Scouting Iowa Freshmen Off to A Fast Start 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-3-matchups/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/2026/09/iowa-prep-football-must-watch-week-3-matchups/">Iowa Prep Football Must-Watch, Week-3 Matchups</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A new prep season means the introduction of a freshman class beginning its journey in collecting four years of memories. Sometimes, the process to varsity contributions takes time. In other cases, these ninth-graders impact the action right away.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at student-athletes doing that through two weeks of the campaign: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2252373"],"_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-6aa303151bd94"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">ADM has gotten off to a 2-0 start with Hansen scoring in each game. The freshman delivered one score in Week 1 and followed it up with two house calls during last Friday's 34-31 win against Ballard. In that game, he came up with 187 all-purpose yards. He has a team-high seven receptions and is averaging 44.5 yards on four kick returns, taking one all the way back to pay-dirt. Hansen stands out for his long limbs, long strides, speed and athleticism. He looks comfortable working on the outside and taking advantage of a large catch radius and leaping ability. There's an attractive combination of being able to go over defenders or beat them down the field. It's a projectable frame capable of adding strength, which would enhance is present willingness and ability in blocking.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2387191"],"_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-6aa306172df24"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cedar Valley Christian got its season off to a fast start with a 44-6 victory against Dunkerton last Friday in eight-player action. At the controls in the victory was Renaud. The freshman quarterback threw for a pair of touchdowns and ran for another. A three-sport athlete, Renaud stresses defenses with his ability to beat them by air or ground. The lefty flashes plenty of arm strength, particularly for his age, during the <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/28640409/6a9f2b08812ee36ffa32c0b8" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/28640409/6a9f2b08812ee36ffa32c0b8">highlights of the opening game</a>. He gets the ball out quickly after moving through his progressions in a timely manner. Renaud is slick on play-action passes and when tossing the rock on the run. Pocket presence allows for buying time, and he does well in keeping his eyes downfield even when feeling the pressure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2387212"],"_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-6aa30a84e66cd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Remsen St. Mary's has flashed serious upside on offense this season, scoring almost 70 points in each of its two wins. The Hawks are flying high with contributions coming from a deep roster of talent. Among that group is Galles, a freshman with 90 yards and a pair of touchdowns on only 10 carries. He's also logged 10 solo tackles among his 13.0 total stops, has averaged 12.5 yards on six punt returns and took his only kick back 26 yards. It's a broad base of skills with athleticism and speed in watching the available film on Galles. He plays at a good tempo and with toughness. The frame has room to fill out and add strength, and Galles is one to watch moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2387235"],"_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-6aa30e6a4232e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stamp already was impacting the action at Belle Plaine through the first three weeks of the 2026 season. The freshman paced the Plainsmen with 16.5 tackles with eight of those stops being of the solo variety. He had a half tackle for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Stamp also returned kicks and had the third most rushes on the team. In watching him on game film, the ninth-grader shows an advanced feel for the game, flowing well with the action and playing within the scheme when delivering plays. Stamp holds up well from a physical standpoint and has room to grow into more strength. He's athletic with lateral quickness that works on both sides 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":["2387297"],"_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-6aa31148d00a9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Whitaker didn't ask for an invitation to the game, he announced his arrival in fine fashion early in the 2026 season. The Glidden-Ralston freshman led the team with 16.0 tackles through two weeks, ranking second among all the state's ninth-graders in stops. His 13 solo stops highlighted his impact. He also ranked second on the squad with six receptions, had a pair of two-point conversions, threw a 45-yard touchdown on his lone pass and returned kicks. Whitaker's projectable frame provides him with plenty of room to grow into a sizable ceiling. His athleticism and positional versatility enhance his stock as a football prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->