Dawson Kahl Dawson Kahl 6'2" | 195 lbs | RB/LB Prairie | 2027 State IA became one of the premiere backs in 5A after transferring to Prairie from City High to finish as the Hawks’ most effective rusher to drive their offense. Kahl ran for 1049 yards (7.5 YPC) and 8 rushing TDs. Kahl may be better regarded for his cutback ability and dangerous straight-line speed (4.55 40 yard time), but Kahl is just as capable as a persistent runner who is able to effortlessly shake off defenders and prove difficult to tackle from the side, proving too fast for LBs and too big for DBs to tackle. Kahl holds a D1 offer from Northern Iowa and is bound to receive more as he enters his senior season looking to drive the Hawks’ toward a deep run in the 5A playoffs.

Primarily serving as a running back so far through his high school career, Dawson Kahl Dawson Kahl 6'2" | 195 lbs | RB/LB Prairie | 2027 State IA has taken after his father and former Hawkeye tail back, Kent Kahl.

For now, though, it looks like he projects to playing defense at the next level. A hard runner that doesn’t go down easily and that has straight-line speed, I’ve been informed by a source at Iowa that the Hawkeyes see him as a linebacker. So, if Kahl wants to play at the higher levels of college ball, that’s likely where he ends up.

He could potentially play FCS ball as a running back, though, especially if he puts up a big season behind the monstrous Cedar Rapids Prairie offensive line. Last fall, he took 139 carries for 1,49 yards and eight scores. With his speed and athleticism to play running back well, he could potentially play nickel at the next level, too. He’ll want to get some defensive reps this fall, for sure.

Kahl was a problem for defenses when I saw him playing for Iowa City High as a sophomore in 2024. That was the case again during an in-person scout when his new team, Prairie, faced Iowa City West on Oct. 17, 2025. He rushed for more than 150 yards and ripped off a long touchdown run late that keyed an upset victory. Kahl is a bigger back that relies on power over finesse. He’s tough to arm-tackle, and it often takes multiple defenders to bring him to the ground. It’s best to do that early because he’s a load when he gets a head of steam and there’s deceptive speed in the open field. Colleges are recruiting him as a running back but also see a skill set that would work at linebacker.

A running back whose future in college football will be contingent on what position he decides to pursue, Dawson Kahl Dawson Kahl 6'2" | 195 lbs | RB/LB Prairie | 2027 State IA is one of the top RBs in the state. With quick feet laterally, the ability to burst through holes in the offensive line with no hesitation and run through tackles, Kahl is a complete back that serves as the bell cow of the Prairie offense. Putting together 27 carries for 155 yards and a touchdown on Friday night, Kahl was the engine that made the Prairie offense go against Bettendorf.

One of my personal favorite prospects in the class of 2027 that flies under the radar thanks to the shear star power of top-ranked, heavily-recruited prospects like Luke Brewer Luke Brewer 6'5" | 220 lbs | TE Norwalk | 2026 State IA , Will Slagle Will Slagle 6'4" | 305 lbs | OL Grinnell | 2027 State IA and Jaxx DeJean Jaxx DeJean 6'4" | 220 lbs | ATH OABCIG | 2027 State IA , Dawson Kahl Dawson Kahl 6'2" | 195 lbs | RB/LB Prairie | 2027 State IA is a rugged runner that can dish out punishment to would-be tacklers. After transferring to Cedar Rapids Prairie this fall, the son of former Iowa running back Kent Kahl will look to take his game to the next level.

Watching the Prairie Hawks practice this summer, Kahl showed that he’s grown in his ability to navigate space in the open field, and he’s gotten faster. Joining an offense that will have a new QB under center and that’s looking to return to the playoffs after missing for the first time in over a decade, Kahl could be the bell-cow type of back that provides an added boost to the offense. With Will Clausen Will Clausen 6'5" | 280 lbs | OL/DL Prairie | 2027 State IA and Bubba Donald Bubba Donald 6'6" | 320 lbs | OL/DL Prairie | 2027 State IA leading the way, Kahl will look to improve off his 941 yards and 17 touchdowns from last season.

Making the decision to transfer from Iowa City High just two weeks ago, Dawson Kahl Dawson Kahl 6'2" | 195 lbs | RB/LB Prairie | 2027 State IA will be an immediate impact addition for the Prairie Hawks. A legacy Hawkeye as the son of 90’s running back Kent Kahl, Dawson will step on the field and provide an instant improvement in the Prairie backfield.

As the main work horse in the running game for the Little Hawks last season, Kahl took 145 carries for 941 yards and 17 touchdowns. Though he’s not a super fluid runner, Kahl is a tough tackle, and when he sees a hole, he hits it hard and fast.

Coach Knock shared that Kahl’s future at the college level is most likely on the defensive side of the ball at linebacker or defensive back, so he may spend more time on defense this fall for Prairie, as well.