Scouting Reports: Checking In on Talented 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:    Sellers impacted games as a sophomore at Sigourney-Keota this season. On offense, he dished out 27 pancake blocks and caught 10 balls for 94 yards with two touchdowns, proving to be a well-rounded tight end with upside. His blocking aided a Cobra rushing attack that produced 2,207 yards (5.8 YPC) and 32 scores. Sellers added 3.0 tackles, including a .5 stop for loss and half a sack. His projectable frame is capable of adding plenty of good weight and strength. It's a skill set that could work on either side of the ball. We can witness how Sellers gets the job done when watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19030598/690e706b74301bea69f98a81">10th-grade highlight video</a>. Athleticism that helps him contribute as a member of the varsity basketball team this winter, shines through. He's a huge target in the passing game, looking smooth as a route runner and agile in competing for the ball. As mentioned earlier, Sellers is a willing and able blocker, which is far from a given at this level.     Few sophomores around the state impacted both sides of the trench as much as Rupprecht. He provided Independence with 15 pancake blocks on the O-Line. Defensively, Rupprecht piled up 51.5 tackles, 40 of which were of the solo variety. He added 8.0 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. The Mustangs reached the Class 3A playoffs with Rupprecht shining during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20955855/6928aec0804979f842c1a529">10th-grade highlight video</a>. On it, we see the first-team all-district pick perform at a level beyond his years from a physicality standpoint. He often wins with power and strength. Rupprecht absorbs blocks and separates from them regularly. He adds in agility and mobility as an interior offensive lineman, and that certainly could end up being his path to the next level.     I was able to watch Sterba play in person on a couple of occasions during the 2025 campaign. Iowa City West was strong on the offensive front, and the sophomore did his job. He produced nine pancake blocks in helping the Trojans roll up 2,113 yards (5.5 YPC) and 30 touchdowns on the ground along with 2,346 yards and 25 scores through the air. Sterba operates with a low center of gravity and frequently wins the leverage battle. He powers through the opponent but also is nimble enough to block in space and take out defenders on the second level. There's not a lot of film on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22760831/alex-sterba/highlights">Hudl page</a>, but Sterba is one to watch moving forward.     Salazar authored a fine sophomore season for the Manson Northwest Webster varsity in 2025. He was credited with four pancake blocks on the campaign and 3.5 tackles, two of which were solo stops, with a half tackle for loss. Potential oozes out of his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/21493079/69037f87f764355452b0b763">10th-grade highlight video</a>. He's advanced from a physical standpoint, often overwhelming his opponents with strength and power. He's technically sound, too, operating with active hands and proper placement. Salazar understands angles and how to take his guy out of the play. There's room for growth and development before reaching full potential, giving Salazar next-level upside.     Luevano provided a foreshadowing of what could be a bright future on the gridiron during his opportunities on the Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley varsity in 2025. He was credited with three pancake blocks and three tackles, including half of a solo stop. A good athlete, Luevano has seen time as a 10th-grader on the Boyden-Hull varsity basketball team this winter. The Comets are ranked fifth in Class 1A. On the gridiron, Luevano brings the agility and footwork from the hardwood. We can see glimpses of that watching the clips housed on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/23044792/Eric-Luevano/highlights">Hudl page</a>. It shows up most often in pass protection. Luevano is strong and technically sound, too, and that helps in paving the way through the run game.     Parks contributed on both sides of the trench as a Roosevelt sophomore in 2025. He was recognized for a pair of pancake blocks and totaled 10.5 tackles, 10 of which were of the solo variety. Parks produced four tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He provides a handful of clips from his 10th-grade campaign on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/23615585/travis-harveyparks/highlights">Hudl page</a>. On them, Parks shows an ability to absorb blocks and get off of them lining up as an edge on a three-person front. He's also effective shifting inside for a four-person front. While there aren't any O-Line clips available, it's a skill set that would work there if developed.

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