Scouting Reports: State Semis 4A Guys on the Rise

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;howe30&nbsp;in the coupon code area</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone Iowa was in the house for all of last week's state semifinals. Please check out the front page of the site for recaps, reactions and photo galleries from the games, eight-player through Class 5A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now that I'm back at my desk, I'm going through my mental rolodex of what I witnessed. The results will be a "Guys on the Rise" series of fresh scouting reports from what I saw.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we'll cover 4A:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2048995"],"_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-691b996436d21"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Van Den Broek caught my attention while operating on a team with a bevy of talented skill players during the state semifinals against Sergeant Bluff-Luton. It wasn't easy to stick out, but he did so with two receptions for 75 yards, including a 43-yard touchdown. A big target with a large catch radius thanks to his long limbs, Van Den Broek also is agile and athletic. He runs well and chews up a lot of turf with his long strides. Jumping ability helps him win up top and large hands also aid him in securing passes thrown his way. Keep developing him at receiver with the possibility that his projectable frame could grow into an exciting prospect at tight end, too. His 472 yards heading into the 4A title game lead the Dutch and his six touchdown grabs are second on the squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2055839"],"_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-691b9c7baa108"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brandenhorst has been a mystery for me this season as someone piling up statistics but not having any video highlights on Hudl. He definitely was a guy I was focused on watching when scouting the Dutch against Sergeant Bluff-Lutin during the state semifinals. Branderhorst played a key role in Pella advancing to the 4A state championship game for a second year in a row. He racked up 10.0 tackles running sideline to sideline as part of a outstanding defensive effort. Pella lists Branderhorst as a linebacker, but he fits as a hybrid with the speed and athleticism to work at safety on the next level. Branderhorst certainly is one to watch moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1992066"],"_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-691bbbf99fa33"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Verros gained my interest when I saw his numbers pile up throughout the season. I went to get a look at his highlights on Hudl, and there weren't any yet. As a result, I made sure to focus on him when I got to the UNI-Dome for the Class 4A semifinals against Pella. Verros did not disappoint. The junior rushed 16 times for 131 yards (8.2 YPC) and a pair of touchdowns. Verros isn't a big back, but he can slip through opposing arms and finishes runs with power. His ability to hit the hole hard after locating it with sharp vision might be his best asset. It comes with a good burst and a knack for avoiding defenders with a sharp foot plant into the ground. Verros accelerates quickly through the gaps and hits an extra gear in space. His frame has room to fill out without losing any agility or speed, which would help with durability.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2055975"],"_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-691bc2495d643"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I made a point of focusing on guys that intrigued me with statistics and other attributes but did not yet have film posted on Hudl when scouting this year's state semifinals at the UNI-Dome. Borcherding was among that group. He definitely showed potential to play the sport on the next level. He's strong with a good motor that keeps him churning through the whistle. Borcherding achieves leverage advantages regularly and drives with his legs. He comes from good bloodlines as his older brother, Jace, is a freshman offensive lineman with Northwestern. Zack produced five tackles during the Saints' semifinal win against Newton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1937346"],"_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-691bc47b57c81"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Xavier has fielded teams with running backs like Cook throughout the years. In fact, this year's starter, [player_tooltip player_id='1238169' first='Carter' last='Hoffmann'], is like that. Cook is similarly built with height and a solid frame, but not one that's overly stout. He uses longer strides, helping get to the edge. He's strong enough to power through arm tackles with a frame capable of adding good weight and strength. Cook also stresses defenses as a receiver. He's a big-play guy. All of the skills were on display during the state semifinals at the UNI-Dome. In a win against Newton, he rushed four times for 67 yards and a touchdown. He caught three balls for 73 yards. Xavier will miss Hoffmann when he graduates after this school year, but the position is in the good hands of Cook.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1620116"],"_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-691bc6995b429"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Northcutt was a focal point of my scouting opportunity to watch the Cardinals take on No. 1 Xavier during the state semifinals at the UNI-Dome. I saw him earlier this season against Clear Creek Amana and wanted more in-person data. He doesn't have any film posted on Hudl. Northcutt is intriguing, no doubt. He brings length and a frame capable of adding good weight. With that will come strength and durability. He runs well and gets downhill in a hurry. During the game against the Saints, Northcutt came up with seven tackles, five of which were solo. He also delivered a tackle for loss. For the season, he ended up with 57.0 tackles (51 solo, 4.0 TFL), a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->