Nate’s Notepad from the PRZ Iowa Showcase: RB & WR
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BETTENDORF, IA- We take a look at the top running backs and wide receivers from Saturday’s Prep Redzone Iowa Showcase! Running Backs and Wide Receivers Darnell Butler Darnell Butler 5'7" | 165 lbs | RB North Scott | 2022 IA ,…
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Continue ReadingBETTENDORF, IA- We take a look at the top running backs and wide receivers from Saturday’s Prep Redzone Iowa Showcase!
Running Backs and Wide Receivers
Darnell Butler Darnell Butler 5'7" | 165 lbs | RB North Scott | 2022 IA , RB, North Scott (IA) (2022)
Twitter: @darnellb03
Butler was one of the best running backs that came out to Bettendorf on Saturday and ran extremely quick in the shuttle drill. Butler has a strong burst had has really effective cuts in the inside running lanes. With all his speed, Butler could easily break to the outside, but he chooses to get the tougher yards inside. Butler has excellent stamina that can wear down defenses with five yards here and five yards there. He is a fighter on every play, and the Division II level is starting to take notice as this young man is loaded with potential even as a 5’7 165 pound running back—a state champion in 2020.
Anthony Isley Anthony Isley 6'1" | 165 lbs | RB Mediaoplis | 2023 State IA , WR, Mediapolis (IA) (2023)
Twitter: @Anthony20793046
Isley was another name that made the ole notepad from Saturday afternoon in Bettendorf. When I watched Isley’s film, he definitely fits the athlete category when it comes to his position, as he can do a little bit of everything on film. He has a bounce at tailback that can get to the outside and is a prospect that has the foot speed to take it the distance. He will need more film to impress the likes of more college coaches as he’s kind of limited in that department besides some tape from the start of the season. Isley is the second prospect from Mediapolis to catch my eye from the Prep Redzone Iowa Showcase.
Brandon Wraalstad Brandon Wraalstad 6'4" | 245 lbs | OL Oconomowoc | 2023 State WI , WR, Oconomowoc (WI) (2023)
Twitter: @BWraalstad
When it came down to frame at the WR position in Iowa, there was no
better-built prospect in my eyes than Brandon Wraalstad Brandon Wraalstad 6'4" | 245 lbs | OL Oconomowoc | 2023 State WI of Oconomowoc. Wraalstad shows off a long reach and a bully mentality when the ball is in his hands as it takes multiple defenders to take this young man down on the turf. Where the Raccoons line him up best is on-screen plays where he can use all of his strength to shed off defenders and accumulate plenty of yards after contact. Wraalstad is another that could benefit from more sophomore film as I loved what I saw from his freshman tape. Wraalstad is one that is a WR/TE combo and, based on what I see now, could be a very good pass-catching tight end at the next level.
Marieon Anderson, WR, Rock Island (IL) (2022)
Anderson was on a few notepads this Saturday, including mine. This young man is a long WR prospect at 6’4 and had really impressive footwork in drills. He has a big burst and can adjust on his routes with that footwork I mentioned. Talk about length, too; he has extremely long arms that he uses to his advantage on both sides of the football. As a DB, he has a strong vision and can turn on a dime to make a play in the secondary. Anderson, at the moment, seems to be pushing to be a basketball prospect, but man, would he be a fun WR to watch at the next level with all that length, turning ability, and speed. Excited to see more of his film in the coming years.
@MarieonA12 has been a standout WR here in Bettendorf and shows great speed and an ability to adjust and get under the football. The 2022 Rock Island 6’4 product is a fun one to watch as well. @PrepRedzoneIA pic.twitter.com/vvM3kUYHGi
— PrepRedzone Oliver (@OJW_Scouting) May 1, 2021
Nathan Vagedes Nathan Vagedes 5'11" | 165 lbs | WR Stoughton | 2022 State WI , WR, Stoughton (WI) (2022)
Twitter: @nathan_vagedes
Growing up near the Stoughton area, I know how they groom the hog mollies on the offensive line, so I was excited to see Vagedes shows there is even more to the Vikings offense in the receiving core. Vagedes is an excellent kick returner for the Vikings that can move really well in high-traffic areas. He has an effective twist in his hips at WR to create separation easily. As far as Vagedes burst, you can really see it when he sees a lane as he gets excited and hammers the gas to his full ability. I know I can speak for my fellow Wisconsin scouts at the event that they’ll be excited to see Vagedes grow into a more explosive prospect over his next two years of high school football.
Walker Tart Walker Tart 6'2" | 190 lbs | WR Dubuque Senior | 2023 State IA , WR, Dubuque Senior (IA) (2023)
Twitter: @WalkerTart
Tart is the most known prospect from this list to me as I have his potential now for the third time, including Saturday. He is a super flexible WR prospect out of Dubuque Senior that showed an excellent bend in his legs on his routes from Saturday. Tart is super versatile with his routes as he can stop at the first down markers, hit the deep route, or stop on the short route and take it for a big gain. Tart also has excellent character and carries a 3.6 GPA at Dubuque Senior, which was the most well-represented high school program at our Prep Redzone Iowa Showcase.
Walker Tart of Dubuque Sr. has very active feet and gets from point a to point b extremely quick. Next level player for sure.@PrepRedzoneIA @WalkerTart pic.twitter.com/MPWe32e5cb
— Nate Wahl (@NWahlScouting) May 1, 2021