Hegelheimer flashed upside backing up one of the state’s top running backs a year ago. With the lead role opening up this season, the junior has begun realizing his ceiling as a ball carrier. The latest piece of evidence was submitted when Regina moved to 3-0 with a 28-12 triumph at Class 2A Alburnett Thursday night. Hegelheimer carried 29 times for 214 yards and two touchdowns. He also returned a kick 19 yards, had a touchback on five kickoffs and was 4 for 4 on extra points. Hegelmeimer impressed me during in-person scouting opportunities last season and showed an improved all-around game when scouting him in this year’s season opener against Wilton. He’s a well-rounded back with patience, vision, burst an extra gear and soft hands as a receiver.

I got a sense of what Hegelheimer could do last season when he was backing up a talented upperclassman. The ability and skills to be a feature back were inside there. The junior proved that to be the case in the 2026 season-opener, when he carried 16 times for 135 yards (8.4 YPC) and a touchdown in a 36-0 victory. His three receptions for 50 yards and a score illustrated his well-rounded game. Hegelheimer also posted a tackle for loss, made all three of his extra points and had a touchback on three kickoffs. As a running back prospect, the Regal ball carrier flows well with the action, exhibiting patience and vision. There’s burst through the creases and slipperiness in space. Hegelheimer is powerful in his lower half, breaking tackles and run over defenders.

Hegelheimer’s opportunities were limited last season as a sophomore operating behind a workhorse running back. When he received the rock, however, he knew what to do. He picked up 294 yards (11.8 YPC) and six touchdowns, and hauled in four passes for 48 yards for a team that reached the state title game. Hegelheimer also was dynamic on special teams, averaging 28.8 yards on 11 kick returns, taking one back for a score. As a kicker, he was 4 of 4 on field goals and hit all 62 points-after-touchdown. Hegelheimer also contributed on defense. We expect Hegelheimer to take off as a running back this season, carries there for the taking. He mixes power and speed to become a major problem for opponents Colleges already are involved with Hegelheimer. Expect that attention to increase this fall.

A specimen of an athlete, Gabriel Hegelheimer Gabriel Hegelheimer 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB/K Regina | 2028 State IA didn’t get much shine this fall for Regina Catholic in Iowa City. Sitting behind a Power 4 prospect in Savion Miller Savion Miller 5'11" | 180 lbs | RB Iowa City | 2027 State IA , Hegelheimer played second fiddle in the run game, but still put up some damn good numbers in the process. Taking 25 carries for 294 yards (11.8 yards per carry) and six scores, Hegelheimer wasn’t fully unleashed, and he still put up excellent numbers in a small sample size.

A body type that could play running back or linebacker at the next level, Hegelheimer possesses the burst, physical running style and quickness in between the tackles to be an impactful every down back or a hard hitting linebacker, whichever path he chooses to take.

Either way, he’s set for a breakout junior campaign, and he will greatly benefit from the camp circuit this summer.

(@GabeHegs)

Regina’s Gabriel Hegelmeiner looks ready to take on the duties of being the feature back for the Regals next fall. Despite playing a backup role, Gabe still produced 294 yards and six touchdowns on 25 carries. Gabe is a well-rounded running back who has a great mix of speed and power, along with a nose for the big play. He has a very strong base and a sturdy frame at 5’11 and 190 pounds, which keeps him upright through tackle attempts and gives him the power to move piles for additional yards after contact. Strong runner in between the tackles, but can quickly bounce runs to the outside where he can reach his next gear. There were also some impressive blocking clips on Gabe’s tape, where he lined up as a fullback and opened up lanes for his backfield mate. Hegelheimer also projects to be one of the top specialists in the state after converting 62 of 62 PATs, knocking in all four of his field goal attempts (long of 38), and averaging 33 yards per punt. Some schools have already begun to take notice of the Regina prospect, and it shouldn’t be long before they start extending offers.

Known for his size and quickness, Gabriel Hegelheimer Gabriel Hegelheimer 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB/K Regina | 2028 State IA undoubtedly has a future in college football, whether it’s at running back or somewhere on defense.

On Thursday, his kicking abilities are what helped the Regals the most. Perfect on PATs throughout the season, Hegelheimer stayed true on extra points, but where he came up the most clutch for Regina was on field goals of 29 and 38 yards. The latter being a career long.