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

<!-- 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-1/">Kickoff '26: X-Factors for Each Team in Class 3A District 1</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-2/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/kickoff-26-x-factors-for-each-team-in-class-3a-district-2/">Kickoff '26: X-Factors for Each Team in Class 3A District 2</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In preparation for the upcoming campaign, I'll be rolling out content to get us ready. We'll be identifying X-factors for as many teams across the state as possible. You can find previous editions linked atop this rundown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2087307"],"_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-6a7a132c81767"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In what was an otherwise difficult 2025 season at Maquoketa, O'Connell's three-phase performance as a sophomore provided hope for brighter days this fall. He hauled in 22 throws for 252 yards. All 23 of his tackles were of the solo stops. He picked off a pass and recovered a fumble. O'Connell averaged 20.5 yards on 10 kick returns. He shows off is wide array of skills during a <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22598512/695b21044a6128ad4fca5c7f" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22598512/695b21044a6128ad4fca5c7f">sophomore highlight video</a> that also projects upside. O'Connell's burst and speed pop off the tape when he has the ball in his hands. He evades defenders in space and regularly breaks tackles. O'Connell rips off precise routes and can adjust to throws with a large catch radius. A good athlete, his skills also play well on defense, where he can stick in coverage or come down in run support. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1646106"],"_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-6a7a181db4b2f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Power is the first thing that comes to mind when evaluating Haney. The 6-foot, 200-pound athlete reports bench pressing 335 pounds, squatting 500 and deadlifting 600. That strength shows up on the field during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20425118/68fe4c53e012c26d4432208c">junior highlight video</a>. He rushed for 475 yards and three touchdowns in the campaign. Haney added a two-point conversion. Three of his 6.0 tackles were solo stops, and he had a tackle for loss. His lone kick return went for nine yards. Haney is an interesting running back prospect but also boasts a broad set of skills that could play at other positions on the next level. Haney eats up real estate with long strides and can hit the jets. He quickly gets downhill, stressing defenses with elusiveness and power. Haney is patient and allows blocks to set up. His talents also work well on the other side of the ball and special teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2153293"],"_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-6a7a20fde449e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It was another successful season in Mount Vernon with the Mustangs reaching the postseason once again. Dix was at the center of it on defense, where he registered 29.0 tackles, 22 of which were solo stops. The junior proved disruptive, collecting 12.0 tackles for loss and eight sacks. He also recovered a fumble. Dix displayed versatility as a defender during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18490443/69bd4ec10a068bf653d7e610" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18490443/69bd4ec10a068bf653d7e610">11th-grade highlight video</a>. He was a first-team all-district linebacker. The film shows him operating as a stand-up edge rusher. Dix does well setting the edge of the defense, playing assignment football and keep the ball in front of him. There's strength and power with quickness to defeat blockers. Dix runs well in a straight line and laterally. He'll be a big problem for opposing offenses this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1616422"],"_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-6a7a2369e43b6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Elbert served as the backup quarterback on Wahlert's state title team of 2024 before stepping in as the starter last fall. The junior led the team back to the UNI-Dome with a season that saw him complete 63.3 percent of his passes for 1,573 yards and 12 touchdowns, adding 702 yards (5.9 YPC) and 13 scores on the ground. Elbert also averaged 41.7 yards on 26 punts. Also a college prospect in baseball, Elbert looked like an interesting prospect during an in-person scout last year. There's pocket presence, a strong arm and mobility adding to the difficultly in defending him. Elbert has a chance to build on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19390295/691cda3ec9093078726e7dd2" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19390295/691cda3ec9093078726e7dd2">outstanding 11th-grade season</a>, which is bad news for Golden Eagle opponents in 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1361094"],"_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-6a7a298a577b8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fox has been on the Prep Redzone Iowa radar for quite some time. Last season, he earned second-team all-district honors as an Assumption junior. Fox contributed on defense but was most impactful along the offensive line. The Knight offense that rushed for 2,461 yards (6.5 YPC) and 30 touchdowns even though opponents were focused on stopping it on the ground. Fox flashes upside during his&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19959966/69123622f710c1678afe7d41">11th-grade highlight video</a>. Athleticism and agility lead the way to success. He can pull and easily reach blocks in space. He plays angles and seals the defender with high efficiency. Fox will be a year stronger and wiser, a bad development for guys lining up across from him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2086368"],"_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-6a7a2b6aee84a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Central DeWitt rebounded from a 1-8 campaign in 2025 to the postseason last fall. Paulsen was a big reason for the turnaround. The junior posted 39.5 tackles, 29 of which were of the solo varsiety. He piled up 17.0 tackles for loss with 5.0 sacks. The Illinois commitment also forced a fumble. Paulsen is an outstanding athlete with a projectable frame. His agility and power also would make him a worthwhile prospect on offense at the next level. Paulsen shines during&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19688384/6935e5aecd06d6b43c388792">11th-grade highlight video</a>. The physicality and speed as a lineman creates matchup nightmares for the opposition. There's strength and active hands. He slips blocks and smoothly separates from them. Paulsen is poised for an impactful final run through the prep ranks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->