Scouting Reports: Iowa Sophomores Standing Out

<!-- 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":["2102613"],"_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-6961ac06e857e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kos impacted games in all three phases as a sophomore in 2025. His biggest contributions occurred on defense, where he recorded 36.5 tackles. Twenty of those tops were of the solo variety, and he accounted for a tackle for loss and sack, too. Kos intercepted three passes, was credited five passes defended and recovered a fumble. He caught 15 balls for 153 yards and two touchdowns, and averaged 37.1 yards on 27 punts. There's a limited amount of video on Kos' <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/23731499/kendrick-kos/highlights">Hudl page</a>. A long-limbed athlete, Kos is a big target as a receiver. He gets downhill well as a safety. His frame is such that it can add good weight and strength without the loss of impressive speed and agility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2102622"],"_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-6961af7150ae2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Newman Catholic leaned on the sophomore Wolf during its run to the postseason. He registered 36.0 tackles, 23 of which were solo. He had a tackle for loss. Wolf picked up 130 yards (7.6 YPC) and two touchdowns, and caught two balls for 15 yards. He averaged 10.3 yards on six kick returns. Wolf's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23371647/68fcefd4195c1ae9b2efde27">10th-grade highlight video</a> reveals a student-athlete playing with good tempo and physicality. He diagnoses plays quickly and flows well to the football. Active hands help fend off blocks and separate from them. Wolf is a technically sound tackler.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2102627"],"_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-6961b53278be2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Marsh put together a strong sophomore season for Stanton-Essex in 2025. He registered 35.0 tackles, 27 of which were solo stops, and added a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery. He rushed for 171 yards and a touchdown, caught five balls for 39 yards, and averaged 10.0 yards on three punts returns. During his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18619079/695e94d1e1383701c227b75f">10th-grade highlight video</a>, Marsh shows us how he gets the job done. He's fast, athletic and tough, which aid him in chewing up yards rushing the football or getting downhill for tackles in the eight-player game. Power is a part of Marsh's game no matter where he's lining up. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2102631"],"_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-6961b53278c3f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Chariton received excellent production from the sophomore Evans during the fall. He delivered 33.5 tackles, 30 of which were solo stops, and intercepted a pass. Evans averaged 40.3 yards on three punt returns, bringing one of them back to the house. On offense, he completed his only throw for 29 yards, rushed for 174 yards (5.6 YPC), and caught 22 balls for 313 yards and three touchdowns. Evans impresses during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23872405/68fefbd8ad5c89f57c9546fc">10th-grade highlight video</a>. He's a physical presence in the secondary, getting quickly to the ball and arriving with impact. He's a clean route runner from the slot, adding explosiveness and elusiveness in space.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2102632"],"_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-6961b53278c88"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bahtagic contributed in three phases for Perry during the 2025 season. The sophomore threw a touchdown pass, rushed three times and caught a pass in limited duty on offense. He stood out on defense with 33.5 tackles, 23 of which were solo stops. Bahtagic intercepted three passes and added a half tackle for loss. He averaged 13.0 yards on five kick returns and 33.9 yards on 36 punts. During his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23228338/693af663256953b7f04bfa18">10th-grade highlight video</a>, Bahtagic shines in pass coverage, sticking with receivers and using his length to prevent receptions. His long arms and strides serve him well when he's high-pointing the ball as a receiver, too. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2102635"],"_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-6961b5eab3d20"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Maquoketa Valley received key contributions from Thompson during the 2025 season. The sophomore came up with 33.0 tackles, 18 of which were solo stops. He disrupted the proceedings for opposing offenses, delivering 10.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. Thompson intercepted two passes and recovered a fumble. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20948613/6914b2291e1123ac2b9f4c02">10th-grade highlight video</a> reveals a prospect playing the game fast and with physicality on defense and special teams. He covers a lot of ground as a defender. Long arms and strides help him close on ball carriers. Thompson breaks them down and drops them in their tracks when the play comes his way. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->