Checking In with Iowa Seniors Packed with Potential

<!-- 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='2069978' first='Bradley' last='Kenealy'], LB/S, Council Bluffs Jefferson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Announced offers:&nbsp;</strong>None.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Situation:</strong> During what was a difficult season for Council Bluffs Jefferson in 2025, junior Kenealy provided hope that brighter days were ahead for the Yellow Jackets. He led them in total tackles (51.0) and solo stops (43), ranked third in tackles for loss (4.5) and forced a fumble. He added 59 yards (4.9 YPC) and a touchdown on the ground, and caught four balls for 35 yards. As can be witnessed when watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/26516992/6904d4f9e506a16ff8f3869a" id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/26516992/6904d4f9e506a16ff8f3869a">11th-grade highlight video</a>, Kenealy runs well in a straight line and laterally playing on the defense's second level. He would fit nicely into college schemes at linebacker. His agility and skill might also work as a hybrid or safety.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kenealy hasn't reported receiving interest from colleges, which seems like a clear oversight considering his potential. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2085547' first='Daxon' last='Kiesau'], LS/OL, Urbandale</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Announced offers:&nbsp;</strong>None.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Situation:</strong> As time goes on, successful college programs are throwing more time and resources at special teams' play. It's smart. Games are close and any edge anywhere can prove impactful. Kiesau is a highly-regarded long snapper, according to trainers that focus on specialists. Programs at the next level tend to wait on filling the long snapper spot on the roster. The recruitment can stretch well into a student-athlete's senior season, meaning time is on Kiesau's side. He looks consistent during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19669102/69059f52463a680a36e756f7" id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19669102/69059f52463a680a36e756f7">junior highlight video</a> long snapping and flashes <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19669102/6906e96c295322328343e9d9" id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19669102/6906e96c295322328343e9d9">potential as an offensive lineman</a>, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Iowa State and Notre Dame had Kiesau on campus recently. He's heard from Northern Iowa, Michigan State, Arizona, Kansas State and others. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616414' first='Evan' last='Kinney'], OL, Glenwood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Announced offers:&nbsp;</strong>None.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Situation:</strong> Kinney has dedicated his offseason to <a href="https://x.com/EvanK_52/status/2051352591506759845?s=20" id="https://x.com/EvanK_52/status/2051352591506759845?s=20">improving his strength</a>. That pursuit meshes well with his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19428125/6913a16fbc2272d60c031475" id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19428125/6913a16fbc2272d60c031475">junior highlight video</a> from 2025. He fits best on the interior of the offensive line with power in tight quarters and mobility to get into space an smoothly reach blocks. Kinney uses his hands well and does a good job getting his pads down in driving through the defender. It's a set of skills that are worthy of development on the O-Line but also could work on defense should development stall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska-Kearney and Minnesota State-Moorhead invited Kinney to camps. He's a guy that could help plenty of colleges and will raise his stock with a strong senior season this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2087282' first='Brady' last='Kirch'], DB, Central Lyon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Announced offers:&nbsp;</strong>Northwestern College.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Situation:</strong> Central Lyon has done well developing versatile athletes capable of adding value to college rosters. The depth of talent in that demographic can lead to some guys being overshadowed. I think that's the case with Kirch, whose potential should be equaling more attention along the recruiting trail. He best fits as a college defensive back prospect but speed and athleticism also could be developed on offense. Kirch would be a special teams' asset early in his career on the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northwestern College liked what it saw in Kirch and offered him a chance to play in college during late February. He also was invited to Upper Iowa. He's a dude that could really raise his stock with a sound senior prep seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2087280' first='Tyler' last='Kneip'], LB, ADM</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Announced offers:&nbsp;</strong>Northwestern College, Moningside, Grand View, Dordt, Wisconsin-Platteville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Situation:</strong> Kneip is a prospect with plenty of projection remaining. At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, he runs well and his agile, traits he'll hold when he adds mass and strength. Kneip flashes a bunch of upside while playing linebacker during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16712134/697419fb6b510df375168c8a" id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16712134/697419fb6b510df375168c8a">junior highlight video</a> of 2025 at ADM. He sees the field clearly and gets downhill to the football fast. Change of direction and burst make him effective in coverage. It's very worthwhile developing him on the second level of the defense. That said, a path to success at tight end also is on the table.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kneip has reported college opportunities from Northwestern College, Moningside, Grand View, Dordt and Wisconsin-Platteville. Upper Iowa, Wayne State and others also have been in contact. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->