Scouting Reports: Iowa Juniors-to-Be Ready for Takeoff

<!-- 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 moved into May 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":["2203503"],"_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-69fb5d5a6e973"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">DeWeese got his feet wet as a sophomore on the Williamsburg varsity in 2025, flashing ability and impacting the action when given opportunities. He caught a pair of passes for 33 yards and a touchdown. DeWeese also intercepted a pass and chipped in with three tackles. We can witness how DeWeese influences the game when watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18329835/6908bd380d7ee19be47ec6b5" id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18329835/6908bd380d7ee19be47ec6b5">10th-grade highlight video</a>. It opens with him running a short hitch and go from the slot and cooking the secondary for a 35-yard score. On the second clip, he covers a short crossing route as a cornerback, reads the eyes of the quarterback and jumps the throw for a pretty clean pick. He lines up at as a gunner on kick coverage on the third play, flying down the field and delivering an open-field tackle before the return man can get going. They're three great examples of a versatile, athletic prospect with speed and quickness. DeWeese's projectable frame has plenty of room to fill out without the loss of the agility that makes him effective already.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2203511"],"_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-69fb61560e06b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When Marsh was given a chance to show what he could do, the sophomore impressed for Des Moines Christian in 2025. He collected 12.5 tackles, eight of which were of the solo variety. Marsh registered five tackles for loss and a sack and a half. He also intercepted a pass. The <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18463232/69e526fdf25d783f55a17476" id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18463232/69e526fdf25d783f55a17476">10th-grade highlight video</a> provides evidence as to how Marsh gets the job done. On the first two clips, he stands up off of the right edge, exploding at the snap and using straight-line speed to sack the quarterback, once with the help of a teammate. Marsh lines up off the left edge on Play 3, sets the edge and funnels the running back inside before dropping him for little to no gain. Athletic and quick, Marsh begins plays from various spots on the defensive line and linebacker, reading and reacting well no matter where he starts out. His frame has plenty of room to fill out and add strength without the loss of the explosiveness and speed that already lead to success. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2203525"],"_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-69fb63c29b526"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">On a veteran Algona defense in 2025, Gatton showed the future is bright when given a chance to contribute to the cause. Four of the sophomore's 7.5 tackles were solo stops. He also chipped in a tackle for loss. When not operating for the varsity, Gatton honed his skills on the lower levels of the Bulldog program and should be ready for a big step forward this coming season when more reps come his way. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22545388/699cb8b2901e49484e911b9b" id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22545388/699cb8b2901e49484e911b9b">10th-grade highlight video</a> reveals a prospect with a good chance of breaking out with more time on the field. The first clip has him lining up at linebacker and blasting through the gap for a tackle for loss. It featured straight-line speed, balance and a strong tackle. Gatton looks most comfortable working in the middle of the second level, where he quickly diagnoses what's coming and finds his way to the ball by avoiding and shedding blocks. Gatton is built low to the ground with a strong base and power. It will be interesting to see what he can accomplish during his final two campaigns of prep ball with the potential for a big impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2203538"],"_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-69fb64472f6e8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Vallejo-Montoya shared place-kicking duties with a senior last season, setting the sophomore up with an opportunity to be the starter during his final two prep seasons. His statistics as a part-timer in 2025 would been coveted by other specialists that had full-time gigs. He knocked through both of his field-goal attempts, with a long from 31 yards out, and was 21 of 28 on extra points. Vallejo-Montoya kicked off 26 times as well. A starter on the Winterset soccer team this spring, his Hudl page houses highlights from that sport with a smattering of clips from the gridiron. Vallejo-Montoya shows plenty of leg strength when punching his 31-yarder through the uprights. That asset shows up in kickoffs as well. With time to sharpen his craft and add power, Vallejo-Montoya is a prospect to watch moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2203542"],"_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-69fb65bb617b7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smith contributed wherever he could as a Sioux Center sophomore in 2025. The linebacker/running back chipped in 11.0 tackles, 11 of which were solo stops, in helping the Warriors reach the state quarterfinals a year after making it to the UNI-Dome in a smaller classification. He also recorded a tackle for loss and caught three passes for 18 yards.. Smith even punted a couple of times for a 31.0-yard average. If his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23040547/694cbe0de371a29ddc9ea4c5" id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23040547/694cbe0de371a29ddc9ea4c5">10th-grade highlight video</a> is any indication, last season could serve as a foundation for a breakout in the fall. The first clip has him lining up as a slot corner, reading the play and taking the underneath route before defending a short pass. His actions were quick and fluid. The receiver attempts to beat him on a straight go route on Play 2. Smith has little trouble keeping up, reads the eyes of the pass catcher and breaks up the pass. He breaks off a route and supports the run on the third clip. The rest of the film features production and strong fundamentals. Smith is tall enough to play defensive back already with a frame capable of filling out and adding strength. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->