Without a doubt, Grant Whitcomb Grant Whitcomb 6'0" | 165 lbs | DB/WR Bishop Heelan | 2027 State IA will be the Crusaders’ most proven X-Factor returning on their starting lineup from the 2025 season. Whitcomb made a huge impact on both sides of the ball, finishing as the team’s leading receiver with 572 receiving yards on just 24 receptions (23.8 YPC) and 5 TDs. On defense, he added 17.5 tackles, 2 TFLs, 6 INTs, and 1 defensive TD. Showcasing a natural ability with his ball-tracking, his anticipation and quick hands allowed him to consistently excel as a ball-hawk in the secondary while possessing an impressive amount of speed to glide past defenders to make him a dangerous vertical threat on offense. Whitcomb boasts several D2 offers already, and his role for the Crusaders will very much remain vital toward their performance for this upcoming season.

It was pretty easy to see why we have Grant rated as our DB4 in the 2027 Iowa class and college coaches are taking note quickly, as the Bishop Heelan defensive back was one of the best I saw in attendance on Sunday at the Augustana Prospect Camp. I’ve mentioned a couple times now how much I loved the physicality of this defensive back group, and Grant was front and center to why I gave them that nod. From the jump of his 1v1 reps, Grant was constantly rattling wide receivers early on their routes while also showing off excellent ball-tracking ability when he got them off balance. To say that Grant was relentless might be an understatement, as I feel he’s one that has a good shot to move up in our DB group in the state of Iowa based on his live eval at Augustana.

The only player in 3A that matched Kelley’s interception output from last season was Grant Whitcomb Grant Whitcomb 6'0" | 165 lbs | DB/WR Bishop Heelan | 2027 State IA of Bishop Heelan. A long, slick corner for the Crusaders, Whitcomb is a prototypical size for the position, possessing the toolkit and the know how to play both man and zone coverage.

Showing ball-skills of a receiver and instincts of a veteran DB, it’s no surprise that Whitcomb came away with so many picks this last year. He’s a natural at the cornerback spot, showing feel, athleticism and stick hands to grab those interceptions, including one pick-six this last year.

With the graduation of so many pieces on their state runner-up squad, Whitcomb will need to reach a new level on both sides of the ball this fall. In addition to his stout defensive performance, he grabbed 24 passes for 572 yards and five scores as a receiver.

A defensive back with long arms and the ball skills of a receiver, Grant Whitcomb Grant Whitcomb 6'0" | 165 lbs | DB/WR Bishop Heelan | 2027 State IA is one of the best corners Iowa and Class 3A have to offer. Tying for the second-most interceptions in 3A with six and adding a pick-six, Whitcomb was key in Bishop Heelan’s run to the runner up finish at state. Playing on offense, too, Whitcomb led the Crusaders in receiving yards after grabbing 24 passes for 572 yards and five scores.

Able to play man and zone coverage with instincts on when to break on the ball — plus the burst to do so and grab the aforementioned six interceptions — Whitcomb plays the position with natural feel paired with his athleticism and ability to haul in the ball. Adding 17.5 tackles, he’s solid in run support and has the ability to tackle receivers in the open field.

Bishop Heelan’s Grant Whitcomb Grant Whitcomb 6'0" | 165 lbs | DB/WR Bishop Heelan | 2027 State IA makes a strong debut on the rankings after a productive two-way season for the 3A runner-up squad. Whitcomb finished the season with 17 tackles and six interceptions (one pick-six) and was the team’s leading receiver with 24 catches for 572 yards and five touchdowns. My takeaway from Grant’s tape is that the guy is a flat-out playmaker. He’s very smart in coverage, demonstrating he can read and react on the fly by picking up route concepts and anticipating when to jump routes. Grant was especially effective in zone coverage, where he kept his eyes on the play and did a great job of lurking and baiting QBs into bad throws, while having the top-tier closing speed to get to the ball right away. He is very smooth in transition with clean footwork, loose hips, and a shifty change of direction. One thing that stood out was his effectiveness at playing through the receiver’s hands to force incompletions. Stock is soaring for Grant going into the offseason!

Though impactful for Heelan as a receiver, Grant Whitcomb Grant Whitcomb 6'0" | 165 lbs | DB/WR Bishop Heelan | 2027 State IA has largely been recognized for what he’s done at defensive back this season in Sioux City, grabbing six interceptions.

On Saturday, he showed up in a big way, helping out Conley’s efforts and willing the Crusaders to their 13-point win over the reigning 3A champions.

An athletic receiver that stands at 6-feet tall, Whitcomb uses his long strides to get behind the defense and is more than willing to lay out and make tough catches, showing off body control to haul in passes that aren’t the most easily caught. Conley found him deep twice, as Whitcomb finished with three catches for 44 yards and two scores. He added a pass-breakup (PBU) on defense.

The star defensive back for one of the top powerhouse programs in northwest Iowa and in 3A, Grant Whitcomb Grant Whitcomb 6'0" | 165 lbs | DB/WR Bishop Heelan | 2027 State IA of Bishop Heelan didn’t record a single interception last season for the Crusaders.

This year, the 6-foot, 165-pound defensive back is tied for the lead in 3A with four picks through six games. Returning one for a touchdown, he’s averaging 23 yards per return. Whitcomb has helped out as a receiver on a run-heavy team, too, as he’s grabbed seven passes for 156 yards and a score.

Whitcomb has broken out in 2025 after a sophomore campaign that saw him fit in nicely as a role player. This fall, he ranks among the state’s leaders with three interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. He also was credited with a pass defended and had allowed only one completion in man coverage through the first three weeks. Whitcomb contributed six receptions for 119 yards and a score as well. In watching highlights from his first three games, we see a prospect with a high football IQ, athleticism to capitalize on what he’s diagnosing and physicality to be impactful in the secondary. Whitcomb is one to watch moving forward.