Predicting Potential DB Breakouts in Iowa for 2026

<!-- 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>While we don't want to wish summer away too fast, it's easy to peak around the corner and see the Iowa high school football season quickly approaching. Friday night lights will be shining brightly before we know it. In preparation for the upcoming campaign, I thought it would be fun identifying five breakout candidates at each position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's the group at the defensive back position:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1707641' first='Ace' last='Schwieger'], 2029, Cedar Rapids Prairie</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cedar Rapids Prairie is a program that's long been proficient at producing talented student-athletes for the next level. The Prairie Hawks currently are in a cycle of accomplishing that development at a high rate. Schwieger shows potential to be among the next in line when we watch his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/24868790/691238e4b961307c3427bdb4" id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/24868790/691238e4b961307c3427bdb4">freshman highlight video</a>. It features him delivering big plays in all three phases. His speed and positional flexibility should lead to varsity contributions in 2026 with a breakout a good bet if he receives a chance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2112442' first='Graham' last='Wilkening'], 2029, Norwalk</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seeing time as a freshman on a Class 5A varsity is an achievement. Wilkening managed to do it in 2025 for a Norwalk team that won five games in moving up a class, narrowly missing the postseason. Graduation losses open up opportunities for guys to earn more playing time, and Wilkening looks like one ready to take advantage when viewing his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/23542998/Graham-Wilkening/highlights" id="https://www.hudl.com/profile/23542998/Graham-Wilkening/highlights">highlights on Hudl</a>. He's an active safety that diagnoses plays well before the snap and flows well to the football, regularly separating from the blocks on the way to it. Wilkening's projectable frame and athleticism provide him with a high ceiling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2123525' first='Josiah' last='Pollard'], 2029, Waterloo East</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During a winless 2025, Waterloo East searched for positive signs that the future would be brighter. The Trojans found hope in young players packed with potential. Pollard was one of those dudes. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23159778/690fa9ff74301bea69fa3627" id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23159778/690fa9ff74301bea69fa3627">freshman highlight video</a> reveals a fast, athletic prospect capable of contributing at multiple positions. The most immediate impact should show up in the secondary, where he can fill in at slot corner or slide over to safety, operating with physicality against the run. Pollard also affects outcomes with his performance on special teams. A breakout could very well be loading.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1211018' first='Cedric' last='Johnson Jr']., 2028, WDM Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Waiting your turn to get on the field at West Des Moines Valley is a common path. The school annually boasts a roster ranked among to deepest and most talented in the state. That's why it's wise to examine the program when digging for breakout candidates in a given season. And Johnson Jr. appears to be a solid pick when we watch his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23168932/67b1033609355bd53c47734b" id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23168932/67b1033609355bd53c47734b">sophomore highlight video</a> of 2025. His actions as an outside corner are fluid with easy change-of-direction and acceleration. Long arms and a solid frame aid him when closing windows in coverage and when coming down in supporting the run. He's effective as a gunner on special teams' coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1639748' first='Gavin' last='Gardner-Smith'], 2028, Dowling Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gardner-Smith set the stage for what could very well be a breakout season in 2026 after seeing varsity time as a sophomore last fall. Dowling Catholic won the Class 5A state championship. And, like Valley, the Maroon roster is loaded every year and working towards earning playing time through development is a right of passage. More chances should be available following the exhaustion of eligibility for players high on last year's depth chart. Gardner-Smith is poised to take advantage of the situation if his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22880243/6925fab9d6314f69fd59e41a" id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22880243/6925fab9d6314f69fd59e41a">sophomore highlight video</a> is any indication. With natural instincts and abilities to excel at safety, he identifies the opposition's intentions well before the snap and gets to the football fast once the action is underway. He's quick and changes directions well, which aid him in locking down in coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->