Dominant Defenders Among Iowa Preps in ’26

<!-- 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><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/09/early-season-stat-sheet-stuffers-in-iowa-prep-ranks/">Early-Season, Stat-Sheet Stuffers in Iowa Prep Ranks</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/09/evaluating-prospects-raising-their-stock-in-2026/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/2026/09/evaluating-prospects-raising-their-stock-in-2026/">Evaluating Prospects Raising Their Stock in 2026</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Four games are in the books after Friday night's action across the state. Teams and student-athletes hit the midpoint of the season next week with an increasing sense of urgency in the quest to reach the postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at players that have stood out for their defensive prowess during 2026 campaign:</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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aad5e4d8c634"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Blanshan has built on a <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19713974/6946143ed1116666bb50a467" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19713974/6946143ed1116666bb50a467">breakout sophomore season</a> of 2025 with an even more impactful start to a new campaign. Prep Redzone Iowa's top-ranked linebacker in the junior class racked up 32.0 tackles, 26 of which were of the solo variety, through the first three games. He registered 5.0 tackles for loss. An athletic performer with strength and speed, Blanshan also caught five passes for 94 yards. The film reveals a prospect that worked hard in the offseason in preparation for a step forward. It shows up in faster play and more power. Blanshan is a well-rounded linebacker that runs with receives in coverage and bows up against the rush. He's visited Iowa State and Wisconsin so far this season. Nebraska and Northwestern have invited him to town for game-day stops.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1844805"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aad6148e0c86"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Clear Lake raced to a 3-0 start in 2026 thanks in large part to a defense that yielded a total of 22 points in those contests. One of the standouts on that unit was Baack, a senior that entered the season with a chance to raise his recruiting stock. He's done just that, leading the Lions in total tackles (29.0) and solo stops (20), while rankings second in tackles for loss (5.5). The <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16888280/6aa04d2fee68e000b3261004" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16888280/6aa04d2fee68e000b3261004">early-season highlight video</a> contains a middle linebacker that plays fast and gets downhill in a hurry. He does well in disecting the opponent through pre-snap reads and flowing to the ball within the framework of the defense once the play is underway. Baack explodes through the gap before delivering form tackles that drop opponents in their tracks. Simpson, Dordt and Morningside have reportedly offered opportunities. More schools would do well to look his way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1849099"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aad63483e407"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lange has long been a student-athlete whose football skills intrigued me. A big, strong athlete with a projectable frame, Lange has plenty of room to grow into more on the gridiron. And that's saying something for a prospect that's been a pain in the backside for Mount Pleasant opponents. That's certainly been the case this season, when he's collected 10.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks through three games. Twelve of his 17.0 tackles were of the solo variety in the Panthers' 3-0 start, when they've only yielded 15 total points. He'd also caught 10 balls for 135 yards and a touchdown. It's hard to pin down a college position for Lange, who legitimately could develop into a disruptive defender or well-rounded tight end on the next level. Either way, he's worthy of more attention along the recruiting trail. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2401710"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aad67897d451"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bartlett had established himself as a high-level baseball player coming into his sophomore year at St. Edmond. Now, the talented athlete is opening eyes on the football field with his play this season. Sixteen of his 17.0 tackles are solo stops, and he has 10.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks. Bartlett had five receptions for 105 yards and three touchdowns. On a scoring catch against Newell-Fonda, the 10th-grader takes a short pass, makes a few defenders miss in space and then outraces another group in sprinting to the house. As mentioned, Bartlett is a good athlete with a projectable frame and is packed with potential in multiple sports. He has plenty of time to develop and figure out his future. It's progress colleges will want to monitor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1906966"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aad6a5834df4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Koppes entered his senior season of 2026 determined to show colleges he was worthy of more attention. Mission accomplished. The Cedar Rapids Prairie defender had eighteen solo stops among his 23.0 total tackles. He had 7.5 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. Koppes has grown physically since last season and also developed his technique. It's what you'd want to see as a scout on the next level. At his size, he could develop into a linebacker, safety or hybrid in college. The senior runs well sideline to sideline and in a straight line. He sticks with receivers in coverage and comes down quickly against the run. Koppes' frame has room to fill out and add strength. He visited Augustana and Morningside in August, and Graceland invited him to campus this week. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19731173/Wes-Koppes/highlights" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19731173/Wes-Koppes/highlights">His film</a> shows he's deserving of more attention. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->