A surprise standout last season on behalf of Iowa City West, it wasn’t even guaranteed that Reece Wheeler Reece Wheeler 5'11" | 170 lbs | QB Iowa City West | 2027 State IA would start a game for the Trojans last season. Then he finished the year with the fifth-most touchdowns in 5A. All-in-all, he finished his junior campaign by completing 122-of-201 passes (60.7%) for 2,280 yards, 22 touchdowns and just five interceptions. A dual-threat QB, he also took 77 carries for 213 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.

Wheeler navigates the pocket well, can escape and avoid pass-rushers, keeps his eyes down field and can throw on the run, making him a difficult QB for opposing defenses to prepare for. He’s also got a quick release, that allows him to fire the ball before a defensive back even knows it’s in the air.

With the Trojans losing an uber-talented class, this coming fall will be a true test for the 2027 gunslinger.

Succeeding Jack Wallace as the starter for the Trojans was not an easy feat at all, but Reece Wheeler Reece Wheeler 5'11" | 170 lbs | QB Iowa City West | 2027 State IA did an impressive job at doing just that in 2025. Wheeler completed just over 60% of his passes for 2280 yards, 22 TDs, and 5 INTs while rushing for 213 yards and 4 TDs as he guided the Trojans to a 8-3 record, which was a stronger record for the team than in the last 4 years with Wallace under Center. Wheeler didn’t match the statistical prowess Wallace had from 2024, but he played to his skillset very well, matching as an improvisational dual-threat with a strong arm and great scrambling ability. Wheeler will look to push Iowa City West even further into the playoffs in 2026.

Taking on the difficult task of succeeding QB Jack Wallace after a dominant campaign in 2024, Reece Wheeler Reece Wheeler 5'11" | 170 lbs | QB Iowa City West | 2027 State IA performed admirably well taking the reigns as the starting QB for the Trojans. Wheeler threw for 2280 yards, 22 TDs, and 5 INTs while adding 213 rushing yards and 4 rushing TDs. Wheeler had hit-or-miss moments, but his improvisational skills were impressive, and when they hit, they were spectacular highlight-reel moments that would leave his opponents stunned. Wheeler shows great mobility outside of the pocket and is dangerous on the read-option, and he flashed a solid arm that has solid deep-ball range as well. Wheeler will look to fine-tune his mechanics as he looks to mirror Wallace by putting up a huge senior campaign.

I looked forward to the first in-person scout of Wheeler when the Trojans took on Prairie on Oct. 17, 2025 in Cedar Rapids. I’d heard good things and liked what I saw on film. The junior did not disappointment. While first-year varsity starter miscues still occur, the consistency is coming and the play-making ability is evident. While I might stop short of calling Wheeler a dual-threat quarterback, as he prefers to sling it from the pocket, he certainly can inflict damage on an opponent with his legs. Whether that be on designed runs, scrambling for yards or keeping pass plays alive off of schedule, Wheeler regularly avoids the defense. While he doesn’t have a cannon on his right shoulder, he can make all of the throws. He averaged 24.6 yards on his 10 completions in this contest, with two touchdowns and two picks. He also scored on the ground. Wheeler is a prospect worth monitoring moving forward, one with a chance to impress on the camp circuit this spring and summer.

Transferring in to Iowa City West this offseason after two years at Liberty, Reece Wheeler Reece Wheeler 5'11" | 170 lbs | QB Iowa City West | 2027 State IA has stepped into the starting quarterback position for the Trojans after the departure of Jack Wallace, who is now at St. Thomas.

He’s not just starting now — Wheeler is thriving.

Ranked in the top five in yards through the air so far this season, Wheeler has gone from completing just 1-of-4 passes for seven yards in 2024, to completing 59-of-101 passes for 1,299 yards, 12 touchdowns and just one interception for West. Through six games, he and senior receiver Ethan Headings Ethan Headings 6'2" | 190 lbs | ATH Iowa City West | 2026 State IA have built quite the connection, as Headings is now up to 31 catches for 913 yards and ten scores.

More of the passing QB of the two, Reece Wheeler Reece Wheeler 5'11" | 170 lbs | QB Iowa City West | 2027 State IA stepped in and threw some gorgeous passes for the Trojan offense. West won’t air it out like they did in the Jack Wallace era, as the four-year starter has now left for St. Thomas, but Wheeler showed some encouraging signs of the Trojan’s passing attack. A QB that throws a catchable ball, Wheeler puts good air on it and doesn’t throw too hard. Once he establishes more chemistry with receivers like Headings and Manson, the West passing attack will be greatly improved.

Another junior in the quarterback competition, Wheeler throws a tight ball and led several drives for touchdowns in the 11-on-11 portion of practice this week. More of a precision passer that can make the short and intermediate throws to carve up a defense, Wheeler is in a good spot to lead the Trojan offense this fall, if given the opportunity.

Still working on the intricacies and timing involved in the position, Wheeler still needs to work on when to tuck the ball and run, when to get ride of it to avoid a sack and his downfield passing, but as he gets a better grasp of what the position entails, he can trust weapons like Janis, Headings, Julian Manson Julian Manson 6'4" | 175 lbs | LB Iowa City West | 2026 State IA and others to make plays with the ball in their hands.

Wheeler appears to have transferred from Iowa City Liberty to Iowa City West, according to his social media. That makes sense with the Trojans graduating their starting quarterback, and the Lightning bringing back its QB1. Wheeler threw four passes for the Liberty varsity in 2024, spending the bulk of his time slinging it with the sophomore team. His sophomore video highlights reveal a signal caller with intriguing skills. With an easy, smooth throwing motion, Wheeler can stretch the field. His ability to chuck it accurately on the move and extend plays with his legs are traits coveted by coaches. Wheeler will get good coaching at West and seems like a breakout candidate if he wins the starting job.