Iowa’s 2021 5A District 1 Preview: Player Spotlight Capsules

Districts are out and there is going to be some serious talent playing in each throughout the state of Iowa this fall. Learn about some of the top returning prospects in the player capsules below as Prep Redzone highlights each leading up to the season. From the trenches to the backfields, Iowa boasts some of the best talent around. Ankeny Brady McCullough, WR, C/O 2022 6’4.5, 210, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EQaNm">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/bradymc18">Twitter</a> McCullough has an enormous frame and catch radius with plenty of athletic ability to boot. His polished and technical route running makes him a legitimate, reliable threat from anywhere on the field. McCullough’s spatial awareness and body control make him a matchup nightmare for opposing Defensive Backs. [player_tooltip player_id="23967" first="Colin" last="Kadolph"], RB, C/O 2022, 6’0, 190, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EjVBz">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/KadolphColin">Twitter</a> Kadolph is a workhorse of an every down back who makes his offense better regardless of situation or scheme. He has a physical running style and impressive contact balance to pick up tough yards. Kadolph is also very shifty and has plenty of moves in the open field, so he needs to be accounted for at all times. [player_tooltip player_id="23955" first="Ryan" last="Crandall"], S, C/O 2022, 6’2.5, 200, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EgpZW">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/ryancrandall4">Twitter</a> Crandall is rangy, twitchy, and physical; he is the kind of Strong Safety who can line up anywhere in your defense and provide a lot of versatility. He is a ballhawk over the top in coverage and makes impressive plays when the ball is in the air. Crandall’s run support, especially his open-field tackling, is dominant. [player_tooltip player_id="100843" first="Tamden" last="Webb-Tate"], LB, C/O, 2022, 6’2, 220, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2ERgJL">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/TamdenWebbTate">Twitter</a> Webb-Tate is a monster of an edge defender; his block destruction playside is top-notch and he has the speed to chase plays down backside. He is also a well-developed pass rusher who has impressive feet and attacks relentlessly. Webb-Tate causes really big collisions and is putting opponents on the turf down after down. [player_tooltip player_id="23989" first="Will" last="Cornwell"], CB, C/O 2022, 5’10, 180, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EfidS">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/willcornwelll">Twitter</a> Cornwell is excellent playing in reverse, especially in zones, and takes away routes that attack his part of the field. He knows where his help is going to be and his technique and body position is always on point. Cornwell contests everything, including the run, and can come down from the flat to make a big tackle. Des Moines Lincoln Aidan Lovan, WR, C/O 2022, 5’8, 145, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12965767/Aidan-Lovan/highlights">hudl</a> Lovan has electric speed that he can carry through a straight line or a change of direction. There are very few defenders that can match his athleticism and stick with him in coverage or tackle him in the open field. Lovan lines up across formations and is just as tough to defend on off-tackle plays like Jet and Toss. Des Moines North Israel Kelai, DB, C/O 2022, 5’11, 155, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EPd03">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/IsraelKelai">Twitter</a> Kelai has an explosive first step and accelerates to full speed in a hurry. He does an excellent job patrolling a deep portion of the field, not allowing opponents to get behind him, and breaking underneath to make plays on the ball and big hits. Kelai kicks it into an extra gear once he diagnoses the play and closes in fast. Des Moines Roosevelt [player_tooltip player_id="24030" first="Jamison" last="Patton"], QB, C/O 2023, 6’2, 190, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Ecggm">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/jamisonpattonn">Twitter</a> Patton is a true dual-threat Quarterback who uses elite athleticism and cerebral decision making to be very dangerous. He has a big arm that can get the ball to each level of the field accurately; he can throw well on the run and in the pocket. Patton can pick up big gains out of the mesh, on designed runs, and when scrambling. Marshalltown [player_tooltip player_id="99198" first="Gannon" last="Williams"], TE, C/O 2022, 6’4, 210, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EXG1z">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/williams_gannon">Twitter</a> Williams is a big target in the middle of the field and is unafraid to make difficult, contested catches in traffic. He knows how to use his size to take advantage of smaller defenders and keep them away from the ball. Williams plays the position physically; he fights for extra yards and punishes opponents when blocking. [player_tooltip player_id="100105" first="Austin" last="Close"], DE, C/O 2022, 6’0, 215, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EuC9Z">hudl, </a><a href="https://twitter.com/AustinClose9">Twitter</a> Close executes at the line of scrimmage with consistent, well-developed fundamentals, reactions, and violence. His functional strength and leverage get him off of blocks quickly and he causes a lot of chaos in the backfield. Close is a Quarterback hunter on passing downs and gets home with a great get off and quick hands. Valley [player_tooltip player_id="100952" first="Mason" last="Morrow"], QB, C/O 2022, 6’1, 180, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EaKfz">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/masonmorroww">Twitter</a> Morrow is a highly efficient passer and shows a lot of poise, intelligence, and athleticism when he drops back. He has the arm strength to stretch the field on vertical routes and the throwing mechanics to deliver accurate balls underneath. It is impressive to see him avoid pressure while he looks down field and extends plays. Danny Rankins, RB, C/O 2022, 5’10, 182, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Ef6e3">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/danny_rankins">Twitter</a> Rankins is so skilled at navigating traffic and maneuvering by defenders with highly athletic moves in between the tackles. He carries the ball with tremendous patience and field vision; he can make a well-timed burst into space and is gone. Rankins has the ability to do a lot with a little and refuses to go down on initial contact. [player_tooltip player_id="23946" first="Eli" last="Raridon"], TE, C/O 2022, 6’6, 230, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EHE7c">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/EliRaridon">Twitter</a> Raridon is a huge Tight End who has very long arms and big, strong hands; he can block like a Tackle and move like a Wide Receiver. Raridon is bold running over the middle making catches in traffic, but also runs advanced routes and gets wide open. His physical maturity is off the charts and he can get to balls nobody else can. [player_tooltip player_id="99892" first="Hank" last="Lucas"], OL, C/O 2022, 6’2, 288, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EZncQ">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/HankLucas7">Twitter</a> Lucas pounds his insteps with terrific leverage out of his stance and pummels his opponents. He is technical in the way does things like placing hands to steer and reach opponents or hitting the hip when down blocking. Lucas is highly athletic in space when pulling or climbing and neutralizes pass rushers with a great short set. [player_tooltip player_id="100848" first="Drew" last="Henderson"], LB, C/O 2022, 5’10, 211, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EZhaj">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/DrewHendo6">Twitter</a> Henderson is a skilled downhill Inside Linebacker and can blitz or fill with a big presence. He showcases a strong ability to identify keys and diagnose at the snap to track and get to the ball. Henderson avoids and defeats blocks really well, has a motor and is always in pursuit, and is an asset applying pressure on passing downs.