Film Room: Checking Out Promising Iowa 2027s

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area   We made it to April a step closer to the 2026 season. Prep Redzone Iowa has continued preparations for it by rifling through student-athletes' highlight videos and churning out evaluations.   If you don't yet have highlights on your Hudl page, interested college coaches will be looking for them on there and elsewhere. Ask for help if you need it in compiling a video with any clips you have.   Here's another batch of fresh reports:    Burns did just about everything on Friday nights save working the concession stand at halftime. The East Marshall junior accumulated 28.5 tackles, 21 of which were solo stops. He added a tackle for loss and a pair of interceptions. On offense, he hauled in 32 receptions for 476 yards and four touchdowns, rushed for 38 yards and a score on three carries, and contributed a two-point conversion. Burns averaged 18.6 yards on seven punt returns and 16.0 yards on five kick returns. He produced 24 touchbacks on 37 kickoffs and was 2 of 2 on field-goal attempts, including a long from 32 yards out. The broad base of skills and athleticism required to produce in all of those areas of the game are easily spotted when watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19950223/69506b42d44564ced13210ae" id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19950223/69506b42d44564ced13210ae">11th-grade highlight video</a>. Burns rips off a long punt return on the opening clip, making multiple guys miss in tight quarters before busting out and flashing speed. He lines up as an outside receiver on Clip 2, selling an underneath route and crossing up the cornerback before taking off for a long catch down the field. There's a lot of explosiveness in Burns' game in all three phases. His frame can comfortably add good weight in a college strength and conditioning program.     LaRue was an important piece of a West Dubuque defense that yielded only 10.7 points per game against a difficult schedule in 2025. The junior registered 11.0 tackles, seven of which were of the solo variety, and a half tackle for loss. He intercepted a pass, returning it to the house for a Pick-6. We can witness how LaRue gets the job done when watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22968247/69818232471880b283efe792" id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22968247/69818232471880b283efe792">11th-grade highlight video</a>. He's a downhill safety quickly identifying the opponent's intentions and reacting in a flash. LaRue plays a physical brand of football, making sure the ball carrier feels the impact. He's a technically-sound tackler that breaks down and wraps. LaRue looks fast running straight ahead and quick when moving laterally. He flows well to the football. LaRue's attributes help him stick in coverage, where smooth hip actions and change of direction also lead to success.     Hoekstra helped Wilton reach the Class 3A state semifinals in 2025. The junior was credited with 16.5 tackles, 11 of which were solo stops. The first thing that comes to mind when watching Hoekstra's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23709866/6983854ad14fce077b7445a0" id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23709866/6983854ad14fce077b7445a0">11th-grade highlight video</a> is physicality. The first clip features him crashing through a gap, grabbing the ball carrier and lifting him into a tackle. Most of his stops on the tape finish with a packed punch that leaves the ball carrier feeling the hit, perhaps for awhile. Hoekstra disengages from blocks quickly with a combination of strength and active hands. He moves well laterally, straight ahead and when backpedaling. Hip actions are smooth, allowing for necessary changing of direction. Hoekstra's reported testing numbers speak to the power and explosiveness we see on film. He lists a 33-inch standing vertical leap with 275 pounds on the bench, 465 squatting and 265 clean lift. He's a three-sport athlete     Bates chipped in on the Indianola defensive line during the 2025. He tallied 5.0 tackles, three of which were solo stops, and a half tackle for loss. His best work occurred on the offensive front, however, where he helped the squad rush for 1,420 yards and 15 touchdowns, and throw for 1,385 yards and 11 scores. Bates illustrates how he gets the job done during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18414718/691657cfb81c8d758803c081" id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18414718/691657cfb81c8d758803c081">11th-grade highlight video</a>. Lining up at left tackle, Bates provides a well-rounded skill set. He bursts off of the snap and into the chest of opponents in the power run game. When the play calls for it, Bates can get out and pick off defenders in space. The quickness off of the snap helps in pass protection as does his balance and smooth feet in staying in front of the pass rusher. Bates' frame has room to fill out in the college strength and conditioning program, and he could find future success on the inside of the offensive line, depending on how his frame fills out.     Gauley impacted games on both sides of the trench during the 2025 Newell-Fonda campaign. Defensively, the junior came up with 19.5 tackles, six of which were solo stops. He also recovered a fumble. On the offensive front, Gauley helped the Mustangs rush for 942 yards and 15 touchdowns, and throw for 1,740 yards and 24 scores. When we pop on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20007973/690e5b73626691989131b358" id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20007973/690e5b73626691989131b358">11th-grade highlight video</a>, we witness a center serving up pancakes like he's at a high school fundraiser. Gauley operates with optimal pad level, gaining leverage on opponents and driving through them with a power. His hands are active and strong, allowing him to control defenders before finishing them off. Gauley moves well laterally and is light on his feet, which helps him hold up well in pass protection. Finding consistently good centers along the recruiting trail can be tricky, but Gauley looks like one with plenty of potential.

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