Another undersized Edge-rusher prospect who showcases great upside as a blitzer, Eli Eckerman Eli Eckerman 5'10" | 195 lbs | LB/DL Waukee Northwest | 2027 State IA broke onto the scene within the 5A conference last season to thrive as a prominent force for the Wolves’ defense. Eckerman recorded 37.5 tackles (25 solo), 9 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles in 2025. A disruptive pass-rusher who cannot be left unblocked, Eckerman was consistently able to find his way into the pocket last season, and his quickness gives QBs little time to react, but he’s proven potent as a natural DE winning 1-on-1 against OTs as well, with quick agility and a strong swim move to be able to get around blockers as well as change direction to adjust to where the ball-carrier is going. Eckerman may be better suited as an OLB, but his explosiveness and leadership that helped guide a massive turnaround for the Wolves should be intriguing for scouts at the next level.

If feels like I’m writing about a new Waukee Northwest student-athlete regularly. The ascending program continues stacking talent, and it can be tough keeping up with it. Eckerman produced at a high level for a Wolves’ outfit that reached the state semifinals for the first time in the young program’s history. The junior piled up 37.5 tackles, 25 of which were of the solo variety. He produced 9.0 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, and forced a pair of fumbles. As he showed during an in-person scout at the UNI-Dome and again during his 11th-grade highlights that can be found on his Hudl page, Eckerman is a handful standing up off of the edge. He explodes at the snap, uses his hands well and gets downhill in a hurry.