A stout defender that immediately stood out as a prospect Seth Wallace and Iowa would love, the Hawkeye commit is a future Mike linebacker in Iowa City. Long and tough as nails, Stecker racks up tackles on tackles for Bettendorf as just the latest stud linebacker to come out of the eastern Iowa program.

A read-and-react backer that put up 77 tackles last season for the Bulldogs, Stecker has some upside as a pass-catcher or a runner, that could certainly add to his value for Bettendorf during his senior campaign. If he’s one of the players in the state that racks up 100+ tackles, plus grabs some passes or handles some of the offensive load on the ground, he’ll be a name that could easily fit into the conversation for this award.

One of the premiere linebacker prospects in the state and in the Midwest, Gavin Stecker Gavin Stecker 6'3" | 200 lbs | LB Bettendorf | 2027 State IA showed why he has offers from Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State and Minnesota on Friday night. Supposedly putting up just 12 tackles according to Bound, it sure looked like the No. 2 LB in Iowa had quite a few more than that against Prairie — probably closer to 20.

With Iowa LBs coach, Seth Wallace in attendance, Stecker was around the ball on every play, showing off his strength as a backer on one particular play early in the game. When meeting a Prairie running back in the B-gap on third and short, Stecker stoned the ball-carrier and stopped him in his tracks for no gain. Still slight of frame but with a high football IQ and nose for the football, Stecker’s upside is massive.

(@gstecker24)

Bettendorf’s Gavin Stecker Gavin Stecker 6'3" | 200 lbs | LB Bettendorf | 2027 State IA had a breakout season last fall and has already started to reap the benefits on the recruiting trail. Gavin recorded 58 tackles and 7.5 TFLs as a sophomore and has since picked up offers from Power 4 schools like Iowa, Iowa State, and Kansas State. Gavin possesses a solid frame at 6’3″ and 200 pounds, with the power to blow up RBs when he meets them in the hole and win at the point of contact. Stecker looked solid as a run defender, showing he can effectively fill gaps against the inside run while defending runs to the outside with his closing speed and ability to hold off blockers. I was also impressed with Stecker’s ability to play in space, flashing quick instincts in coverage to pick up crossing receivers and identify offensive schemes. Stecker takes proper angles when pursuing the ball and has a great motor that keeps him running from snap to whistle. Won’t be surprised if Stecker is sitting at double-digit offers at the end of the season.