Film Room: Iowa 2029s You Need to Know

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area   Prep Redzone Iowa dropped a <a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2028-rankings/">Class of 2028 rankings update</a> at the end of last month. That followed a final update on the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2026-rankings/">2026 Class</a> and an <a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2027-rankings/">update on the 2027s</a>.   We'll finish off the latest run with the unveiling of our initial 2029 rankings. Please keep in mind, it's real early for the freshman class and just a starting point for us.   Here's a closer look at guys in that recruiting cycle that you'll find in the upcoming release:    Phelps spent his freshman season at Des Moines Christian, where he contributed a catch for six yards on the varsity. He spent much of the campaign developing on the junior varsity and, apparently, has transferred to Dowling Catholic, according to the profile he created for Prep Redzone Iowa. Phelps does supply us with a <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20388172/692e0ec6804979f842c360f9">highlight video</a> from his ninth-grade year. On it, we witness clips of him on both sides of the ball and special teams. Height and length stand out when it comes to Phelps, who has a projectable frame capable of adding plenty of good weight without the loss of agility. He flashes the ability to make plays from the second level of the defense or with his hand in the dirt. Based on the current film, a future off of the edge looks like a viable path to the next level, but there's time for development at receiver, tight end or linebacker.     Smith played for a Gilbert freshman team in 2025 that won all eight of its games, most of them convincingly. It should set up key members of that squad to contributed on the varsity in 2026 with the Tigers taking graduation hits to the roster. Smith appears like a student-athlete ready for an opportunity when watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/27243453/68c5e4b9a355a35c8c58b6bf">ninth-grade highlight video</a>. First, he's physically advanced for his age with a frame with plenty of room for growth. Combining that potential with speed and agility provides a substantial ceiling for Smith. And that's on both sides of the ball. There's upside as a slick-footed O-Lineman with power or an explosive defensive lineman.     One of only three freshmen listed on the Dowling Catholic varsity roster, Flander laid the foundation what he and the Maroons hope is a prosperous final three seasons for the 2025 Class 5A state champions. He rushed six times for 28 yards on the varsity this past fall. Flander also received quality reps on the non-varsity level in a program that's one of the best in the state at developing talent. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/26776584/max-flander/highlights">His Hudl page</a> houses clips from individual games. On them, we see the ninth-grader run with patience, power and a feel for flowing with the play. Flander sees the creases and is slick at slipping through when picking his way between the tackles.     Hill got his feet wet on the Ames varsity as a freshman in 2025. He converted both of his extra-point attempts. The Little Cyclones don't list punting statistics on Bound, but Hill has shown an aptitude for that discipline as well. The ninth grader's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/23192780/Luke-Hill/highlights">Hudl page</a> houses clips from a couple of games. One of them shows him hitting a 32-yard field goal on the non-varsity level. The kick traveled though the middle of the uprights with plenty of distance. There's another clip of a 29-yarder with the same characteristics. Here's what Kolh's Kicking had to say about Hill: Participated in the 2025 Kohl's National Scholarship Invitational and showed consistency throughout the event. He connected on 16 field goals and finished with a kickoff score of 83.20. He also registered a punt score of 78.84, with his top punt traveling 39 yards and hanging for 3.95 seconds. Hill has the tools to continue developing over the years to come.     Hale was listed on the Johnston 2025 varsity roster as a freshman. He did not record any statistics for that squad, instead spending the season developing his craft on a lower level of a program that does a steady job of producing prospects for colleges. Hale's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/27583833/Kain-Hale/highlights">Hudl page</a> houses video from his campaign. On those clips, we witness a student-athlete stressing defenses as a explosive, elusive receiver whether catching passes or taking handoffs. Hale flashes another gear in the open field, becoming a serious threat to take it all the way to the end zone whenever he has the ball in his hands. On defense, the back pedal and changing of directions is smooth with an ability to close quickly on throws.     Sioux City East listed Glass on its varsity roster in 2025. The freshman did not produce any statistics for the top team. He was developing his skills on the lower levels within a program that's among the state'e best at producing prospects for colleges. Glass posted a <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/27943871/68cd7ea9552391f2dfeaa396">highlight tape</a> on his Hudl page. The first clip features him picking off a pass where he high-points the ball with an impressive vertical leap after sticking close in coverage despite the play going off of schedule. On the second clip, Glass beats the defender on a deep pass, where he displays excellent body control in hauling in a pass before tapping his feet down in the back of the end zone. Glass is one to track as a potential breakout player next season.

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