Iowa's C/O 2024 Future Household Names Part 2

Maybe you already know these young men; pretty soon everyone will. Contributing to your varsity team, or definitively standing out on younger levels, upon entering high school to any degree is not a common occurrence. These athletes got the job done and laid a very strong foundation to build on the next few years. They have the physical tools, instincts, and football IQ. Look for them to be major names in recruiting by the time they are upperclassmen. Preston Ries, Monticello, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Eu2wP">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/PrestonRies21">Twitter</a> ATH, 6’2, 195 Ries is flat out impressive as a two-way Varsity player taking snaps at Outside Linebacker and Running Back. He has the size, athleticism, and knowledge to not only hang with the older players, but excel. As a Linebacker Ries is fast and disciplined to the point of attack. He can squeeze down flat from the backside or take on blocks if action comes his way to set an edge. Ries shocks and sheds very well and shows no hesitation getting to the ball. Ries exhibits a mature understanding of the game when he does things like breaking down and feathering the Quarterback when defending Read. He is just as good on offense; he is elusive, fast, and tough carrying the ball. He reads blocks and sees the field well. Expect Ries to have a huge role the next few years. [player_tooltip player_id="118822" first="Trenton" last="Smith"], Ames, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EXy1k">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/trentonsmith_11">Twitter</a> QB, 6’2, 205 Smith already looks the part of a highly sought after recruit and that is surely to be the case soon. He has the frame and build and, already, shows flashes of elite play. Smith is very mobile and agile as he scans the field to find open targets. He senses pressure well and does an excellent job of extending plays with his feet. In such instances he demonstrates that he can make good decisions. Smith is certainly a dual threat and benefits from play or flash action. Pulling the defense up from coverage at the snap makes diagnosing coverage and getting targets open more manageable. He throws an accurate ball to each level of the field and demonstrates impressive arm strength. Smith possesses a lot of characteristics of the modern Quarterback. Dayton Harrell, Sioux City North, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13545596/Dayton-Harrell/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/daytonharrell28">Twitter</a> ATH, 5’9, 165 Harrell excels in each phase of the game and it would be hard to see him not doing just that as he hits the Varsity field. He is a playmaker who boasts superior athleticism; there is an abundant amount of natural ability in the form of speed and instincts. As a returner, if Harrell gets any daylight, he is gone. He is that much faster than his counterparts on the field. The same can be said when taking snaps at Running Back or Wide Receiver. Harrell can make all the moves from the backfield to get to space or in routes to get open; it isn’t just a matter of being faster than everyone else. That speed comes in handy on defense too. Harrell is a ballhawk who uses his speed to be rangy and aggressive. Harrell is also a big hitter that seeks contact. Blake Jager, E-B-F, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EPBG3">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/blake_jager">Twitter</a> RB, 5’8, 185 Jager is a powerhouse between the tackles in his team’s run heavy formations. There are two plays, especially, that allow him to showcase his abilities: Toss out of Double Wing and Power out of House with a really tight bunch. On each he is able to get the ball and patiently work off of blocks. Jager stays low and square as he hits the line of scrimmage and is very tough to track. He has outstanding vision between the tackles; Jager knows where blocks will set up and where space will open. He is shifty in confined space and makes tacklers miss from the line of scrimmage to the second level. Jager is most impressive on contact. He fights hard for extra yards and keeps piles moving. There is a high level of strength and balance present in the way he runs. Tod Geiger, Montezuma, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14761046/Tod-Geiger/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/geiger_tod">Twitter</a> DL, 6’1, 250 Geiger can reset the line of scrimmage and take away a lot of space. It is impressive how well he moves at his size for his age. He has an explosive first step and is quick laterally. Geiger is also very physical at the point of attack. He gets his hands out in front of him to keep blockers at bay and controls the trenches showing a mature understanding of the position. A lot of young defensive linemen have a motor, but are out of control. Geiger plays with a motor, but he is also disciplined in his gap. He keeps his hands and feet very active as he works to separate and get uncovered. His shock and shed is prompt and he proves to be a big asset against the run. Geiger also shows value when pass rushing with a well-leveraged bull rush that is vertical and violent.