Gianni Gary Gianni Gary 5'9" | 158 lbs | WR/DB Waterloo East | 2028 State IA immediately impressed as one of the Trojans’ leading receivers as a freshman, and in the midst of a winless campaign last season, Gary continued to take strides in his progression as a stellar WR prospect. Gary finished with 518 receiving yards on 31 receptions (16.7 YPC) and 3 TDs in 2025. Gary also recorded 41.5 tackles, 2 FFs, and 2 FRs on defense and averaged 25.4 yards per return on 19 kick returns last season. Gary is a dynamic athlete who’s speed is nearly unmatched, being able to get behind the secondary and create big plays down the field while also being reliable catching in space and working after the catch. Proving himself as an all-purpose threat for the Trojans, Gary will undeniably be their most coveted prospect to watch out for over the next few seasons.

Gary is a guy who’s been on my radar for awhile. It’s why he’s listed in the Top 100 in our Prep Redzone Iowa Class of 2028 rankings. We have him as the No. 14 receiver. That position very well could be his path to the next level. He caught 31 balls for 518 yards and three touchdowns as a Waterloo East sophomore last fall. Defensive back also is a possible college position. Gary collected 41.5 tackles, 25 of which were solo stops. I liked what I saw from him on defense when watching him compete at the Back 2 Ballin High 2026 7v7 Tournament during the middle of April at the UNI-Dome. In a game where defenders mostly are left on an island, Gary held up really well. He flashed strength and technique in coming up for press coverage. Gary changed directions fluidly and closed windows quickly. Speed and athleticism also play well at receiver, but his ceiling might be higher in the secondary. The good news is that there’s time to find out and for Gary to reach his sizable ceiling.

In the midst of a winless campaign in 2025, Gianni Gary Gianni Gary 5'9" | 158 lbs | WR/DB Waterloo East | 2028 State IA stood out among the dearth of success as one of the few bright spots for the Trojans. Gary finished with 518 receiving yards on 31 catches (16.7 YPC) and 3 TDs. One of the most talented receivers after the catch, Gary’s breakaway speed and quick change of direction is unmatched, and even with a small crease of space to work with, Gary is able to maneuver around the secondary and break through for a big play. Gary also flashed as a prominent vertical threat who can stretch the field, using his speed to burn defenders with just a bit of separation, and he contributes well both in the run game and as a kick returner. Even working with 3 different QBs throwing the ball last season, Gary was still able to put up strong results, and he will be a clear leader for this Trojans’ offense going forward.

I wrote about Gary last year around this time. He was coming off a solid freshman season as a three-phase contributor. One of the best parts of this job is seeing guys develop, and that’s exactly what Gary did between his first and second years of high school. This past fall, he hauled in 31 passes for 518 yards and three touchdowns, leading his team in all three categories. Gary added 97 yards on 11 carries, and averaged 25.4 yards on 19 kick returns. The 10th-grader was the Trojans’ second-leading tackler with 41.5 stops (25 solo, 1.5 TFL). He also contributed two forced fumbles and a pair of fumble recoveries. Gary’s 2025 highlight video confirms his growth in the game that the statistics would indicate. At his core, Gary is a playmaker. He’s dangerous with the ball in his hands after a catch or on returns because of his speed and elusiveness. With improved route running and consistency in catching passes, Gary is trending up as a wideout. He also has a chance as a defensive back, displaying strong coverage skills, tackling technique and physicality.

Football takes a backseat to Gary’s love of basketball, it would appear, but the talented ninth-grader shouldn’t close the door on the gridiron as it relates to his future. He hauled in 24 passes for 236 yards and two touchdowns, intercepted a ball on defense and returned a kick for a score. Gary is a dynamic athlete with speed and quick-twitch traits that could lead to a high level of success at multiple positions. Hopefully Gary mixes in football camps with his AAU basketball this spring and summer.