I’ve written about Bickford periodically since first seeing him at the Back2Ballin 7v7 tournament during the spring of 2025 in Cedar Falls. He showed there that he was a problem for defenders to contain with unusual speed, agility and length that creates a very large catch radius. He flashed that again back at the Back2Ballin event this past spring. I was interested to see how his game would translate after a transfer to Iowa City High before this season, when he’d be facing a higher level of play more consistently. I received an up-close look when the Little Hawks played host to Cedar Falls on Friday. The Tigers feature good defenders all over the field, but Bickford still hauled in 12 balls for 108 yards and a touchdown. He’s skinny. That’s the only knock. Bickford can play, and there’s time for his frame to fill out. Colleges are sleeping here.

Bickford first came onto my radar when I watched him making plays on both sides of the ball at the 2025 Back2Ballin 7v7 tournament. I got to scout him again at that event in April. The progress he’d made was obvious. He grew a little taller and added length to his projectable frame. Bickford has continued to show a knack for contorting his body to make tough catches, and the athleticism and speed help him beat a wide range of defenders. In other words, he’s a match-up nightmare at the X spot. Rival Iowa City West found that out in Week 1, when City High leaned on Bickford for big plays in his first game as a Little Hawk. He finished with three catches for 134 yards. A big junior year is underway and college coaches will be on their way to watch him.

Bickford caught my attention during the Back 2 Ballin 7v7 tournament last April in Cedar Falls. It put him on my radar to track during the 2025 prep season at West Liberty. He built on my initial impressions with a solid sophomore campaign for the Comets, leading them in catches (29), receiving yards (455) and touchdown grabs (4). Thirteen of his 15.0 tackles were of the solo variety. He had two interceptions and a pass defended. Bickford averaged 30.2 yards on 13 kick returns. He’ll now test his talents in Class 5A as an 11th-grader after transferring to Iowa City High, which has added on lot to its offense during the offseason. After my latest in-person scouting opportunity at Back 2 Ballin High 2026 during April at the UNI-Dome, I’m confident Bickford can be successful with a jump up in competition. He’s a playmaker with long arms and athleticism. Bickford has a projectable frame capable of adding plenty of good weight without the loss of speed or agility. He’s also an interesting defender with his skill set, and that side of the ball kept in play as a path to the next level.

Bickford caught my attention last spring when he was making plays for Rip City during the Back2Ballin 7-on-7 tournament at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. His long arms and athleticism made him a factor on both sides of the ball. He carried that production over into his sophomore campaign at West Liberty. Bickford collected 29 receptions for 455 yards and four touchdowns, all of which were team bests. Thirteen of his 15.0 tackles were solo stops. He also picked off a pair of throws and was credited with a pass defended. Bickford averaged 30.2 yards on 13 kick returns, making one house call. The first clip on his 10th-grade highlight video has him making a one-handed grab over the defender in the corner of the end zone. Watching on, we see more winning on contested throws along with a broad set of skills making him a well-rounded receiver.