2029 Initial Watchlist Launch: Linebackers to Know

<!-- 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>We're excited to release our introduction to Iowa's 2029 Class this week.&nbsp;<strong>The&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/iowa-high-school-football-2029-class-player-rankings/">Watch List</a></strong>&nbsp;includes 200 freshmen from around the state, a group that is sure to grow. Our 2026 rankings recognize almost 900 student-athletes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The '29 rundown caps off our recent series of updates. The others can be found at the following links:&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2026-rankings/"><strong>2026</strong></a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2027-rankings/"><strong>2027</strong></a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2028-rankings/"><strong>2028</strong></a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Updating and growing previous classes always is enjoyable. That said, a first-time release begins a special journey for all involved.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Iowa does a nice job producing linebackers for the next level. Jack Campbell, Josey Jewell and Joel Lanning are guys of recent vintage. The freshman class is shaping up to be strong at this position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2074565' first='Zach' last='Crosman']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/zach-crosman/"></a> put together a solid ninth-grade campaign with 22.0 tackles (10 solo, 3.5 TFL) and a sack. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/26931700/6906b7496c4b96816ed08fae"><strong>freshman highlights</strong></a> reveal an athletic prospect that could continue developing on the second level of the defense with traits that could lead to success at other positions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22952332/68e04ad8790a18a9da0701eb">highlight video</a> </strong>of [player_tooltip player_id='2119749' first='Kipton' last='Curless']' first season of high school ball elicits excitement for his future. The freshman is active and diagnoses plays well. He could be a factor on the Ankeny Centennial varsity level as early as next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2120929' first='Jameson' last='Daubendiek']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jameson-daubendiek/"></a>&nbsp;is another athletic prospect currently lining up at linebacker but with potential to develop at other spots, too. Clips on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/20053656/Jameson-Daubendiek/highlights"><strong>Hudl page</strong></a> provide evidence that a future as an H-Back/tight end is possible. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keeping with the trend, [player_tooltip player_id='2072312' first='Turner' last='Derossett']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/turner-derossett/"></a>&nbsp;flashes upside on both sides of the ball. The ninth-grader recorded 39.0 tackles (25 solo, 6.0 TFL), a sack, and three interceptions. He carried eight times for 79 yards and a touchdown as well for a West Marshall team that reached the second round of the playoffs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ankeny annually boasts some of the state's top defenders. [player_tooltip player_id='2119728' first='Gavyn' last='Gatewood']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/gavyn-gatewood/"></a>&nbsp;offers up the potential to be another product in that assembly line with his performance as a true freshman, which we can see on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/26560078/Gavyn-Gatewood/highlights"><strong>Hudl page</strong></a>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From a production standpoint, [player_tooltip player_id='2074333' first='Joe' last='Kielman']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/joe-kielman/"></a>&nbsp;took a backseat to no other freshmen in Iowa during the 2025 season. The West Marshall ninth-grader led the class with 70.5 tackles (44 solo, 14.5 TFL). He intercepted a pair of passes, delivered 1.5 sacks and recovered two fumbles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like others in this rundown, [player_tooltip player_id='2119954' first='Cael' last='Moore']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/cael-moore-2/"></a>&nbsp;is advanced from a physical standpoint for his age. That should serve him well developing in a program that ranks among the state's best in producing college prospects. He offers evidence of the upside on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19168579/Cael-Moore/highlights"><strong>Hudl page</strong></a>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2075559' first='Kaleb' last='Nelson'] laid the foundation for a bright future with 29.5 tackles (27 solo, 6.5 TFL) as an Underwood ninth-grader in 2025. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/26970514/kaleb-nelson/highlights"><strong>Hudl page</strong></a> houses clips showing a versatile athlete with a broad range of skills and positional flexibility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://x.com/reesappley2/status/1982582430155571308?s=20"><strong>HERE</strong></a> you can witness [player_tooltip player_id='1687021' first='Appley' last='Rees']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/appley-rees/"></a>&nbsp;honing his craft on the Bishop Heelan junior varsity and freshman teams last fall. A path to lining up regularly for the varsity in 2026 is perfectly plausible for a well-rounded athlete packed with potential. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->