PRZIA ’28 Rankings Update Position Breakdown: DB

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;howe30&nbsp;in the coupon code area</em></strong><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/06/inside-latest-iowa-2028-rankings-update/">rankings update</a> for <a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2028-rankings/">Iowa's 2028 Class</a> dropped on Wednesday. The group grew to 175 student-athletes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a well-rounded collection of talent at every position. The defensive backs show a lot of present production, foreshadowing even brighter futures.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at some of the dudes in this group: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1596610"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685d9bf6d5a73"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stephens saw his recruitment kick up a notch in June when he camped at Iowa and Iowa State, earning scholarship offers from both. The versatile athlete followed up a freshman season on the gridiron that saw him deliver 14 solo tackles and an interception with an eye-opening track season. The speed helped him average 22.7 yards on 11 carries and two scores, 24.9 yards on nine receptions with a pair of scores, and 26.0 yards on 11 kick returns. We have Stephens as our top DB in '28, but his skill sets plays well at a lot of spots. In addition to his natural gifts, the youngster plays hard and physical with a mature understanding of the game. Stephens is big time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1696645"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685da0e82dab1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hill got his feet wet at the high school level lining up for the Bettendorf freshman squad last season. We have him listed as a defensive back/athlete and the latter might be the most accurate description at this point. He could end up in the secondary on the next level, but other positions are most certainly in play. His ninth-grade highlights on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/20076878/connor-hill/highlights">Hudl page</a> are limited but do reveal his athleticism and versatility. There are clips of him carrying the ball with power and speed when playing running pack, one of him catching a pass down the field, another of him sacking the quarterback and a frame of him making a tackle in space. It's exciting to think about what Hill might accomplish during the next three prep seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1657990"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685da8fbcf03b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hunt kicked off his high school career operating on the Waverly-Shell Rock freshman team. He followed that up by honing his skills working with the town's 7-on-7 squad. I watched Hunt in action during the Back 2 Ballin tournament this spring at the UNI-Dome. He flashed some nice upside during that event. Hunt also put together a <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22649832/675406279a027257f7494fb0">ninth-grade highlight video</a> and posted it on his Hudl page. The first clip has him outrunning the opposition for a touchdown from about 40 yards out. Most of the footage shows him carving up defenses rushing and receiving, and his future could be on that side of the ball. But it's a set of skills that also plays well in the secondary. He has plenty of time to figure out where he best fits, but the talent will work wherever.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1696625"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685da8fbcf09f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A captain on the Linn-Mar freshman team last fall, Morgan laid the foundation for what could be a memorable and impactful prep career. I watched him operating for Iowa Insanity during the 7-on-7 season, and he confirmed his potential. His Hudl page includes footage from his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/21951276/678ac930db6c173ecc745529">ninth-grade campaign</a>. Morgan stands out for his toughness and physicality as an athletic defender capable of delivering from all around the formation. Speed also is a big part of Morgan's game. He diagnoses plays quickly, which helps him get into proper position. Morgan tracks the ball well in the air and flips his hips easily. Safety is likely his best position on the next level as of now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1588716"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685da9e1426be"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pennington laid the foundation as a freshman in 2024 for what could be an impactful prep career in one of the state's top programs at developing talent. Every level of the Dowling operation is well coached and faces a tough schedule in Central Iowa. There isn't a lot of footage from last season housed on Pennington's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22624766/Grayson-Pennington/highlights">Hudl page</a>. What is on there, however, lends insight into the potential for what he can do during the next three years. Pennington delivers as a running back, mixing speed and physicality. It certainly could end up being his college home. The upside flashed as a defensive back is equally impressive. He can line up deep or in the slot in coverage, or come down and stuff the run. Pennington welcomes contact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1508990"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685daf3a98e11"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Clear Creek Amana has an impressive group of versatile athletes coming up through the program. It includes Seidl, who could develop at several positions for the next level. He got his feet wet as a freshman last year and might be ready to contribute on what could be a formidable Clipper varsity in 2025. Seidl posted several videos with highlights from individual games during his ninth-grade campaign. They show him with good actions and instincts as a defensive back. Seidl sticks in coverage lining up at outside or slot corner. He also looks comfortable at safety, where he diagnoses plays well and sticks his nose in to make tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->