I considered several versatile, high-upside Prairie defenders for this evaluation spot and will write about others in due time. I chose Koppes in part for his eye-opening performance during a 32-11 win at Iowa City West on Friday and also because of the puzzling lack of attention he’s receiving on the recruiting trail relative to his current abilities and sizable ceiling. It’s a projectable frame with speed and athleticism. There’s positional flexibility with the security of knowing a college will receive a special teams’ contributor. He’s going to make a program on the next level look smart for believing and investing in him. The talent was on display again during my most recent in-person scouting opportunity. Koppes was all over the field in registering 11.5 tackles, 10 of which were solo stops. He’s added 2.0 tackles for loss.

Koppes entered his senior season of 2026 determined to show colleges he was worthy of more attention. Mission accomplished. The Cedar Rapids Prairie defender had eighteen solo stops among his 23.0 total tackles. He had 7.5 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. Koppes has grown physically since last season and also developed his technique. It’s what you’d want to see as a scout on the next level. At his size, he could develop into a linebacker, safety or hybrid in college. The senior runs well sideline to sideline and in a straight line. He sticks with receivers in coverage and comes down quickly against the run. Koppes’ frame has room to fill out and add strength. He visited Augustana and Morningside in August, and Graceland invited him to campus this week. His film shows he’s deserving of more attention.

A versatile safety/linebacker hybrid, Wesley Koppes Wesley Koppes 6'0" | 210 lbs | LB/LS Prairie | 2027 State IA can do things that both positions require. His 5-foot-11 and 190-pound frame allows for the positional versatility, as well.

Rangy in coverage, Koppes can drop back and survey the middle of the field, simply watching the quarterbacks’ eyes and reacting, or, he can move to the outside and serve as a slot corner. He had an interception doing both this season, looking like a wide receiver by laying out and snagging a pick against Bettendorf. His ability to close in space and make tackles looks like that of a strong safety, too.

Dropping down into the box as an additional backer at times, Koppes’ vision allows him to diagnose where running plays are going, and his size makes him able to stick ball-carriers and stop them in their tracks.

Koppes played a role on defense and special team for the Prairie Hawks as a sophomore in 2024. He’s returned with those lessons leading to more production this fall. Koppes has 24.0 tackles, 22 of which are solo stops. He also has contributed 4.0 tackles for loss and a pair of interceptions. Koppes’ video highlights from this season reveal a student-athlete capable of sticking at linebacker on the next level, but there could be college programs viewing him as a safety or hybrid. He’s athletic and fast enough to run in coverage and possesses the physicality to shine in run support. He also offers potential for key production on special teams.