Kickoff ’26: X-Factors for Each Team in Class 5A Group 3

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/07/kickoff-26-x-factors-for-each-team-in-class-5-group-1/">Kickoff '26: X-Factors for Each Team in Class 5 Group 1</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/07/kickoff-26-x-factors-for-each-team-in-class-5-group-2/">Kickoff '26: X-Factors for Each Team in Class 5 Group 2</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/07/kickoff-26-x-factors-for-each-team-in-class-5-group-4/">Kickoff '26: X-Factors for Each Team in Class 5A Group 4</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/07/kickoff-26-x-factors-for-each-team-in-class-5-group-5/?itm_source=parsely-api">Kickoff '26: X-Factors for Each Team in Class 5A Group 5</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/07/kickoff-26-x-factors-for-each-team-in-class-5-group-6/?itm_source=parsely-api">Kickoff '26: X-Factors for Each Team in Class 5A Group 6</a>   It's hard to believe a new high school football season is so close. The first games kick off Aug. 29. While we want to enjoy the rest of the summer, it's ok to be excited about another run of Friday night lights.   In preparation for the upcoming campaign, I'll be rolling out content to get us ready. We'll be looking at X-factors to get started.    In what ended up being a difficult season at Ames in 2025, the Little Cyclones were searching for signs of hope. Canny put together a sophomore season providing just that. The potential for much more this fall shines through when watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19908729/691b75cece1a8f0f079dda47" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19908729/691b75cece1a8f0f079dda47">10th-grade highlight video</a>. Canny stands out for his versatility in proving proficient lining up at right guard and right tackle. He features the power to push people around on the inside. Agility and slick feet make him a factor in pass protection, too. A rebuild starts up front, and Canny is an excellent building block for Ames to take a step forward this fall.     <a href="https://x.com/Dawsonwhitinger/status/2053622109297938786?s=20">Strength is not a problem</a> for Whitinger. On top of that, he's a 6-foot-2, 215-pound linebacker that reports running the 100 meters in a laser time of 10.92 seconds. His frame has plenty of room to fill out without the loss of speed or agility. The South Dakota commitment possesses the talents to impact games at a high level from the second level of the Hawk defense. Whitinger covers a lot of ground sideline to sideline. He can run with receivers and tight ends, and comes downhill in a hurry against the run. Ankeny's roster is filled with difference-makers on defense, and Whitinger is one high up on the opponent's scouting report.     A starter in basketball, the 6-foot-2, 175-pounder De Jager is a prospect that stands out athletically among the top guys in Iowa's 2027 recruiting class. It's a high ceiling in football if he were to focus his time and energy on one sport. His projectable frame adds to his upside for colleges who have been slow to recognize the investment potential here. That could be as a pass catcher or lining up in the secondary on the next level. His<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/21205688/68fcee40eb7926ec3656a2e7"> junior highlight video</a> provides evidence of a high ceiling. Lincoln opponents will be focused on him as a receiver after he hauled in 42 balls for 707 yards and all six of his team's six touchdowns through the air. On defense, he had 20 solo tackles, a tackle for loss, a forced fumble and an interception.     Asani broke out as a Roosevelt sophomore last season and an opportunity to take another big step forward in 2026 is quite clearly in play. Thirty six of his 42.5 tackles were solo stops. He posted 5.5 tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble and a pair of fumble recoveries. Asani stands out for his athleticism and speed. It's a well-rounded skill set that allows for sticking in coverage or bowing up against the run. It could be a hyrbid, linebacker or safety on the next level. As a prep, it's a big headache for Roughrider opponents. Remember the name.     Johnston should be considered a factor in the Class 5A race for its plethora of returning talent. It's odds are greatened by having a difference-maker at the sport's most important position. Helming is a polished product behind center with a lot of upside that Northern Iowa hopes to extract in the future from the Panther commitment. It's a powerful arm with a smooth operation leading to a quick release and accurate throws. A defense allowing Helming to settle into a rhythm is in for a long night. He completed 61 percent of his passes for 1,895 yards and 20 touchdowns against just three interceptions last fall. Helming added two scores on the ground. On that of that, he's mobile, keeping plays alive off schedule or picking up yards with his legs.     Clayborne is one of the state's top players regardless of position. He also boasts one of its highest upsides, presenting 2026 prep opponents being in a precarious position trying to deal with him. The Minnesota pledge stresses defenses as an athletic, physical tight end that caught 27 balls for 302 yards and six scores a year ago. Of his 51.0 tackles, 35 were solo stops. Clayborne posted 10.5 tackles for loss, a sack, an interception and a fumble recovery as a menacing linebacker haunting opponents from sideline to sideline. In many ways, Clayborne is too fast and physical for the level. His future in Minneapolis is an exciting one.

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