Iowa Sophomores Whose Stock Could Rise
Iowa is one of my favorite spots in the entire country to look for hidden gems. There may be small-town football, but there’s big-time talent just waiting to be found. Today, we shifted our focus towards the class of 2025.…
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Continue ReadingIowa is one of my favorite spots in the entire country to look for hidden gems. There may be small-town football, but there’s big-time talent just waiting to be found. Today, we shifted our focus towards the class of 2025. These young men showed plenty of potential on film in 2021, and I believe they may be due for a breakout sophomore season. If they do stand out this fall, look for their recruiting stock to rise quickly. Backing potential with production is an important feat & it could set their recruiting well in motion. With that being said, here’s who you need to watch for!
WR: Xzavion Robinson, 5’10” 160, Valley
- Noticeable wiggle to make defenders miss in the open field.
- Easily rolls the neck, tracking the football right into the breadbasket.
- Vertical leaping ability gives smaller defensive backs problems.
- Shiftiness and speed make him an extremely explosive return man.
- Can take the top off just about any defense.
DE: Jack Limbaugh Jack Limbaugh 6'4" | 225 lbs | ATH Algona | 2025 State IA , 6’4″ 210, Algona
- Bend creates a mismatch against stiff offensive tackles.
- Always seems to be a step ahead of his linemates.
- Quite slippery in the run game.
- Always looking to clean up tackles from the backside.
- Needs to add weight but has the frame to easily do so.
ATH: Gavin Sleezer Gavin Sleezer 6'3" | 210 lbs | LB Alta-Aurelia | 2025 State IA , 6’2″ 190, Alta-Aurelia
- Has a knack for sneaking behind zone coverage.
- Overall physicality translates well on both sides of the football.
- Consistently keeps his feet moving on tackle attempts.
- High volume blocker out on the perimeter.
- Ball carriers go backward when he gets his hands on them.
DT: Joey VanWetzinga Joey VanWetzinga 6'2" | 255 lbs | DL Pleasant Valley | 2025 State IA , 6’2″ 250, Pleasant Valley
- Fires off the ball low like a torpedo.
- Consistent pad level for four quarters.
- Generates a ton of instant force from his lower half.
- Has some serious pop behind his punch.
- Has the raw power to create knockback and cause major disruption in the backfield.
ATH: Gavin Kramer Gavin Kramer 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Northeast | 2025 State IA , 6′ 180, Northeast
- No issues when forced to improvise on his own.
- Touch looks good inside and outside the pocket.
- A major threat to sling it vertically when the pocket collapses.
- Underrated top-end speed.
- Plenty of off-platform ability.
ATH: Alex Manse, 6’2″ 190, Algona
- Impressive build and stature for a safety.
- Uses the gator roll tackle when out leveraged.
- Has an extra gear he can kick in when chasing down ball carriers.
- Is a form-fit tackler when opportunities present themselves.
- Shows above-average ball skills for a young defensive back.