Scouting Reports: Breakout Candidates in 2028

<!-- 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>We've reached the end of 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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's another batch of fresh reports:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2196321"],"_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-69f3a1b4258dd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><br>Hoyos stood out as a sophomore during what was a difficult 2025 season for Sioux City West. The performance provided hope for the Wolverine future. He finished the campaign with 22.5 tackles, 18 of which were solo stops. Hoyos recorded 3.0 tackles for loss and a trio of sacks. He also forced a fumble. The <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22134255/68f93656ec5609ef43ac9314" id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22134255/68f93656ec5609ef43ac9314">10th-grade highlight video</a> reveals how Hoyos found success as an underclassmen on the 4A level. He explodes off of the edge and is capable of beating a lot of tackles around the outside with speed alone. A high-motor player, Hoyos is relentless in pursuit of the ball, whether that's when chasing down the quarterback or crashing down on a running back. While he mostly lines up on the outside, he can deliver from an interior position as well. Even when Hoyos doesn't make the tackle, he's usually creating chaos around the ball. He has an excellent chance to take a step forward and break out in 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2196356"],"_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-69f3a234808b3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><br>Denison-Schleswig benefited from the production of Paulsen last fall. The sophomore served in the running back rotation and even was called on to throw as pass. His defensive contributions included three solo tackles and a fumble recovery. He took his lone kick return back 18 yards. Paulsen houses clips from several 2025 games on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/27390254/Cale-Paulsen/highlights" id="https://www.hudl.com/profile/27390254/Cale-Paulsen/highlights">Hudl page</a>. On them, we witness a back that gets downhill in a hurry with the speed to get to the outside. Paulsen makes quick decisions with the ball in his hands, picking a lane and hitting the hole. He changes directions well and brings a burst, traits that also work well on the defensive side of the ball, too. Paulsen is the only one of the Monarch's Top 4 rushers from a year ago that will be returning this coming campaign. He looks ready to take on a bigger role and prosper, making him a breakout candidate for 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2196382"],"_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-69f3a289d1613"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><br>Marion is a program with a rich history of producing athletes for the next level. It can make it hard for underclassmen to find a way into the lineup, often entering it when they're upperclassmen replacing departing seniors. It makes Taylor's contributions to the Wolves' varsity as a 10th-grade in 2025 all that more impressive. He rushed for 214 yards, the third most on the team, and scored a touchdown on the ground. Taylor also ranked second on the squad in receptions and receiving yardage. He chipped in a couple of solo tackles and a half tackle for loss. It's a broad base of skills that show up during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22849338/69f014d568518b96856cfa06" id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22849338/69f014d568518b96856cfa06">sophomore highlight video</a>. The opening clip has him snaring a one-handed catch running a swing route out of the backfield and turning it upfield for a nice gain. On the second clip, he takes a belly handoff from the fullback spot and barrels ahead for a nice gain. With the graduation of its leading rusher, Marion will be seeking more from Taylor, who looks poised to break out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2196410"],"_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-69f3a2e75ef68"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><br>Wazac handed out pancakes in 2025 at a rate that would have made iHop proud. The Cedar Rapids Washington sophomore issued 59 such blocks throughout the campaign, helping the Warriors punch ahead for 2,433 yards (6.7 YPC) and 25 touchdowns on the ground. I got to see him operate in person during a game against North Scott at Kington Stadium. He was a key part of an offensive front returning a lot of firepower in 2026, which could lead to Wazac breaking out even more than he has to date. He recently uploaded individual game highlights to his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/23209974/Aaron-Wazac/highlights" id="https://www.hudl.com/profile/23209974/Aaron-Wazac/highlights">Hudl page</a>. The performance backs up what I saw live. Wazac lines up at left guard and explodes off of the snap. He's agile and athletic. Already with a good amount of strength and power, Wazac's frame still has room to fill out and add in both of those areas. He has a good feel for hand placement and how to leverage opponents with a good chance for more growth there as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2196417"],"_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-69f3a3793aa46"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><br>Cedar Rapids Washington enjoys a rich history on the gridiron. The Warriors still are producing talent for the next level on a regular basis these days. That's why it's smart checking on guys coming up through the program, especially those players finding success as underclassmen. With that in mind, [player_tooltip player_id='2196417' first='Andrew' last='Butikofer'] is a dude that should be on the radar as a prospect packed with potential. It could start being realized at an advanced rate in 2026, when more opportunities are likely coming his way. As a sophomore last year, eight of his 11.0 tackles were of the solo variety. He collected 3.0 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks. He intercepted a pass, defended a pass and recovered a fumble. Butikofer even delivered a pair of pancake blocks while lining up at tight end. When viewing his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22960360/69021b9e0d2241dbb0942f13" id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22960360/69021b9e0d2241dbb0942f13">10th-grade highlight video</a>, we see him pick off a pass lining up as a defensive end. It shows a great deal of quickness, agility and awareness. The rest of the film features him disrupting to proceedings of opposing offenses throughout. With another offseason of adding strength to his projectable frame, a breakout season could very well be loading. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->