Scouting Reports: Cedar Rapids Jefferson 2025

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CEDAR RAPIDS</strong>&nbsp;— Urbandale (2-2) traveled to eastern Iowa to spoil Cedar Rapids Jefferson's (1-3) homecoming last Friday in a battle of J-Hawks, taking down the home team, 37-15 in Kingston Stadium</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We'll breakdown key members of the Jefferson squad here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1234329"],"_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-68d1b5f7c1a86"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Commander-in-Chief of the Jefferson offense, everything starts and ends with [player_tooltip player_id='1234329' first='Vernon' last='Benda'] for the J-Hawks. An experienced leader under center, Benda has a command of the offense that few have had in a long time at Jefferson, and he does a little bit of everything.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a runner, Benda is smart, finds holes in the defense and slides down before taking any punishment. Through the air, he throws a tight ball and trusts his receivers -- like Lloydson (LJ) Nyenow to go get it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Though things got a bit out of hand for the Jefferson defense in the fourth quarter, Benda is a measured, calm presence at quarterback for the offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["617066"],"_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-68d1b5f7c1b3a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Not a massively imposing presence out of the backfield for Jefferson, [player_tooltip player_id='617066' first='Uweza' last='Kalolero'] lets his play do the talking on the gridiron. Shifty and tough to track down with his low center of gravity and strong legs, Kalolero is breaks tackles with ease despite his small stature, keeping his legs churning through arm tackles and occasionally shaking defenders out of their shoes and breaking some ankles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A runner with a mean streak, Kalolero will stick his hands in the face of a defender, run around them or run through them. He's also a threat as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, and even though he may be deferred to as a checkdown option, he can make a play anytime he has the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1619347"],"_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-68d1b5f7c1bcf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jefferson's leader in tackles-for-loss (TFLs), [player_tooltip player_id='1619347' first='Darius' last='Nixon'] is a physical specimen on the outside of the defensive line. Tall, long and possessing a thick frame Nixson has the makeup of a pass-rusher at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whether it's as a stand up EDGE rusher, a three-point stance defensive end or as a three-tech defensive tackle, Nixon should be able to make an impact at a variety of levels in college. If he continues to churn out production in terms of TFLs, he could get some D1 attention and, at the very least, a look from some JUCO programs that believe they could turn him into a D1 prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1234328"],"_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-68d1b5f7c1c59"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Still one of the top receivers in the state, [player_tooltip player_id='1234328' first='Lloydson' last='Nyenow Jr']'s frame and athleticism are enough to get him a spot on a Division I roster as a receiver. Back from an injury he suffered part way through his junior year of high school, Nyenow looks like he's back to his old self, if not better. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Targeted on a few deep shots that he wasn't able to come up with on Friday night, Nyenow still finished the game with four receptions for 34 yards, and if he gets some good coaching at the next level, he'll have an opportunity to be an impact X-receiver sooner rather than later. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1617708"],"_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-68d1b5f7c1ce2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A wide receiver that often gets overlooked thanks to the other offensive firepower of Kalolero and Nyenow, [player_tooltip player_id='1617708' first='Osten' last='Robertson'] caught the only touchdown pass of the night for Jefferson last week, a 26-yard shot from Benda. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top options on offense for Benda, Robertson is an athletic receiver who can catch passes over the middle, run smooth routes, extend to make difficult catches and is one of the more productive receivers alongside Nyenow and senior Jermain Robinson. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->