A twitchy prospect that is sneakily fast and strong despite his slight frame, Marshall Sheldon Marshall Sheldon 6'1" | 200 lbs | LB/RB Iowa City | 2028 State IA is one of the more unique recruits on this list. He’s not big or necessarily super physically gifted, he just makes plays — like, a lot.

Fearless as a freshman, Sheldon led the Little Hawks in tackles in his first year with 69, following it up with 74.5 as a sophomore. In 2025, he not only finished fifth in his class in tackles, but he trailed only Fleshman in TFLs with 19. He also did all of that despite breaking his hand twice in the middle of the season.

Sheldon plays with anticipation, the speed to weave into offensive formations and around blockers, unreal ball-pursuit and a ‘no flash, just football’ style. Whatever program takes a flyer on Sheldon will be glad they did.

One of the top prospects in the class of 2028, Marshall Sheldon Marshall Sheldon 6'1" | 200 lbs | LB/RB Iowa City | 2028 State IA made the first real offensive impact of his high school career on Friday at Bates Field. Now serving as the lead back for the Little Hawks, Sheldon carried over his natural ability on defense to offense, as a smooth runner of the football that can find a crevice in the defense and expose it. He’s more powerful and physical than he initially looks, and he has a chance to play at the next level at LB or RB (assuming he continues to add to his frame), if he so chooses. With 12 carries for 90 yards, Sheldon was one of the few Little Hawks who could get anything going for the offense.

At linebacker, Sheldon finished with 7.5 tackles, including 3.5 tackles-for-loss, again providing one of few bright spots for City High in a difficult game.

Already referenced in Tuesday’s article on five standouts from City High’s practice last week, Sheldon’s name is one you’ll here connected to the Little Hawks for the next three years.

A linebacker and running back, Sheldon led the City High defense in tackles as a freshman last season, and his role is only going to increase further. A stalwart defensively, Sheldon finds a way to plug gaps in opposing offensive lines, is a hard-hitter and doesn’t say a word when he does so.

As previously noted, he’s also a natural runner of the football. Sheldon navigates space extremely well, and though the Little Hawks return Dawson Kahl Dawson Kahl 6'2" | 195 lbs | RB/LB Prairie | 2027 State IA in the backfield, the 2027 tailback will more than likely have to split reps with the up-and-coming sophomore.

City High’s reigning defensive player of the year after leading the Little Hawks in tackles (69) as a true freshman, Sheldon is back for year two and could be a household name in eastern Iowa if he keeps up that level of production. A tackling machine that isn’t afraid to take on anyone, Sheldon isn’t a boisterous personality — he lets his play do the talking.

Always around the ball on defense, don’t be surprised to see the rising sophomore more on offense this season, as he took a majority of the first-team reps at running back last week. With Dawson Kahl Dawson Kahl 6'2" | 195 lbs | RB/LB Prairie | 2027 State IA on vacation, Sheldon took advantage of all of his opportunities and showing off fluidity and decisiveness as a natural runner of the football, and won’t be an easy tackle with his strong lower body.

Sheldon’s 69.0 tackles as a freshman in 2024 led a Little Hawk outfit that leaned on its aggressive defense. The success started with Sheldon holding up well from a physical standpoint, not a given at LB on the 5A level. That frame will fill out and add strength in the coming years while he develops his game, hinting at plenty more on the way. Sheldon is a good athlete with lateral quickness needed to play the position. It aids him in run support and staying with receivers in pass coverage. As we see on his ninth-grade highlight video, Sheldon already shows a high aptitude for diagnosing plays, getting off blocks and flowing to the football. His ability to close on the football under control before wrapping up impresses.

Sheldon’s 69.0 tackles as a freshman in 2024 led a Little Hawk outfit that leaned on its aggressive defense. The success started with Sheldon holding up well from a physical standpoint, not a given at LB on the 5A level. That frame will fill out and add strength in the coming years while he develops his game, hinting at plenty more on the way. Sheldon is a good athlete with lateral quickness needed to play the position. It aids him in run support and staying with receivers in pass coverage. As we see on his ninth-grade highlight video, Sheldon already shows a high aptitude for diagnosing plays, getting off blocks and flowing to the football. His ability to close on the football under control before wrapping up impresses.

The list of freshmen that have started at linebacker for Iowa City high is pretty short. Sheldon took advantage of his opportunity, leading the Little Hawks in total tackles (69.0) and ranking second in solo stops (47). He passed the eye test during multiple in-person scouting chances by Prep Redzone. His highlight video also lends evidence to a bright future. Sheldon stands out for his athleticism and lateral quickness. He owns an advanced feel for the game and does a nice job separating from blocks.