Film Study: Notable Iowa Sophomores Standing Out

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 and issue our first 2029 rankings later this month.   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:    Only a sophomore in 2025, Kramer played a key role in helping Bishop Garrigan win the eight-player state championship. He registered 28.5 tackles, 13 of which were of the solo variety. Kramer came up with 5.5 tackles for loss, a pair of sacks and an interception. There are only three clips from Kramer's 10th-grade campaign housed on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22957593/karson-kramer/highlights">Hudl page</a>. On them, we see enough evidence of potential to leave us wanting more. He's a big sophomore from a physical standpoint, wearing the weight well and flashing agility. Kramer moves well laterally and has a burst in a straight line. His video clips are of him playing defense, but he lists center as his first position and would appear to have the skills for success there.     South Central Calhoun received important contributions on both sides of the ball from the sophomore Nattress in 2025. He posted 28.5 tackles, 23 of which were solo stops. Nattress was credited with 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. On offense, he rumbled for 408 yards (5.2 YPC) and 11 touchdowns on the ground, adding seven receptions for 25 yards. Nattress has posted clips from some of his games this past season on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22931610/cooper-nattress/highlights">Hudl page</a>. The clips are limited to belly runs up the middle. Fortunately, they illustrate unusual power and strength for a 10th-grader. It's a set of traits that transfer well to the defensive side of the ball, too. And with the numbers he posted as a sophomore, there's potential at linebacker or safety.     Hardgraves impacted Sioux City West games in all three phases as a sophomore in 2025. He recorded 28.5 tackles with 25 of those stops being solo. Hardgraves tallied an interception, a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery. He caught 10 balls for 98 yards and a score, and averaged 16.1 yards on 13 kick returns. Hardgraves' <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/23090487/nolen-hardgraves/highlights">Hudl page</a> contains a small sampling of highlights from his 10th-grade campaign. We can witness a student-athlete with potential on offense and defense. As a receiver, he runs crisp routes, finds holes in the defense and can make would-be tacklers miss in space. He's a well-rounded member of the secondary, capable of sticking with receivers in coverage or coming down in run support.     West Sioux advanced to the state semifinals where it fell to eventual Class A champion MMCRU. The Falcons were rewarded with impactful play from guys up and down the roster. Van Beek was one of the individuals that will be bringing back that production in 2026. He was responsible for 28.0 tackles. Twenty three of those stops were solo, and he added a pair of interceptions, a tackle for loss and a pass defended. Van Beek rushed for 167 yards (7.0 YPC) and two touchdowns, and caught nine balls for 185 yards and three scores. He averaged 20.3 yards on 15 kick returns, taking one of them back to the house, and 18.8 on four punt returns. Van Beek's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18503558/Kendrin-Vanbeek/highlights">Hudl page</a> includes clips illustrating how he gets the job done. He's a versatile athlete capable of making people miss in the space when the ball is in his hands or delivering as a well-rounded defensive back. He could project on either side of the ball on the next level, and would be a special teams' asset no matter what position he plays.     Swenson proved to be worthy of responsibility for West Fork in 2025. The sophomore recorded 28.0 tackles. Nineteen of those stops were solo. He intercepted two passes and recovered a pair of fumbles. Swenson rushed for 178 yards (5.6 YPC) and three touchdowns, caught five balls for 35 yards and completed his only throw for nine yards. He returned kicks and punts, too. There's a smattering of clips from the season on Swenson's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/23184799/Connor-Swenson/highlights">Hudl page</a>. Elusiveness and burst help him avoid defenders when carrying the ball. On defense, he smoothly backpedals and changes direction in coverage. Swenson is physical and sound against the run.     Spencer will be looking to get back into the playoffs in 2026 with a strong stable of returners from this past campaign. Vulk is a valued member of that group after a sophomore season that saw him stand out on defense while getting his feet wet as a quarterback, where he could be the starter in the fall. He posted 28.0 tackles, 15 of which were of the solo variety. Vulk delivered a pair of tackles for loss. He completed four of nine passes for 32 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions, and rushed for 87 yards (5.8 YPC). During his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23155494/68e2f155af386418a710129c">10th-grade highlight video</a>, Vulk displays a high motor, sound tackling technique and an embracing of the game's physicality. He adept at crashing down on the run and can stick with receivers in coverage. A complete safety is well within the range of outcomes for the next level.

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