Ascending Athletes in PRZIA ’28 Rankings Update

<!-- 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><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></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><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></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><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></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/iowa-high-school-football-2029-class-player-rankings/"><strong>HERE</strong></a>. A positional breakdown from the release can be found&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/rounding-up-te-rb-in-przia-29-rankings-update/"><strong>HERE</strong></a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This week, the 2028 recruiting cycle is being discussed. You can check out the new rundown&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2028-rankings/">HERE</a></strong>. An overview of the update can be located&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/adding-context-to-przia-iowa-28-rankings-update/?itm_source=parsely-api">HERE</a></strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now, we'll take a closer look at the group by position. Here's what we have so far:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/o-line-dominates-przia-28-rankings-update/">OL</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/quarterbacks-rising-in-28-przia-rankings-update/?itm_source=parsely-api">QB</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/dynamic-dbs-dot-przia-28-rankings-update/"><strong>DB</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/diamonds-on-the-d-line-in-przia-28-rankings-update/">DL</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/wideouts-show-out-in-przia-28-rankings-release/">WR</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/linebackers-light-up-przia-28-rankings-update/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/linebackers-light-up-przia-28-rankings-update/">LB</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up is Athlete.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1529005"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a8b427764d5b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ehlers recorded 34.5 tackles, 32 of which were solo stops, as a sophomore last season, when Sergeant Bluff-Luton made it back to the state semifinals despite moving up a class. The versatile athlete added a pair of tackles for loss, a forced fumble, two interceptions, including a Pick-6, and three passes defended. He averaged 20.9 yards on seven kick returns. On top of all that, Ehlers completed six of eight passes and averaged 4.0 yards on three carries. He's expected to take over as the Warriors' starting quarterback this fall, and it will be interesting to see how he looks as a prospect there. Ideally, it ends up being his best position as it's the sport's most important position. The good news is that if develop stalls there, Ehlers' athleticism plays at other spots, as we can witness when watching his&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22115196/68fd4e3e6d6867f4f09c0a73">10th-grade highlight video</a>. He looks natural at defensive back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1584562"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a8b427764dd0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Iverson spent his first two seasons of high school at Norwalk contributing on a roster that featured a lot of veteran players. I saw him last year at the Back2Ballin 7v7 tournament and noticed a lot of upside. Now, we'll get to see if one of the state's top programs can tap into that potential. Iverson has transferred to defending state champion Dowling Catholic, which graduated a lot of production at his two most likely positions - receiver and defensive back. Iverson is a good athlete with speed that allows him to be versatile. He's tall with long arms. Iverson is a tough matchup as a receiver with a large catch radius. He also shows fluid movements, which work well when running routes of if covering opposing receivers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1583617"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a8b427764e27"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>Evaluation from earlier this month:</em> Vanderlinden lined up at quarterback last season out of necessity. After piling up more than 1,000 combined yards rushing and receiving as a freshman in 2024, Bondurant-Farrar felt his speed and athleticism was best served behind center a year ago. He threw for 447 yards (14.4 YPC) and three touchdowns. Vanderlinden added 169 yards (4.1 YPC) and a score on the ground. You can watch him throwing the football <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22551423/6925ca5bc61f738cea2f3101">HERE</a> and running with it <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22551423/6925c662c5142346c72ab129">HERE</a>. There's room for development and growth as a signal caller with Vanderlinden's arm strength. He's capable of making all the throws and fitting the ball into tight windows. Vanderlinden slices up opponents on designed runs with explosion and serious speed. There's also potential in the secondary, where he should help the Bluejays again this campaign. Receiver is a potential path, too. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1082098"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a8b427764e79"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After two productive seasons at PCM, Daye Jr. will make a move up in competition by competing at perennial Class 5A contender Southeast Polk. He's worked to prepare himself for transferring the game we see in his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20691857/68e91f250032ec3e0ef03ba6">10th-grade highlight video</a> to working against some of the state's top players. Daye Jr. rolled up 1,097 yards (6.3 YPC) and 12 touchdowns rushing at PCM in 2025, , when the Mustangs won nine games and reached the Class 2A quarterfinals. Daye Jr. is a smooth runner, hitting creases quickly and finding another gear once in the second level of the defense. He's fast in a straight line and beats opponents to the edge. Daye Jr. can weave his way between the tackles or run with power inside. Believe or not, his frame has room to add strength, giving him upside carrying the rock with the attributes to move off of the position if a college saw that change being beneficial to he and the program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1988427"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a8b427764ec9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When you're in Little League, the best players often play shortstop and pitch. In high school football, programs usually line up top athletes at quarterback. The smaller the school, the more likely that is to happen. It could be the case in 2026 at Western Christian with Moret, who caught 35 passes for 477 yards and three touchdowns a year ago. The Wolf Pack will be replacing its starter behind center, and Moret has the skills to get the job done as a signal caller. When watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23066672/690d5552d73efefe8c0fbfea">sophomore highlight video</a>, we witness the quick-twitch traits to make him a nightmare to defend if at the controls. Defenses must prepare for dangerous speed and elusiveness as a runner. Respecting that will open up opportunities in the passing game. Moret is a college prospect. It's just a matter of where he fits on the next level. It will be fun watching it play out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->