Adding Context to PRZIA Iowa '28 Rankings Update

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-6/">Kickoff '26: Class 5A X-Factors</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/kickoff-26-x-factors-for-each-team-in-class-4a-district-6/">Kickoff '26: Class 4A X-Factors</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/kickoff-26-x-factors-for-each-team-in-class-3a-district-6/">Kickoff '26: Class 3A X-Factors</a>   Prep Redzone Iowa kicked off its rankings update series last week with a fresh look at the 2029 Class. The updated rankings can be found <a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/iowa-high-school-football-2029-class-player-rankings/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/iowa-high-school-football-2029-class-player-rankings/">HERE</a>. A positional breakdown from the release can be found <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/rounding-up-te-rb-in-przia-29-rankings-update/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/rounding-up-te-rb-in-przia-29-rankings-update/">HERE</a>.   This week, the 2028 recruiting cycle is being discussed. You can check out the new rundown <a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2028-rankings/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2028-rankings/">HERE</a>.   In going through the ranking process, it became clear that Iowa's 2028 group has a chance to be among the best of the decade. There'll be plenty of competition for the mythical title, including from the class that precedes it, but this year's juniors are strong at the top and crazy deep in talent. More guys will emerge into the public consciousness during the upcoming campaign, too.   As I like to do when releasing updates, putting the front of these rankings in tiers is important. It adds more context to how student-athletes are viewed. Not all Top 10s are created alike.   Since rankings were first released for this class, Dowling Catholic left tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1583613' first='Carter' last='Barrett'] has lived in his own tier at the top. He's been very advanced from the time he stepped on the high school field and has developed wonderfully. Name a college, and the mighty Maroon sophomore likely claims a scholarship offer from it.   While Barrett has continued on a sharp trajectory, other players in this cycle have closed the gap. Are they now in the same tier with him? It's close enough for debate.   Madrid tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1693550' first='Jevyn' last='Severson'] remains the second-ranked prospect. He reports almost 40 scholarship offers, including opportunities from national champion Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State, Florida, Florida State, Auburn, Penn State, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Nebraska and Wisconsin.   Des Moines Christian offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1687033' first='Declan' last='Heying'] also resides in the top tier of these rankings. Iowa, Iowa State, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, Auburn, Nebraska, Minnesota and Missouri are among nearly 20 reported offers for the mauling blocker.   Rounding out the first tier of the update is Sioux City East receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1650312' first='Isaiah' last='Grant']. The long-limbed pass catcher with speed and athleticism packed into a projectable frame shows offers from Iowa, Iowa State, Oklahoma, Penn State, Illinois, Kansas, Georgia tech, Wisconsin and Purdue.   The four-player second tier kicks off with Waverly-Shell Rock receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1596610' first='Jayden' last='Stephens'], who also has a path to college success at other positions thanks to unusual athleticism and explosion. He's capable of pushing into the top tier here with a bounce back from injury in 2026. Stephens reports offers from Iowa, Iowa State, Michigan State and South Dakota.   [player_tooltip player_id='1077234' first='Hayden' last='Shannon'] is going to make some college real happy it secured his commitment. The PCM offensive lineman continues to ascend, claiming offers from Iowa State, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota and Kansas State.   [player_tooltip player_id='1038029' first='James' last='Barnett'] is the only Iowa 2028 known to have verbally committed to a college. The son of Iowa offensive line coach George Barnett will play for his father on the Hawkeye front.   City High offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1588754' first='Lucas' last='Goodrich'] caps off the second tier of these rankings. The sophomore shares that he has offers from Iowa State, Florida Atlantic, Miami (OH) and South Dakota.   The tiers become larger and less clear following the Top 8 of these rankings. Linemen [player_tooltip player_id='2060974' first='Nash' last='Leonard'] (Kuemper Catholic) and [player_tooltip player_id='1877776' first='Brian' last='Robertson'] (Cedar Rapids Washington) lead the third tier and finish off the top 10 of the new rankings. The former is a four-sport athlete with a chance to be special, while the latter also is packed with potential and holds an Iowa State offer.

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area