Coach Gary Swenson and the Valley Tigers celebrate victory over Waukee
“How ’bout those Tigers!” Coach Gary Swenson and the West Des Moines Valley Tigers celebrate victory over Waukee in Friday’s state quarterfinals.
The Iowa high school football season is almost here, and so is the Des Moines Register’s ranking of 10 freshmen to watch in the state for the 2024 IHSAA football season.
While none of these players have ever played a snap of high school football, some freshmen have already stood out from the crowd. Whether it’s their performances at 7-on-7 tournaments and middle school seasons or simply their sheer size, some athletes have already begun to separate themselves.
Here are 10 freshmen to watch in the 2024 high school football season.
Stream Iowa HS football games on the NFHS Network
1. Carter Barrett
Dowling
It’s hard to tell how Barrett will compete at the high school level, but he’s certainly built to succeed at 6-foot-5, 240 pounds. The two-way rising star competed at some college prospect camps and seemed to be a recruit on the rise based on his performance at Football University’s Freshman All-American Bowl.
2. James Barnett
Iowa City West
If the last name rings a bell, it’s because Barnett is the son of Iowa offensive line coach George Barnett. It looks like the 6-2, 250-pound younger Barnett might follow his dad’s footsteps in the game.
Fans have yet to see what he can really do on the football field, but he is an impressive shot-put thrower, winning the US Middle School National Championship with a throw of 62 feet, 3 inches. Tristan Wirfs’, another famous lineman, had a high school record of 67 feet.
3. Jevyn Severson
Madrid
This is a football list, but Severson is a name to remember in basketball too. The 6-5, 220-pound tight end looked solid in the college camps he attended this summer, bringing good athleticism for his size to the field. With some fine-tuning, Severson could be something special.
4. Taylen Alford
Kuemper Catholic
When the Register saw Alford compete at a 7-on-7 tournament back in April, the 5-10, 140-pound quarterback didn’t play like an eighth grader. He brings a strong and accurate arm to the high school game, and with room to grow, he should be a name to watch for seasons to come.
5. Evan Mitchell
Dowling
Based on this 6-4, 235-pound lineman’s eighth-grade season highlights, Mitchell doesn’t seem like the type of lineman opponents want to match up with. And standing at 6-4 as a rising freshman? Need we say more?
6. Ryan Lucas
Kuemper Catholic
Lucas – at 5-11, 190 pounds – is a growing threat, playing above his age on both sides of the ball. He’s a bruiser on defense and a reliable receiver on offense.
7. Cannon Davis
Durant
This dual-sport – football and baseball – soon-to-be freshman clearly has an arm. He’s already competed in several camp circuits, and it will be interesting to see what happens when he reaches high school. Davis measures 6-feet and 155 pounds.
8. Jayden Stumpff
Cedar Rapids Prairie
Stumpff has solid strength and a strong arm – thanks to playing baseball – and speed that makes other eighth graders look slow – thanks to running track. Already standing over 6 feet, Stumpff has the potential to turn into a solid high school player.
9. Rhyker Wright
Okoboji
Wright seemed to perform well at the college camps he competed at this summer, and his measurables, standing at 5-10, were impressive for an athlete who hasn’t played a snap of high school football. It seems like he plays a little bit of everything, which should only help his development.
10. Jayden Stephens
Waverly-Shell Rock
When the Register saw Stephens play in a 7-on-7 tournament this spring, a few things stood out: his motor, his defensive prowess, his hands and his size. All those things should help him adjust to the high school level of competition.
Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at ahertel@dmreg.com or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.
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Publish date : 2024-08-13 00:00:00
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