Linebackers Light Up 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/" data-type="link" data-id="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/" data-type="link" data-id="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/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/wideouts-show-out-in-przia-28-rankings-release/">WR</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up is linebacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1671624"],"_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-6a887cd6477a6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Blanshan emerged as a prospect last season. The Urbandale linebacker registered an obscene amount of tackles (97.0). What's more, 81 of those stops were of the solo variety. The sophomore also recorded 5.0 tackles for loss, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble. Blanshan benefits from height and long arms of a projectable frame capable of adding mass without the loss of speed and athleticism that give him a high ceiling. He's fast to the football, flowing to the it and wrapping up tackles with strong technique. Blanshan also caught three passes for 39 yards and is an intriguing tight end prospect, too. He's ranked as the No. 1 linebacker in Iowa's 2028 Class according to Prep Redzone. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19713974/6946143ed1116666bb50a467" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19713974/6946143ed1116666bb50a467">sophomore film</a> impresses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1583593"],"_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-6a887cd64781e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sheldon has been a starting linebacker at Iowa City High since he was a freshman. He heads into Year 3 with 143.5 tackles, 92 solo stops, 25.5 tackles for loss, 4.0 and a pair of forced fumbles in his career. Last season, he flashed upside on offense with five catches for 55 yards and a touchdown, adding 261 yards (5.0) on the ground. Production on the other side of the ball isn't a surprise when considering Sheldon's speed and athleticism are key contributors to success on defense. He runs well laterally and in a straight line. Fluid actions in coverage help Sheldon hold up well there and provide a path to playing a hybrid in some college systems. It's a big year for him to turn the heads of college scouts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1902362"],"_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-6a887cd64788d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last season, Rummel posted 41.5 tackles, 20 of which were of the solo variety, establishing himself as a productive prep and college prospect. He delivered seven tackles for loss and four sacks as well. Rummel also possesses potential as a H-Back/TE/FB, as we can witness during the <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20432992/69f92d2230448736f76d9405">10th-grade highlights of his blocking</a>. His biggest upside is at linebacker, however. We can witness that when watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20432992/6914aeced81f7f44f4e1fb04">seasonal highlight tape</a>. Rummel moves around formations and delivers from wherever he lines up. He diagnoses plays quickly and is fast to the ball carrier. Rummel plays assignment football within the framework of the defense and breaks down consistently as a tackler. A projectable frame that can fill out and add strength feeds into a high ceiling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1601659"],"_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-6a887cd6478e5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I first wrote about Kramer way back in January of last year following a productive freshman season at Beckman Catholic. He followed up that performance with a sophomore campaign that saw him impact the action on both sides of the ball. As a running back, he rushed for 814 yards (9.6 YPC) and 15 touchdowns, and caught 19 balls for 167 yards and two scores. Defensively, Kramer posted 11.0 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, an interception he returned for a touchdown and a fumble recovery. Whew, that's a lot. Prep Redzone has him as the No. 4-ranked linebacker in Iowa on its latest update. The speed and athleticism play well there. His agility and versatility also give him a path to a future at other positions on the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1696154"],"_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-6a887cd647939"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In 2025, Lensch took a noticeable step forward as a sophomore in a program that's among the best in the state at developing talent for the next level. There was marked improvement from his freshman highlight video to what we witness during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23207629/6908cbbe0c02cc788e72724f">sophomore clips</a>. Lensch stands out for his athleticism and length at the linebacker spot. He runs well and smoothly changes directions, which aid him in coverage. Lensch's game already features physicality, and his projectable frame gives him a chance to add strength without the loss of agility that give him a high ceiling. It feels like this Spartan is readying for a breakout. South Dakota State and South Dakota have invited him to games this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->