I was extremely impressed with Black Raider senior TE/LB Kason Clayborne Kason Clayborne 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB/TE Sioux City East | 2027 State IA a Minnesota Gopher commit. Clayborne was the most dominant player on the field and played with a Big Ten intensity that rallied the Black Raider defense to hold the Stars to just (34) yards of offense. Clayborne finished with (6.0) tackles and only played the first half. Clayborne was also busy on offense at tight-end where he caught (2) red-zone touchdowns from QB Koch. Clayborne uses his big body frame well to get separation from the defender and will be a tough cover all season long in the passing game.

Clayborne is one of the state’s top players regardless of position. It’s the reason he rose up four spots to No. 6 in Prep Redzone Iowa’s latest 2027 rankings. Clayborne is a dominating prep player packed with the potential to be a difference maker on the next level. The Minnesota pledge stresses defenses as an athletic, physical tight end that caught 27 balls for 302 yards and six scores a year ago. Of his 51.0 tackles, 35 were solo stops. Clayborne posted 10.5 tackles for loss, a sack, an interception and a fumble recovery as a menacing linebacker haunting opponents from sideline to sideline. In many ways, Clayborne is too fast and physical for the level. His future in Minneapolis is an exciting one.

Clayborne is one of the state’s top players regardless of position. He also boasts one of its highest upsides, presenting 2026 prep opponents being in a precarious position trying to deal with him. The Minnesota pledge stresses defenses as an athletic, physical tight end that caught 27 balls for 302 yards and six scores a year ago. Of his 51.0 tackles, 35 were solo stops. Clayborne posted 10.5 tackles for loss, a sack, an interception and a fumble recovery as a menacing linebacker haunting opponents from sideline to sideline. In many ways, Clayborne is too fast and physical for the level. His future in Minneapolis is an exciting one.

A Power 4 recruit with offers from the likes of Arizona, Michigan State, Minnesota, Purdue and others, Kason Clayborne Kason Clayborne 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB/TE Sioux City East | 2027 State IA is one of the better linebackers the state has to offer. A violent, fluid athlete that pursues ball-carriers from sideline-to-sideline, possesses a strong base that he uses to explode through tackles, along with using his long frame to rush quarterbacks off-the-edge, Clayborne has the physical tools and smarts to rack up major stats for the Sioux City East defense.

Putting together 51 tackles, 10.5 tackles-for-loss (TFLs) and an interception, Clayborne is a versatile weapons defensively. Pair his numbers as a receiver, where he grabbed 27 receptions for 302 yards and six scores, and the two-way prospect has the potential to do enough on both sides to take home the award next season.