How Latest ’28 Rankings Update Came Together

<!-- 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>I'm not a huge fan of rankings. I said what I said. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Don't get me wrong. I'm not opposed to them as long as we acknowledge that they're flawed, significantly in some instances. A tremendous amount of development is happening throughout the high school years. I feel much better about ranking a senior class than I do a group of freshmen. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Full disclosure, I'm not overly confident in how we have guys slotted in our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2028-rankings/">Class of 2028 Rankings Update</a>, which was released on Monday. I struggled with where prospects should be. I could continue moving them around for awhile and still be unhappy with it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a deep class with clumps of like-talented prospects. Tiering rankings by groups of guys is a more accurate way of lining them up. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top-ranked dude, Dowling Catholic left tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1583613' first='Carter' last='Barrett'], is a no-brainer, which is why he's been No. 1 since we started ranking this class. The sophomore with scholarship offers from Alabama, Iowa, Iowa State, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ole Miss, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas A&amp;M and others has continued working hard on his game and not resting on his laurels. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Before this update, I had Barrett in a tier by himself at the top. I think Madrid tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1693550' first='Jevyn' last='Severson'] , our No. 2 player, has made a strong case to be in there with the Maroon mauler. Florida, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas A&amp;M are among the programs that have reportedly offered Severson.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No. 3 <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/declan-heying/">[player_tooltip player_id='1687033' first='Declan' last='Heying']</a> kicks off the second tier. The Des Moines Christian offensive lineman claims offers from Iowa State, Nebraska, Minnesota, Kansas, Kansas State and Maryland. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heying is joined in Tier 2 by Waverly-Shell Rock Athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1596610' first='Jayden' last='Stephens'], ranked fourth, and No. 5 [player_tooltip player_id='1650312' first='Isaiah' last='Grant'], a receiver at Sioux City East. Iowa State has reportedly offered both prospects. Stephens also announced an Iowa offer, and Grant shows a Kansas offer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The third tier is comprised of six individuals. It begins with No. 6 [player_tooltip player_id='2060974' first='Nash' last='Leonard'] and continues with [player_tooltip player_id='1077234' first='Hayden' last='Shannon'], [player_tooltip player_id='1286887' first='Evan' last='Mitchell'], [player_tooltip player_id='1038029' first='James' last='Barnett'], [player_tooltip player_id='1588754' first='Lucas' last='Goodrich'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1671366' first='Mack' last='Murdock']. Of the group, Shannon reports scholarship offers from Nebraska and Iowa State. The others still are waiting on their first opportunities but should gain more traction junior days, spring visits and summer camps.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players ranked 12-20 in the update make up the fourth tier. That starts with [player_tooltip player_id='1988407' first='Elliot' last='Blankespoor'] from Western Christian and includes [player_tooltip player_id='1584562' first='Luke' last='Iverson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1583593' first='Marshall' last='Sheldon'], [player_tooltip player_id='1671624' first='Gabe' last='Blanshan'], [player_tooltip player_id='1924714' first='Carson' last='Mahoney'], [player_tooltip player_id='1031692' first='Jayden' last='Stumpff'], [player_tooltip player_id='1601655' first='Ayden' last='Coenen'], [player_tooltip player_id='2086240' first='Max' last='Dougherty'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1605331' first='Gabriel' last='Hegelheimer']. Athleticism and upside define this group. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rankings open up even more after that. No. 21 <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/justin-ehlers/">[player_tooltip player_id='1529005' first='Justin' last='Ehlers']</a> has a case to be in the tier above as do others in the Top 50. That could happen when we dive into more film and study these guys further this offseason. Another update is not far off. [player_tooltip player_id='980028' first='Cannon' last='Davis'], [player_tooltip player_id='1596516' first='Texton' last='Bollers'], [player_tooltip player_id='1908275' first='Camden' last='Crees'], [player_tooltip player_id='1900142' first='Christian' last='Williams'], [player_tooltip player_id='2082598' first='Dane' last='Clark'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1588755' first='Coden' last='Kurtz'] are among a group of guys capable of a considerable rise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->