PRZIA Speed Stars to Watch Out For in 2026

Speed kills, and it's always exciting to look for the top athletes in recruiting that may give teams the best edge in terms of outrunning their opponents, and in the case here, these athletes on our list today boast elite speed that will certainly give them an advantage against their opponents as they continue to garner notice from recruiting teams. We take a look at 7 speedy prospects across Iowa to keep an eye on in 2026!    The Yellow Jackets' offense may take a hit in 2026 with the loss of many of their offensive starters from last season, but one gem that should certainly step up as a leader for the team this season will be [player_tooltip player_id='1358941' first='Braxton' last='Parks']. Parks' shined during the 2025 season, finishing with 781 receiving yards on 53 receptions (14.7 YPC) and 10 TDs. Defensively, he racked up 18.5 total tackles, 2 PDs, and 3 INTs. Parks emerged in his sophomore season as an immediate playmaker, being able to torch secondaries in the slot as a consistent vertical threat while also showing outstanding ball skills both offensively and defensively, making him a threat to take it to the house either way. Clocking a 4.59 40 yard time back at the PRZIA/NE showcase in November, Parks is dangerously fast, and considering he's only entering his junior season, there's no telling how much more dangerous he will be by the end of his high school career.     You wouldn't expect QBs to appear commonly on a list like this, but [player_tooltip player_id='1652778' first='CJ' last='Haug'] proves to boast the level of athleticism to warrant his placement among the fastest in the state. Haug showed significant growth from his sophomore season under Center, throwing for 1146 yards, 11 TDs, and 4 INTs while adding 479 rushing yards (7.1 YPC) and 6 rushing TDs. Haug's athleticism is worth noting, as he posted a 4.8 40 yard time, a 9' broad jump, and a 4.6 shuttle time at the combine event back in November, along with a previously posted 32" vertical jump and a 300 lb max squat. Haug took steps forward in his progressions as a passer, looking more in control of his mechanics, and flashing more of his strong potential displayed from his sophomore campaign. Haug could be the real deal in 2026, and a successful senior campaign could parlay into a huge boost in his recruiting profile.     The loss of [player_tooltip player_id='1850755' first='Hudson' last='Krukow'] under Center will affect the Sabers' offense greatly, but Central DeWitt should remain in contention with a strong receiving corps returning in 2026, among them being their leading target, [player_tooltip player_id='1850786' first='Jameson' last='Gregoire']. Gregoire was spectacular in 2025, finishing with 858 receiving yards on 45 receptions (19.1 YPC) and 11 TDs. Gregoire is a lengthy, dynamic athlete who posted a 4.75 40 yard time at our combine event in November, but his game speed showcases his playmaking ability far more than the numbers suggest. A sharp route-runner who showcases the ability to create separation with his footwork as well as make some spectacular catches using his length and strong hands, Gregoire is able to stretch even the most flexible of defenses to its max, and when he gets ahead of the secondary, it's almost impossible to keep up with him. For his size and his speed, Gregoire is a unique talent that should be one of the most coveted pass-catchers in the state as he enters his senior campaign.     The 8-man league showcased an impressive level of speed amongst their athletes, with [player_tooltip player_id='1199304' first='Nolan' last='Gannon'] being among the most evident of standouts among this oft-overlooked unit. While Murray struggled to just 2 wins in 2025, Gannon flashed as one of the offense's brightest spots, leading the team with 499 rushing yards (6.7 YPC) and 9 rushing TDs while adding 6 receptions for 148 yards and a TD and passing for 2 TDs. Gannon also recorded 57.5 tackles (46 solo), 13 TFLs, and an INT at MLB, while also adding a kick return TD. Gannon showcases clear all-purpose potential, and despite his size, plays with a hard-nosed, down-hill running style that is able to both bull his way through contact and lay out some hard hits on opposing ball-carriers. Gannon's speed and tenacity should carry over well as one of the shining stars of the Mustangs' unit entering his senior season, and despite his status in the 8-man conference should garner some serious attention from scouts this upcoming season.     [player_tooltip player_id='2064047' first='Quentin' last='Dalton']'s growth as a dynamic and explosive athlete has helped make him a spectacular central point for the Bulldogs' offense over this last season. Dalton threw for 665 yards, 12 TDs, and 2 INTs while rushing for a team high 1081 rushing yards (9.7 YPC) and 24 rushing TDs. He also recorded 42 tackles (37 solo), a fumble recovery, and 3 INTs on defense, as well as a combined 578 total return yards (21.4 yards per return) and 2 return TDs. Posting a 4.75 40 yard time and a whopping 4.27 shuttle time, Dalton shined brilliantly during our combine event back in November. The Bulldogs were more comfortable with Dalton's running ability as he kept it himself a lot more last season, proving flexible running both horizontally and straight-forward, and proving unstoppable in the open field. Dalton is another 8-man league standout that deserves some serious attention as he enters his senior campaign.     His older brother Jude was the Cardinals' leading receiver in 2025, and while [player_tooltip player_id='2055994' first='Finn' last='Mieska'] spent most of his sophomore season on the JV team, Mieska flashed plenty of potential to fill in the shoes left by his brother entering next season. Seeing most of his playing time on defense, Mieska recorded 19 tackles (14 solo) along with an INT. He also caught one pass on offense, which went for an 80 yard TD, and also went 4/4 on extra points as he may also fill in the void for the starting placekicker role in 2026. Appearing at the PRZIA/NE Showcase event shortly after his sophomore season, Mieska flashed his growth as an athlete, posting a 4.81 40 yard time and a 4.66 shuttle, while his hand size of 9.75" is comparable to that of prominent NFL WRs such as AJ Brown and Courtland Sutton. Mieska should see more growth at both WR and DB entering his junior season, and with his tangibles and impressive play in a limited role could emerge as a star for the Cardinals in 2026.     [player_tooltip player_id='1632665' first='Tyree' last='Turner'] is a unique prospect coming out of Cedar Rapids Jefferson, and playing primarily at Safety, Turner had a huge presence on the J-Hawks defense immediately in his first year as a starter. Turner recorded 64.5 total tackles, 5 TFLs, 2 FFs, a fumble recovery, 2 PDs, and an INT in his sophomore season. Turner's athleticism was on display at our combine series event, impressing our scouts with a 4.57 40 yard time, a 4.44 shuttle, and a 9'6" broad jump. Turner took huge steps forward in his development as a sophomore, taking the helm as a productive defender who plays well in run-defense, is able to force game-changing turnovers, and is a strong tackler. Turner's development over this last season and this offseason may propel him into a nice spot in our rankings very soon.

Speed kills, and it's always exciting to look for the top athletes in recruiting that may give teams the best edge in terms of outrunning their opponents, and in the case here, these athletes on our list today boast elite speed that will certainly give them an advantage against their opponents as they continue to garner notice from recruiting teams. We take a look at 7 speedy prospects across Iowa to keep an eye on in 2026!