Season Review: Impactful Freshmen of 2025

<!-- 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><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/12/season-review-iowa-guys-with-highest-ceilings/">Season Review: Iowa Guys with Highest Ceilings</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/12/season-review-sophomore-qbs-on-the-rise-in-25/">Season Review: Sophomore QBs on the Rise in '25</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're just getting started with our offseason content, which will include as many scouting reports of student-athletes we have time to write and, hopefully, increased coverage of 7-on-7 action. Next up, we take a closer look at impactful freshmen during the 2025 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2074333"],"_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-6931c3e0ec52f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kielman paced the state's ninth-graders with 70.5 tackles this season. Forty four of those stops were of the solo variety, and he piled up 14.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks as well. Kielman also intercepted a pair of passes and recovered two fumbles. In watching clips on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/27533803/joseph-kielman/highlights">Hudl page</a>, the youngster shows an advanced feel for flowing to the football. Kielman appears to diagnose plays before the snap, which often has him flying to the football once the action is underway. With quickness and athleticism in abundance, Kielman does well in coverage and in avoiding blocks. He'll be interesting to monitor moving forward having gotten off to a fast and impressive start. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2074457"],"_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-6931d9f8d5d38"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ritchie proved to be an impactful performer on both sides of the ball for the River Hawks this fall. On offense, he caught 25 balls for 363 yards and five touchdowns. Ritchie contributed 39.5 tackles (31.0 solo, 12.0 TFL), 5.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a Pick-6. He also flashed ability as a returner. Listed as a tight end, Ritchie plays more like a wideout right now, albeit one with size and physicality. He runs good routes and finds ways to get open when the play heads off of schedule. Ritchie has good hands and can run after the catch. While there are fewer highlights of him playing off of the edge compared to pass-catching clips on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/26215364/691b4ffece1a8f0f079dbab0">freshman highlight video</a>, Ritchie flashed upside on defense with athleticism and sideline-to-sideline speed. He's definitely 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":["2074520"],"_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-6931e4a5d916b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Weymiller kicked of his high school career laying a strong foundation for what's to come. As a freshman in 2025, he got his feet wet as a signal caller, completing all four of his passing attempts, and running for 49 yards in limited duty. He also caught a few passes, highlighting his versatility and athleticism. Weymiller had his greatest impact on defense, where he registered 26.5 tackles, 19 of which were solo. He also contributed a pair of tackles for loss and an interception. In viewing the clips on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/23924773/Tytan-Weymiller/highlights">Hudl page</a>, we witness a prospect with unusual athleticism, physicality and speed for a ninth-grader. Weymiller looks natural lining up at linebacker, where he diagnoses plays well and flows effectively to the football. He's a dual-threat behind center with a chance to develop there as well. Keep an eye on this kid. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2074548"],"_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-6931e7af69495"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ploog announced his presence as a freshman in 2025. The ninth-grader delivered 26.0 tackles, 13 of which were solo stops. He had 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. The first thing that pops out when watching <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/24286428/691f7e1ae77971cbdefadf97">Ploog's highlight video</a> from this fall is his advanced physicality relative to his age. He does well in setting the edge as a defensive end and operates within the scheme. When the opportunity arises, he is quick in pursuit and in separating from blockers. Ploog has fast feet and does a nice job effectively utilizing his hands. He appears to have a frame capable of adding weight and strength without losing the agility that aids his success already.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2074565"],"_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-6931ead38c03e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Crosman put together a first prep season that should bode well for his future and makes him one to watch during the next three years. He recorded 22.0 tackles with 10 of them being solo stops. His 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack prove his disruptive behavior for opposing offenses. Crosman also flashed potential as a returner, too. When checking out Crosman's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/26931700/6906b7496c4b96816ed08fae">ninth-grade highlight video</a>, his versatility and play-making ability shine through as soon as it gets rolling. He's fast and flies to the football. His quickness also benefits him in pass coverage, where he looks very capable of shutting down his guy or blanketing his area of a zone. Crosman diagnoses plays quickly and is tough for blockers to square up in the run game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2074580"],"_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-6931ed581e22f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Anderson turned out to be a revelation for Waterloo West this season. The freshman contributed in all three phases on the varsity, handing part-time duties at running back and blocking a kick during his exploits on special teams. He did most of his damage on defense, however, where he contributed 18.0 tackles, including seven solo stops and a tackle for loss. Anderson's freshman highlight video opens him blocking a field-goal try by the opponent, almost taking it all the way back for a touchdown. Other clips show him shining as a running back on the sophomore team. Anderson mixes power and speed with sharp cuts and keen vision. It will be interesting to see what he can do with more varsity touches next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->