limited duty. Wagner's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22856920/6915f66d3e05afb6c19fe712">10th-grade highlight video</a> provides evidence as to how he gets the job done now and the upside to be a lot more productive during his final two prep campaigns. Much of the footage features him inflicting pain on the opponent as a pass catcher. He's a big target running precise routes. With athleticism, speed and a projectable frame, Wagner could end up filling needs of a team on the next level at multiple positions.     The Bettendorf program enjoys one of the state's most proud histories. As such, it's not easy to get on the field as an underclassman. Hill was able to accomplish it as a sophomore in 2025. Of his 14.0 tackles, 11 were solo stops. He delivered a tackle for loss and recovered a fumble. The step could mean more opportunity for production next fall. Hill's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/20076878/connor-hill/highlights">Hudl page</a> includes limited footage from the year. There's enough to receive a glimpse into what helps him find success, however. Fundamentally sound, Hill sets the edge before pursuing the tackle. He keeps his eyes on the ball and separates easily from blocks. Straight-line speed and quickness laterally lead to welcomed results. Hill enjoys contact and playing the game physically.     Steverson's 11 receptions resulted in team-bests for receiving yardage (232) and touchdown catches (3) in 2025. He completed one of two passes for eight yards and his only tackle was a solo stop. It's the kind of performance as a sophomore that often leads to a breakout junior campaign. Steverson's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19714005/68fc622216283651ffcabcc3">10th-grade highlight video</a> complements the results well. It's a well-rounded skill set at wideout. The opening clip shows him beating a defensive back with straight line speed, and he hauls in a contested catch on the second one. The routes look crisp. A future could develop on the outside with the appearance of small-area quickness and burst to operate underneath leaving open a path to the slot. Also, he blocks.     Urbandale has progressively improved during the last several years and have a nucleus returning in 2026 that could return the J-Hawks to the postseason. Jones will be a big part of that pursuit, literally and figuratively. Already built well for this level, his frame is such that it can add good weight and strength to take on the next one. Jones worked into the D-Line rotation as a sophomore last season, delivering 13.0 tackles, nine of which were solo stops. He recorded two tackles for loss and half of a sack. We can witness how Jones finds positive results when viewing his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19713999/6928db7684423567d9903fee">10th-grade highlight video</a>. He fires off of the ball. From there, Jones combines power and quickness to beat the opponent. He's athletic and agile. Jones is one to watch next season.     Ottumwa turned the reins of its offense over to Dalbey in 2025. While the unit experienced growing pains, he and his teammates flashed potential for a noticeable step forward this coming fall. The sophomore threw for a pair of touchdowns and ran for two more last year. According to Bound, he took all of the team's reps behind center. Dalbey hadn't yet put together a 10th-grade highlight video at the time of writing this evaluation, but his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22547177/Spencer-Dalbey/highlights">Hudl page</a> housed clips from scoring plays and a pair of completions. During a 63-yard TD run, Dalbey displays burst and top-end speed along with deception in carrying out the option. The throwing clips don't reveal a lot about the left-hander, but we see poise and an ability to throw accurately on the move.

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