Few players that I’ve scouted have made more progress than has Headings during the last few years. A skinnier, raw player as a sophomore developed into one of the state’s top receivers. He’s also a difference maker as a defensive back. That all was on display when I scouted him again against Cedar Rapids Prairie on Oct. 17, 2025. The senior caught two passes for 36 yards, the attention he commanded opening up teammates. He also proved to be a willing and very able blocker. On defense, he delivered four solo tackles and intercepted a pass. Headings is a super athlete with speed and size. He’s been under-recruited. Give North Dakota credit in seeing the talent and securing his commitment ahead of offers from Northern Iowa, Army and Air Force. Headings will be an impact player on the FCS level, and that should happen early in his college career.

Most well-known for his defensive prowess as a defensive back for Iowa City West, North Dakota commit Ethan Headings Ethan Headings 6'2" | 190 lbs | ATH Iowa City West | 2026 State IA may be making his biggest impact on offense for the Trojans this fall.

After losing four-year starting quarterback, Jack Wallace to St. Thomas and Mason Woods to Iowa, Headings has helped West transition into its next phase of attacking opposing offenses. After posting just 10 catches for 157 yards and four scores last season, Headings nearly surpassed or matched all of those numbers in one game this season.

In week two vs. Dubuque Hempstead, Headings caught four passes for 170 yards and four touchdowns. In total this year, he’s grabbed 15 passes for 423 yards and five scores. Turns out listing him as an athlete here on PrepRedzone Iowa was the right choice.

One of the top two-way players in the state, North Dakota commit Ethan Headings Ethan Headings 6'2" | 190 lbs | ATH Iowa City West | 2026 State IA will play DB at the next level, but he stood out as a receiver on Friday. With four receptions for 89 yards to lead all pass-catchers, Headings made a huge impact in the post-Mason Woods era for the Trojan offense. One catch in particular popped, as in the second half, Headings leapt for a diving catch that gave Iowa City West a huge gain on third and medium to keep the drive going and leading to a score.

Defensively, Headings is a “put his face through your chest” type of tackler on the backend for the Trojans.