Building Iowa’s Perfect Linebacker – Class of 2027

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cultivating the perfect linebacker in the state of Iowa's class of 2027 with different attributes from receivers across the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/building-the-state-of-iowas-perfect-quarterback-class-of-2027/">Building the State of Iowa's Perfect Quarterback – Class of 2027</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/building-the-state-of-iowas-perfect-running-back-class-of-2027/">Building the State of Iowa's Perfect Running Back – Class of 2027</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/building-iowas-perfect-wide-receiver-class-of-2027/">Building Iowa's Perfect Wide Receiver – Class of 2027</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/building-iowas-perfect-tight-end-class-of-2027/">Building Iowa's Perfect Tight End – Class of 2027</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/building-iowas-perfect-offensive-lineman-class-of-2027/">Building Iowa's Perfect Offensive Lineman – Class of 2027</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Size and Frame:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1644914' first='Kyler' last='Van Maanen'] - Pella</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The type of prospect one sees walk on the field and immediately thinks, "Oh, that's a Power 4 linebacker," Van Maanen is a dude for the Dutch. Standing at 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, the future Hawkeye linebacker could play all three of Iowa's MIKE, WILL or LEO positions in its base, 4-3 defense at his size. Van Maanen is an intimidating as they come on this list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Motor:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1532913' first='Nick' last='Milburn'] - Newton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state-leader in tackles this last year with a flat-out <em>ridiculous </em>120 tackles in 12 games, Milburn was all over the field for Newton. One of several key players that will end up playing at the Division I level as a Northern Illinois commit, the Cardinals don't have anywhere near the success they did last season without the play of Milburn. A 100% effort, 100% of the time type of prospect, the Huskies struck gold in landing him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Athleticism:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1197483' first='Braylon' last='Bingham'] - Pleasantville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A fluid, smooth moving athlete that plays a mixture of safety and quarterback for the Trojans, Bingham will play linebacker for Iowa. A classic, two-way star that also serves as the signal caller for Pleasantville, Bingham is a born and bred Hawkeye that, when coming down a level to the middle of the defense, will have his background as a QB and a safety play in his favor. Rangy and hard-hitting as a DB and able to take off and run as a QB while surveying the defense, Bingham is uber athletic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Violence</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1198829' first='Kason' last='Clayborne'] - Sioux City East</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of two linebackers that will leave the Hawkeye state to play for Minnesota, Clayborne is the type of linebacker that isn't afraid to take a ball-carrier's head off. Able to blitz through the line of scrimmage, pop an OL in the mouth and then make the tackle, Clayborne is a relentless linebacker that wants to put his hands on somebody and drag them to the ground. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Football IQ:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1609271' first='Gavin' last='Stecker'] - Iowa</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The one time I was able to see Stecker play in person last fall, he was involved in every single play on defense. That doesn't happen without attention to detail and understanding of the game. A prospect that feels like he's molded to play the MIKE backer position at Iowa, Stecker felt like a Hawkeye from the jump, despite his other offers from programs like Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State and Minnesota. A cerebral LB that may not posssess the same physical tools as a prospect like Van Maanen, Stecker knows what's going on at all times in the middle of the Bettendorf defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pass-Rushing</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='466364' first='Tate' last='Wallace'] - Regina Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playing defensive end for the majority of his snaps at Regina, Wallace will be an excellent fit at outside linebacker for the Gophers at the next level. Making the list for tight ends in the blocking portion, Wallace is the type of prospect to put his face through a ball-carrier and take them to the ground without mercy. He takes that same mentality to the edge of the defensive line for Regina, which resulted in 18 tackles-for-loss and 8.5 sacks last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->