Scouting Reports: Iowa Juniors-to-Be Trending Up

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area   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.   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:    Wright has been on the Prep Redzone Iowa radar for some time now. The sophomore ranked second on Dallas Center-Grimes in receptions (27) and receiving yards (414) during the fall. He added a pair of touchdown catches. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22526805/691e4053c047e2e5a58f5814" id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22526805/691e4053c047e2e5a58f5814">His highlights</a> impress. I got to see Wright in action at the Back 2 Ballin High 7v7 Tournament during the middle of April at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Working with Level Up, Wright <a href="https://x.com/Gabewright28/status/2046942596841271612?s=20" id="https://x.com/Gabewright28/status/2046942596841271612?s=20">put together a solid weekend</a> against a competitive field, which included some of the state's best. I'm impressed with his ability to handle velocity in the air thanks to reliable hands and sound technique. Wright rips off crisp routes, often gaining a quick advantage on the defender. He's quick in space and can hit the jets once in the clear. When combining the performance at The Dome with his sophomore highlights, we witness a prospect with a chance to keep rising up the ranks of a strong in-state group at the position.     I first received an in-person scouting opportunity of Lockard during last April's Back 2 Ballin 7v7 tournament at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. The potential shined through and had me keeping an eye on how he did as a sophomore at Waverly-Shell Rock last fall. While he contributed on offense and defense, the sophomore really stood out on special teams. He averaged 21.4 yards on a team-high eight kick returns, an area of need after an injury at the position. Succeeding in that phase of the game tracks with Lockard's skill set as a quick athlete able to do damage in space after creating it. I was reminded of that when watching him at this year's Back 2 Ballin High. Lockard provided a vision of what he can be as a defensive back capable of sticking with receivers throughout routes. It stems from fluid movements and an ability to smoothly change directions. Those traits also could lead to success at receiver, which may be a path to the next level, depending on development.     Rip City Legends 18U impressed in winning the gold bracket at the Back 2 Ballin High 2026 7v7 Tournament during the middle of April at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. The squad is filled with playmakers, making it hard to stand out. Carlton managed to do that with his performance in the event where weak links are exposed. The spring success followed a fall where he was an important piece of a Dallas Center-Grimes' defense that helped the team reach the Class 5A playoffs. The sophomore produced 24.5 tackles, 20 of which were of the solo variety. He intercepted a pass, and rushed twice for 16 yards. We could see the potential with the ball in his hands when given an opportunity in the passing game at The Dome or for the Mustangs. Both teams lean on his skills as a defensive back, however. Carlton is an athlete with burst that helps him break quickly on the ball. He moves well laterally and in a straight line, and looks smooth in his back-pedal. It all adds up to Carlton being a prospect on the rise.     Worden popped up on my radar when researching interesting sophomores from the 2025 season. The Sioux City North defensive back/receiver accumulated 33.5 tackles, 26 of which were solo stops. He came up with a pair of tackles for loss, a sack, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. Worden produced when called upon on offense, catching a couple of passes for 35 yards and a touchdown. When we pop on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/25201172/6969b07ff57777d528e65aa4" id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/25201172/6969b07ff57777d528e65aa4">10th-grade highlight video</a>, we observe a long-limbed athlete with a projectable frame capable of adding plenty of good weight without the loss of the athleticism that makes him in intriguing prospect. The film opens with his receptions, the first a slick deep route and the second an acrobatic grab in the end zone. From there, we see the high upside on defense as a well-rounded DB capable of sticking in coverage or coming down hard against the run. Worden definitely is one to watch moving forward.     Guys can be overlooked when their teams struggle finding success. Armstrong has popped up as a prospect fitting that mold. For a Des Moines Lincoln outfit that experienced an uneven, 3-6 season in 2025, the sophomore recorded 18.5 tackles, 14 of which were solo stops, from his defensive line position. He registered 4.0 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks. When we pull up his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20490804/690c1a6645668a43e04f17ad" id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20490804/690c1a6645668a43e04f17ad">10th-grade highlight video</a>, Armstrong shows off impressive strength, especially for his age. He operates with optimal leverage in getting under the pads of opponents, whether he's lining up on the interior of the offensive line or taking the snaps at defensive tackle. Armstrong benefits from a solid base and power in his upper body. He already bends well with room for growth in that area. How Armstrong develops physically will play a key role in determining his future position if he chooses to play on the next level. I'm intrigued by him as a guard but am even more interested on the potential at center.

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