Scouting Reports: Analyzing Intriguing Iowa Sophomores

<!-- 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":["2101610"],"_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-696002fa587cc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In what was an otherwise difficult season at Sioux City West, Topete flashed the type of upside that elicits hope for the future. The sophomore piled up 48.0 tackles, 38 of which were of the solo variety. He chipped in 50 yards rushing (4.5 YPC), caught two passes for 10 yards and returned a couple of kicks. It's a broad base of skills that could fit at multiple positions on the next level. We can see that when viewing the clips he has posted on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/23117307/Tramell-Topete/highlights">Hudl page</a>. Topete offers straight-line speed and quickness laterally. He flows well to the football, fights off blocks and breaks down when tackling. There's still physical and football growth potential that provides plenty of upside here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1601644"],"_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-696002fa5884d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Easton Valley stood out as one of the state's top eight-player programs in 2025, finishing with an 8-2 record. Fedderson delivered key contributions to the River Hawk cause. The sophomore recorded 46.5 tackles with 36 of them being solo stops. He also forced a fumble. On offense, he racked up 650 yards (6.7 YPC) and six touchdowns rushing, and caught 19 balls for 180 yards and three scores. It's a broad base of talents with a projectable frame adding to his upside. We can witness how Feddersen gets the job done while checking out his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23147348/692b5c96804979f842c254e0">10th-grade highlight video</a>. Versatility is the name of the game on both sides of the ball. He can rack up yardage taking a handoff or after catching the ball in space. He gets downhill fast on defense and packs a punch upon arrival at the football. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2101615"],"_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-696002fa588c0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Heilman influenced games in all three phases as a sophomore this past season. He produced 46.5 tackles, 40 of which were solo stops. He also intercepted three passes. On offense, Heilman rushed for 732 yards, averaging an insane 13.6 per tote, and 10 touchdowns. He added a couple of catches and averaged 23.7 yards on nine kick returns. Heilman's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23403485/69271d962f15039a598d0073">10th-grade highlight video</a> reveals a well-rounded athlete with speed and explosion. While not the biggest guy on the field, he plays physically and through the whistle whether he's carrying the ball or tackling it. Heilman flashes excellent instincts in the secondary along with the ability to quickly diagnose the play coming his way. He operates at top tempo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2101620"],"_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-696004f3e7500"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pennington firmly placed himself on the radar as a prospect of note with his performance in 2025. The sophomore rushed for a team-best 599 yards (6.2 YPC) and eight touchdowns, and added three receptions for 37 yards. On defense, Pennington produced 45.0 tackles, 40 of which were of the solo variety. He intercepted a pass, was credited with a pass defended, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble. Pennington averaged 24.4 yards on five kick returns and 14.6 on 10 punt returns. You can watch video highlights from the season on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22483828/lane-pennington/highlights">Hudl page</a>. Pennington flashes burst, sharp cutting and speed to make him an effective returner. Those traits benefit him when chewing up yards on the ground or delivering as a defensive back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2101627"],"_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-696008fb5764c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Anderson flashed next-level potential on both sides of the ball as a Winfield-Mount Union sophomore in 2025. He caught 19 balls for 196 yards and two touchdowns. He registered 43.5 tackles with 26 of them being solo. Anderson rolled up 5.0 tackles for loss, too. While his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22745440/Colin-Anderson/highlights">Hudl page</a> lacks a season highlight video, it does house clips from the year, providing a glimpse into this talents. Anderson shows a good feel at linebacker, diagnosing plays quickly, operating within the scheme, separating from blocks and getting downhill to the tackle. He runs good routes and displays sound technique for catching passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1601640"],"_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-696008fb576b1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont received a sound season from the sophomore Thomas during the 2025 campaign. He racked up 43.0 tackles, 25 of which were solo stops. Thomas produced three tackles for loss and recovered a pair of fumbles. He chipped in 19 yards rushing on three carries and caught a pass for seven yards. Thomas also averaged 15.0 yards on three kick returns and stood out on coverage teams. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/27538455/Slater-Thomas/highlights">Hudl page</a> lacks a 10th-grade highlight video, but there is a small collection of clips that provides a sense of his talents. Quickness and explosion stand out when he gets downhill in a hurry defensively. Pre-snap reads lead to him flowing well to the football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->