Iowa Seniors-To-Be with Next-Level Ability

<!-- 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>Colleges have done well in mining Iowa's 2027 recruiting class. Twelve different guys have verbally committed to Power 4 programs. Quite a few others have pledged to FBS and FCS schools.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even with those sizable numbers, a lot of talent from the state for the cycle remains in the board. Here's a closer look at a group of them:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1590044' first='Thomas' last='Fereday'], OL/DL, Columbus Catholic </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Announced offers:&nbsp;</strong>None.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Situation:</strong> I've written it a lot lately while continuing to spotlight available Iowa 2027s, and I'll say it again about Fereday - this kid is being under-recruited relative to talent level. He is an attractive mix of current production with the projection and developmental upside to boast a high ceiling. The potential comes through clearly when watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20285299/68f263ef950ebcfe34b116d2" id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20285299/68f263ef950ebcfe34b116d2">junior highlight video</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fereday is not without attention from colleges. He camped with Kansas State last summer, and attended junior days at Northern Iowa and St. Thomas in the spring. UNI and Coastal Carolina put him through the paces at their camps earlier this month. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fereday provides prospective programs on the next level with the possibility of developing on either side of the trench. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='600173' first='Reece' last='Wheeler'], QB/ATH, Iowa City West </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Announced offers:&nbsp;</strong>Wisconsin-River Falls. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Situation:</strong> Wheeler stepped in as a first-year varsity starter at quarterback in 2025 and led Iowa City West back to the postseason, earning all-district recognition. He flashed the potential to play that position in college while also showing the athleticism lining up there that leaves open the possibility of fitting somewhere else on the next level. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/21625734/691165e174301bea69fb757f" id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/21625734/691165e174301bea69fb757f">junior highlight video</a> reveals these traits. Having watched him operate in person multiple times, I will co-sign on the intriguing upside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Colleges share that opinion. Wheeler visited North Dakota State and Northern Illinois for games this past season. During January, Iowa, South Dakota, South Dakota State, Drake and Northwest Missouri State came by West High to talk with him. He took in junior days at Lindenwood and St. Thomas this year, and had Wisconsin-River Falls in to see him and offer an opportunity last month. He camped with Iowa State on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1361354' first='Max' last='Merrill'], OL, Linn-Mar</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Announced offers:&nbsp;</strong>None.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Situation:</strong> Like the others in this rundown, Merrill is a curious case of being under-pursued by colleges relative to talent and potential. I saw him match up well with Iowa City West during an in-person scout last season. However, his recruitment could be stunted by a lack of video highlights from his junior season being available on line. Programs on the next level need something to evaluate. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Be that as it may, there are schools aware of his tremendous upside. Western Michigan, North Dakota and Minnesota State Mankato all visited him at Linn-Mar last month. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hitting up team camps and producing as a senior would be a path to more attention. The athleticism and footwork are there, as evidenced by his accomplishments in track and field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1621099' first='Jarin' last='Hoffman'], RB/ATH Kuemper Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Announced offers:&nbsp;</strong>None.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Situation:</strong> I was very impressed with Hoffman when watching him compete during the state semifinals last year. He played a major role in Kuemper Catholic winning the Class 2A state championship with an unbeaten season. A path to future success running the rock on the college level was readily apparent for the first-team all-state selection. The athleticism, physicality and speed that could work at another position also were present and contained in his<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19759144/694464763e7520734578d9bc" id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19759144/694464763e7520734578d9bc"> junior highlight video</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hoffman has reported interest from colleges, but his talent level and potential justify there being more. Iowa State, North Dakota State, Minnesota State Mankato, Drake and Brown all have been in contact. Summer camps and another productive prep season might be what it takes for him to convince staffs to bet on him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1844805' first='Raif' last='Baack'], LB/DB, Clear Lake</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Announced offers:&nbsp;</strong>None.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Situation:</strong> The 6-foot, 205-pound Baack could fit as a linebacker or safety on the next level depending on how he develops physically and from a football standpoint. The scheme also will help determine it. But, if you take time to watch his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16888280/691df1202727ce863ba2be1d" id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16888280/691df1202727ce863ba2be1d">junior highlight video</a>, the evidence is there that he can help plenty of schools on defense and special teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Baack is hearing from colleges. He visited Augustana, Winona State, Upper Iowa, Bemidji State, Sioux Falls and Wisconsin-Platteville this year. <a href="https://x.com/rbaack11/status/2055844441529700441/photo/1" id="https://x.com/rbaack11/status/2055844441529700441/photo/1">Bemidji State</a> and <a href="https://x.com/rbaack11/status/2064683929320198183/photo/1" id="https://x.com/rbaack11/status/2064683929320198183/photo/1">Augustana</a> had him at camps during the last month. He performed well and should continue attending camps to which he's invited. There's upside here, for sure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->