Evaluating Prospects Raising Their Stock in 2026

<!-- 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/iowa-prep-football-must-watch-week-4-matchups/">Iowa Prep Football Must-Watch, Week-4 Matchups</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/09/early-season-stat-sheet-stuffers-in-iowa-prep-ranks/" data-type="link" data-id="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>We'll have four games in the books after Friday night's action across the state. Teams and student-athletes are emerging as the halfway mark of the season descends upon us.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at players that have raised their recruiting stock through the first third of the 2026 campaign:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2384952"],"_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-6aac681d43ebd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">You'd be hard pressed to find another prospect that has raised his recruiting stock more than Day during the first third of the 2026 season. The first-year starter at Dowling Catholic has reported scholarship offers from Iowa, Iowa State, Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas State already this month. He had no offers coming into September. Finn has helped the Maroons, winners of 15 games in a row, put up 1,262 yards and 11 touchdowns as the right tackle on the state's most talented offensive line. Day possesses the traits Power 4 programs seek in O-Line prospects. He's already big and strong with a projectable frame capable of filling out more while holding the athleticism and agility that give him a high ceiling. The upside is big and his recruitment is likely to stay active as he adds more game film to his resume.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1286887"],"_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-6aac6c86882a7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mitchell's recruitment has been interesting. A surge happened when he started as a freshman at one of the state's top programs. He built on that campaign as a sophomore last season, but college programs were slow to pick up more interest. Still, involvement remained steady, and it was a matter of time before the process progressed with more schools on the next level seeing what's been there all along - an FBS level offensive lineman with a lot of potential. Florida Atlantic offered a scholarship this summer. He's been touring colleges all year, including game-day stops this season at South Dakota State, Nebraska and Indiana. It feels like Mitchell's offer list could take off at any time now. That would be justified. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2222026"],"_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-6aac6e6ab8c81"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Megonnell is a prospect just packed with potential. College programs are beginning to take notice of the unusual athleticism present in a projectable 6-foot-7, 260-pound frame. The upside here is tremendous. Iowa State recognized it when it offered a scholarship after he camped with the Cyclones in early June. Kansas State followed suit at the end of July, and Connecticut jumped in late last month. Iowa played host to him on a game-day visit this past Saturday when the Hawkeyes took on Iowa State in the annual Cy-Hawk contest. Megonnell is long limbed with arms that aid him in pass protection and footwork that also helps him in that endeavor. It will be interesting to see where his recruitment heads from here as he adds more film for coaches to view.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1924995"],"_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-6aac6fe087ae1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Iowa's 2028 Class is deep in talent on the offensive line. It leads to talented guys being overshadowed at times. Maehl's play to date this fall is lifting him into the light when it comes to college programs showing interest. The Fort Dodge junior has been dominating the opposition from his left tackle spot. He's a bruiser when paving the way for the running attack. Agility and slick feet aid him in getting the job done in pass protection. Iowa State and Indiana have brought Maehl to campus for game-day visits already this fall. He'll be at Nebraska this week. I would expect more attention to come his way with the raising of his level of performance this fall and the potential he shows for the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1630441"],"_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-6aac763e44f9b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After being hit with graduation losses at the position, Cedar Falls needed someone to step up at receiver this season. Enter Gary, who has lit up the stat sheet through three weeks of the season. To that point, he'd hauled in a team-high 14 passes for 313 yards (22.4 YPC) and three touchdowns. The yards per catch speak to his big-play ability. I saw that when scouting him at the Back2Ballin 7v7 tournament this past spring in Cedar Falls. He's an excellent athlete that has also completed both of his passes for 116 yards and two scores. Gary has delivered a pair of solo tackles, averaged 26.0 yards on two kick returns and kicked in a two-point conversion. Potential is there to keep developing at receiver with a path to success on defense also being present. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->