Class 0f 2026 Prospects Ready for Takeoff

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Planes need steps in getting airborne. They approach the runway, pick up speed once they're on it and then rise into the clouds. Prep football prospects also exrerience a process of progression during their careers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the biggest jumps, when some guys take off, happens from their sophomore to junior seasons. They develop physically and mentally during that stage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at seven current sophomore already showing promise that could be poised for a big jump in 2024: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1242935' first='Brock' last='Badding'] ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"158","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Kuemper Catholic ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Badding put together a breakout sophomore campaign with 30 touchdown passes against just four interceptions. He completed 66.8 percent of his passes for 2,063 yards, while adding five scores on the ground. A viewing of his u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17920550/654a8ffaa02379096809b759u0022u003e10th-grade highlightsu003c/au003e shows us a signal caller with a strong, accurate arm. Badding can chuck the ball deep with what appears like little effort, foreshadowing that there could be even more in the arm moving forward. Clips also included quick slants where he zips the rock into his receivers. He displays a good feel in the pocket and shows an ability to get through his progressions in a timely manner. Badding also excels on the basketball court, illustrating that he brings athleticism to the gridiron. I'll have my eye on this kid in the fall to see what gains he's made to an already impressive package.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1238521' first='Cal' last='Jepsen']","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_weight":"165","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Sioux City East ","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Another intriguing quarterback in the '26 Class, Jepsen makes up for his lack of height at the position with a whole lot of moxie in the pocket. He moves fluidly away from pressure, keeping his eyes downfield. As you can see during his u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18413977/6564eb2102b1a70b6813157du0022u003esophomore highlightsu003c/au003e, Jepsen boasts plenty of arm strength and places the ball well for his receivers to make plays. He's comfortable throwing the pigskin while on the move when rolling out to either side. Jepsen lists free safety along with quarterback as positions on his Hudl page. He appears to own the athleticism that could work on defense. Jepsen threw for 2,330 yards and 19 touchdowns with eight picks as a sophomore. He also stands out on the baseball diamond.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1238514' first='Kasen' last='Thomas']","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_weight":"190","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Bishop Heelan ","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Thomas grabbed my attention while watching the state playoffs at the UNI-Dome. Despite being only a sophomore, he stood out as one of the best performers on the field. Thomas plays fast and physical but also under control. The first clip of his u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17681877/658f3c477bd46f07a4d3c406u0022u003esophomore highlightsu003c/au003e provides evidence of his athleticism and awareness as he intercepts a pass while lined up on the edge. From there, you see him tacking in space and in traffic using quickness and strength. He delivered 17.0 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in '23 while also contributing on offense as a running back. The ceiling is sky high here. More college coaches should be taking notice.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1238526' first='Tayshawn' last='Gillen']","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_weight":"190","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Gilbert ","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Gillen performs with a whole lot of energy, showing a motor that keeps running throughout the action. His u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/16641956/Tayshawn-gillen/highlightsu0022u003eHudl pageu003c/au003e includes individual game highlights. On them, you see an explosive athlete whether he's coming off the edge or carrying the football as a running back. He owns an impressive first step and burst as a pass rusher, putting pressure on the offensive tackle to keep from holding. I wish there were more highlights tape available from last season, but I like what I do see and look forward to watching him as a junior. He finished with 12.5 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks as a 10th-grader.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1238608' first='Kyle' last='Friend'] ","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_weight":"199","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Des Moines Christian ","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"The main takeaway from watching Friend's u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14950242/653df26a0c5e68041085da17u0022u003esophomore highlightsu003c/au003e is that he enjoys the game's physicality. So much so, that he appears to seek it out. That said, he's also quick and a smart football player. There's a lot to like with this kid even if he falls short of the cookie cutter size of a linebacker at the next level. I'm impressed with his advanced football IQ. He plays within the structure of the defense by carrying out his assignments. Friend understands containment and staying home until it's time to pursue. He's a fundamentally sound tackler that gets low and drives through the ball carrier. Friend produced 34 solo tackles with eight stops for loss and 4.5 sacks this past fall.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1619687' first='Caden' last='Klein']","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_5_player_details_weight":"165","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"Newton ","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_5_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Klein earned all-district honors as a sophomore when he recorded 55 solo tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks. He's not the thickest guy in the field, but he compensates for it with speed and quick recognition of what the offenses is doing pre-snap. You can see the burst and balance when watching his u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17843709/65656082da514b0c8cd47b02u0022u003ehighlights from '23u003c/au003e. He holds up well against the run and shows strong coverage skills. He could end up at safety in college. I'm interested to see how develops and adds strength as he already plays physical football.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1241496' first='Kane' last='Willey']","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_6_player_details_weight":"210","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"Wilton ","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_6_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"It's disappointing to not see more film on u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/18330695/kane-willey/highlightsu0022u003eWilley's Hudl pageu003c/au003e because what is available impresses me. Most of the clips are from a game against Regina, a historically strong program, which I respect. Willey plays with excellent tempo and is advanced physically for a sophomore. Wilton uses him as a rush end, which suits him well. He's quick off the snap, bringing power and speed to the position. I'd be interested to see what he looks like dropping into coverage and handling other assignments. He definitely knows how to chase the quarterback. He produced 15.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks as a 10th-grader.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65b955fccbb15"} /-->