Prep Redzone IA Standouts: RB’s, WR's & TE's

Friday, we were out in Bettendorf, Iowa, at the TBK Sports Complex for our first-ever Prep Redzone Iowa Showcase. Plenty of talent was on display from states like Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota & Wisconsin. Here were Friday’s top RB, WR, & TE performers. <hr /> RB’s [player_tooltip player_id="30988" first="Donald" last="Austin"], 5’11, 215, St. John’s Northwestern, (WI), Sr I’ll tell you what, man, this kid and his brother Phil are put together. Donald runs with a low pad level and has the pure strength to run you over if you get in his way. He showed soft hands out of the backfield and looked fluid during individual drills. [player_tooltip player_id="65117" first="Preston" last="Sumner"], 6’2, 220, Carterville, (IL), Sr The best available 2021 running back at the event looked like a grown man out there. Despite being 220, Preston still ran in the 4.6 range and was one of the faster backs at the event. If you look at him, he looks more like a mike linebacker than a tailback, but don’t let that size fool you; this guy is no joke at running back. He has enough speed to run by you and the power to lower his shoulder and finish off runs. He picked up an offer from Quincy not long after the event, and man, did he deserve it. [player_tooltip player_id="23967" first="Colin" last="Kadolph"], 5’11, 190, Ankeny, (IA), Jr If we would have given out an overall MVP, it would have gone to Colin. He ran a 4.38 40 yard dash time in his first attempt and a 4.42 in his second attempt. He dominated during the 1 on 1 portion of the event, using his speed to simply run past defenders and catch vertical ball after vertical ball. Kadolph proved he’s a division one type back who needs to be on people’s radar. [player_tooltip player_id="20871" first="Josh" last="Dornink"], 5’10, 185, Batavia, (IL), Jr I had Josh rated as one of the state’s top backs, strictly based on his tape. I had not actually seen him in-person until Friday, and man he did not disappoint. He ran a 4.56 40 yard dash and was spectacular running routes out of the backfield. He showed the ability to sink his hips at the top of his routes and easily catch the ball away from his body. To me, he’s a division one back and proved that on Friday. Josh Jenkins, 6’, 190, Lincoln, (IA), Jr Jenkins is such a talented back who can make you miss in the open field and is a slasher out of the backfield. He showed impressive change of direction and great body control during individual drills. The acceleration and burst are there, and Jenkins should be one of the state’s top 2022 backs. [player_tooltip player_id="23951" first="Corey" last="Phillips"], 5’8, 155, Kaneland, (IL), Jr Phillips flashed on tape at the lower levels as a sophomore and flashed here in person. He’s a shifty running back with great contact balance for a smaller guy. In-person, he was able to swiftly stop and start and did a good job of tempoing his routes to lull linebackers to sleep. [player_tooltip player_id="65718" first="Ty" last="Schultz"], 5’10, 190, Lockport, (IL), Jr Schultz was a very strong performer on varsity as a sophomore and proved he was one of the best backs at our camp Friday night. Ty is a strong hands catcher out of the backfield with great vision after the catch. He’s a true three-down back who can make you pay between the tackles but also can get out on the perimeter and make something happen quickly. WR’s [player_tooltip player_id="20266" first="Tristin" last="Duncan"], 6’2, 180, Effingham, (IL), Sr Probably the best available senior at the showcase regardless of position. Duncan will eat up a DB’s leverage, stick his toe in the turf, and run right by you. He’s a master of the go ball and can effortlessly make over the shoulder catches. He shows no issues catching in traffic and can get make things happen after the catch. [player_tooltip player_id="65241" first="Joe" last="Kuthe"], 6’1, 185, Stillman Valley, (IL), Sr Kuthe was moving during the shuttle testing, so much so that a coach made it a point for me to talk to him. Joe’s a fundamentally sound wide receiver who will do all the little things right. He’s got solid initial burst off the ball and will catch everything thrown his way. If you’re still looking for a possession type receiver that’s uncommitted, look no further than Mr. Kuthe. Javonte Rucker, 6’2, 190, Wheaton Academy, (IL), Sr Rucker was injured as a junior and didn’t have any varsity tape coming into this camp, but man, did he make his presence felt. He toasted defensive backs in press coverage and showed good strength slapping away an opposing defender’s punch. Rucker has a great build to go with it and could be a really good steal for someone at the next level. [player_tooltip player_id="65791" first="Dane" last="Pardridge"], 6’, 170, Marmion, (IL), Jr A fantastic route runner who gets better every time you see him. Not the biggest guy in the world, but Dane will use his speed and quickness to defeat corners in press coverage. He’s exceptional at the top of his route and will stick his foot and accelerate towards where he’s going. Harrison Rosenberg, 6'2, 170, Clear Creek Amana, (IA), Jr Harrison does a good job creating separation at the top of his route and showed a big catch radius in 1 on 1’s. He showed quick feet during individual drills and had some good build-up speed in his routes. He’s a strong hands catcher who will fight defensive backs for the ball. Keep an eye on him as he enters his senior season. Grant Larkin, 6’, 175, Neuqua Valley, (IL), So Larkin is explosive and can spin defensive backs like a top. He doesn’t look like a sophomore, nor does he play like one. He was one of the best prospects in attendance regardless of age and should be a legitimate FBS target. He could have a future at the next level at both wide receiver and defensive back. TE’s Luke Kokat, 6’4, 215, Union Grove, (WI), Jr Someone offer this kid because the sky is the limit for him. He’s nasty as a run blocker on film and showed soft hands in person at our showcase. He’s a nifty route runner with deceptive build up speed. He does a good job using his body to post up defenders and high point the football. He needs to add a little weight to his frame, but he’s a division one tight end in my eyes. Kai Rios, Rock Island, 6’5, 215, Rock Island, (IL), Jr A raw tight end prospect with a ton of god-given ability. Rios is still learning how to play the position but is already a masterful route runner. He explodes off the football and knows how to set up both linebackers and defensive backs to their demise. Give him a full season of practices and games, and you’ll see a very good finished product. Nickolas Hawkins, 6’5, 240, Lemont, (IL), So Just a sophomore, but man Hawkins already looks like a division one tight end. He moves extremely well for a big man and was a mismatch on linebackers all night. I was shocked at how well he got in and out of his cuts. The scary part is he’s just getting started. This young man has a very high ceiling.   Others Who Stood Out RB: Joey Moberg, 5’11, 195, St. Paul Johnson, (MN), Sr RB: Patrick Oden, 5’10, 185, Nazareth, (IL), Sr WR: Andrew LaPlant, 5’10, 195, Wheaton Academy, (IL), Sr WR: Trenton Taylor, 6’1, 190, Durand, (IL), Jr WR: Carson Crouch, 5’10, 180, Dwight, (IL), Sr WR: Connor Deem, 5’11, 180, Rockridge, (IL), Fr TE: Luke Johnsen, 6’3, 225, Geneseo, (IL), Fr