Sizing Up Iowa Sophomores in the Film Room

<!-- 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 later this month and issue our first 2029 rankings not long after that.</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":["2107351"],"_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-6973a24d0c7de"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Olsen was among several Hempstead quarterbacks that saw action in 2025. The sophomore posted the highest rating among the group and won his only two starts, likely giving him a leg up on QB1 race in the fall. He completed almost 60 percent of his passes, averaging 11.4 yards per completion, and tossing five touchdowns. Olsen added 33 yards and a score on the ground. When watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22590775/6906a77c463a680a36e81077">10th-grade highlight video</a>, we see a guy comfortable operating from the pocket and when on the move. Olsen can get the ball deep without a lot of effort with the arm strength to get the ball through tight windows. He gets the rock out quickly and on time with accurate ball placement. Olsen looks an awful lot like a breakout prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2111552"],"_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-6973ac05649c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ducharme chipped in with 11.5 tackles (4 solo) as a sophomore on an one-loss state championship team in 2025. Contributions as an underclassman in one of Iowa's top programs at developing prospects for the next level often foreshadow a larger role ahead. The Maroons will be searching for guys ready to step in for graduation losses in 2026, and Ducharme looks like a candidate to do just that when watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/25121117/693cb2e6fc734ace18022c56">10th-grade highlight video</a>. He diagnoses plays quickly and closes fast on the football. Ducharme flows with the play, avoiding and shedding blockers on his way to the tackle. He embraces the game's physicality, which also stands out on special teams. Ducharme is one to watch next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2111641"],"_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-6973bfd5d5e24"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sciorrotta didn't see a lot of action on the Valley varsity in 2025, but the sophomore made the most of the chances presented to him. For a team that went back to The Dome, he caught two balls for 61 yards and a touchdown. Sciorrotta's lone punt return was taken back 56 yards to the house. That sounds like a player the Tigers will be looking to utilize more in the coming year, especially to address graduation losses at wideout and the return game. Sciorrotta <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23888323/68d4a7d00f5aa350d2c6b246">posted highlights</a> from the first four games of his 10th-grade campaign. On them we witness a receiver capable of dinging the defense on all three levels. He runs crisp routes to stretch the field or operate underneath. He can take a screen and make people miss, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2111670"],"_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-6973c5d4ade72"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Koch spent the 2025 season developing behind one of the state's most productive senior signal callers. The sophomore split time between levels within the program. On the varsity, Koch completed 60 percent of his throws for 286 yards (10.2 YPC) and four touchdowns against a pair of interceptions. He added 31 yards (7.8 YPC) on the ground. Koch flashes significant upside when we watch his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22849816/694df62de371a29ddc9ebd72">10th-grade highlight video</a>. He's advanced from a physical and technical standpoint with a quick release and strong arm. Koch is comfortable operating from the pocket or on the move. Speed and athleticism make him a threat to tuck the ball and go. He's dangerous in the open field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2111716"],"_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-6973d4a37cee5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While Southeast Polk came up short in its bid for a Class 5A five-peat, the Rams still enjoyed a campaign most other schools would have signed up for. The roster featured a lot of talent in the junior and senior classes. Below them, an intriguing group of prospects emerged to keep the train rolling in Pleasant Hill. Yankoon is among that collection of guys packed with potential. A three-sport athlete also competing in wrestling and track, he posted 3.5 tackles in limited varsity duty during 2025. Three of those stops were solo, and he added a tackle for loss and a sack. In lieu of a 10th-grade highlight video, Yankoon has clips from a few games posted on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22497485/Joel-Yankoon/highlights">Hudl page</a>. Despite them mostly being from non-varsity competition, the explosiveness, power and quickness will play on that level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2111723"],"_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-6973d7df00875"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Waukee faced the state's most difficult schedule with a veteran roster. That meant varsity opportunities for underclassmen were limited on the Class 5A playoff team. Heinrich received a small share and capitalized on them. He rushed four times for 29 yards (7.3 YPC) and a touchdown. Heinrich collected three tackles, two of which were solo stops. He averaged 13.5 yards on a pair of kick returns. While Heinrich doesn't have a 10th-grade highlight video on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/20374198/Sam-Heinrich/highlights">Hudl page</a>, there are clips lending insight into his set of skills. He's a weapon as a downhill runner with a little giddy-up, and is capable of stressing defense as a receiver. Heinrich will be one to watch in 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->