Scouting Reports: Attention-Grabbing 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 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:    Hammersland impacted contests on both sides of the football for Central Elkader in 2025. The sophomore threw for 555 yards and eight touchdowns, and rushed for 330 yards (5.3 YPC) and seven scores. On defense, he posted 28.0 tackles, 23 of which were of the solo variety, with a tackle for loss and a sack. Hammersland added a two-point conversion and kicked off seven times. Void of a 10th-grade highlight video, his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18538035/Griffen-Hammersland/highlights">Hudl page</a> does include clips from individual games. There are also basketball clips, which illustrate the athleticism and agility that aid him on the gridiron. On the football footage, we mostly witness Hammersland playing quarterback, where he's a dual-threat. He's elusive when running with the ball and flashes upside as a thrower. The speed and quickness also would play well on defense as evidenced by his production in the secondary.     While still growing as only a sophomore, McGregor does not lack for toughness. And as his frame fills out, that trait will become even more impactful. We see it on the first clip of his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22957492/68e3f3fce2331ba9a2c98007">10th-grade highlight video</a> from the past season. McGregor takes the handoff, looks to be stopped for a loss in a pile-up, but instead fights forward for positive yardage. Don't get me wrong, there's speed, athleticism and a high football IQ here, too. All of that led to him rushing for 650 yards (8.4 YPC) and 12 touchdowns, and catching three balls for 42 yards. On defense, 18 of his 27.5 tackles were of the solo variety, and he added a tackle and a half for loss. McGregor intercepted a pair of passes, averaged 12.7 yards on three kick returns, kicked off 13 times and racked up 12 two-point conversions.     Ballard received key contributions from DeYoung in all three phases during the 2025 campaign. The sophomore registered 27.5 tackles, 25 of which were solo stops. He had a tackle for loss, a sack, a forced fumble, five interceptions and a pair of passes defensed. DeYoung hauled in nine balls for 113 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 11.8 yards on four kick returns. There's not much footage of DeYoung in action on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/23743099/Kanen-DeYoung/highlights">Hudl page</a>. There's a clip of him reading the quarterback, breaking on the ball and intercepting a pass as a deep safety. The other clip features him getting downhill in a hurry against the run and dropping the ball carrier in his tracks. DeYoung is long and athletic with a frame capable of adding good weight, giving him a significant ceiling as a prospect.     Ford flashed the production and potential in 2025 that could spell a breakout for Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont next season. The sophomore recorded 27.5 tackles, 15 of which were solo stops. He also recovered a fumble. On offense, he caught two balls for 17 yards and delivered a two-point conversion. Ford's Hudl page contains a limited number of clips from the last two seasons. On them, we see a guy that embraces the game's physicality. Ford is versatile. He can get downhill in a hurry on defense and threatens opponents as a well-rounded receiver.     Hook developed his game on the varsity and junior varsity levels as a sophomore at Wayne in 2025. For a varsity team that qualified for the playoffs, he rushed for 279 yards (8.0 YPC) and five touchdowns, and caught a pass for nine yards. Hook came up with 26.5 tackles, 19 of which were solo stops. He had a tackle for loss and an interception. Hook averaged 13.9 yards on eight kick returns and contributed a trio of two-point conversions. The highlights on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/23099938/carver-hook/highlights">Hudl page</a> are mostly from his JV exploits. Hook looks well-rounded as a defensive back with good actions and instincts. He flashes potential as a dual-threat quarterback, too, his speed and athleticism shining through.     Hoffman showed plenty of potential as a player in 2025. The Williamsburg sophomore delivered 26.5 tackles, 21 of which were solo stops. He intercepted three passes. Hoffman averaged 10.5 yards on a pair of punt returns. During his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18411617/68fdb8a681541fb05ac5587c">10th-grade highlight video</a>, Hoffman shows how he gets the job done. He noticeably diagnoses plays quickly, flying to the football against the run or sticking with receivers defending the pass. Hoffman shows smooth hip actions in coverage, changing directions sharply with a knack for closing quickly on the ball. He probably fits best as a slot corner or safety, and definitely would be an asset for multiple specials teams on the next level.

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