Josh Lampe Josh Lampe 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB/WR Newton | 2028 State IA is another outstanding athlete with high upside who has already made an impact for Newton’s defense, guiding them to their first double-digit winning season since 2006. Lampe recorded 36.5 tackles (31 solo), 5 TFLs, 3 sacks, and a forced fumble. Lampe’s testing numbers are considerably impressive, including a 4.5 40 yard time, a 38″ vertical jump, a 230 lb max bench, and a 335 lb max squat. Lampe’s impacts as a defender have been more evident in the box, proving to be an excellent open-field tackler, containing the outside run well, and also showing great hustle in minimizing bigger plays in the run and short-pass game. Lampe’s talents at Strong Safety should continue to grow and he will be a great mainstay for the Cardinals’ defense as they look to stay in deep contention in Class 4A going forward.

Newton is set to have a solid run in 2026 with a great group of young players, including rising sophomore Josh Lampe Josh Lampe 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB/WR Newton | 2028 State IA . Lampe had a productive season at safety, where he recorded 36.5 tackles, five TFLs, three sacks, and a fumble recovery. Lampe really stood out with his versatility, showing he can line up at safety, in the slot, or even mug up the line of scrimmage to bring pressure as shown by his three sacks. Josh is a solid athlete who shows nice fluidity in coverage, with good footwork and loose hips to change direction quickly. One underrated aspect of Josh’s game is his ability to win the edge when defending outside runs. He’s able to quickly get to the line of scrimmage and disengage from blocks to continue pursuing the ball. Solid film with a ton of potential in these upcoming couple of seasons.

I wrote about Lampe after watching him compete in a game at Clear Creek Amana during the regular season. It was great getting another opportunity for an in-person scout when Newton took on eventual state champion Xavier in the Class 4A state semifinals at the UNI-Dome. Lampe confirmed what I witnessed back in Tiffin. He’s an athletic safety with present impact and potential for much more. Against the mighty Saints, Lampe produced 7.0 tackles (4 solo, 2.0 TFL) and a sack. That finished off a sophomore campaign that saw him record 36.5 stops (31 solo, 5.0 TFL), 3.0 sacks and a forced fumble. Lampe brings a sound frame to the table already with a chance for added strength. He’s an explosive athlete that gets downhill in a hurry in the run game and can run with receivers in coverage. Lampe is firmly on the radar heading into an offseason that should take him to college camps to show off his abilities.

I didn’t know much about Lampe heading into an in-person scout of Newton at Clear Creek Amana on Oct. 10, 2025. He caught my attention early on in the game and held it throughout. Lampe appeared prepared for what the Clippers were doing, analyzing what he was seeing pre-snap and communicating his findings to teammates. He runs and flows well to the football, staying technically sound and committed to his assignments. Lampe benefits from athleticism and long arms in coverage with a frame that can comfortably fill out more and add strength without the loss of what makes him effective already.