15 Iowans to watch in 2009
Although Signing Day 2008 has just arrived, that doesn't mean that
colleges across the Midwest are not looking ahead to the Class of 2009. Three of
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these talented juniors already hold scholarship offers with many more to come
before all is said and done. In this article, IowaPreps.com takes a quick look
at fifteen players to keep an eye on in the junior class. This is not our top
fifteen but includes some very talented players who could end up playing college
at a high level in fall of 2009.
David Barrent - West Des Moines Valley - Lineman
At 6-foot-7, 275 pounds, Barrent has the size that college coaches will be
looking for at the next level. He stepped into the starting lineup this
past fall for the Tigers and ended up making an impact. As he gets older
and his body develops, expect big things out of Barrent at the next level.
College coaches will be keeping a close eye on him.
Mark Blessington - Southern Cal - Lineman
This younger Blessington recently had a brother go through the recruiting
process and he ended up at South Dakota. Like Barrent, this Blessington
has the size that college coaches will be seeking. He has been named All
State the last two seasons and helped his high school to the UNI-Dome in each.
The tradition at Southern Cal is back in large part because of this monster
lineman.
Conor Boffeli - West Des Moines Valley - Tight End
While he did not put up jaw dropping numbers, Boffeli did what he was asked to
do. That was block and make catches when the ball was thrown his way.
Boffeli has been at the varsity level the last two years and has seen his team
make it to the UNI-Dome in both. Look for his role to expand this year.
Boffeli also is a talented basketball player for Valley.
Jordan Cotton - Mt. Pleasant - Wide Receiver
With a father who played for Iowa and a current offer from the Hawkeyes, Cotton
has received a lot of publicity on the Rivals.com network. This All Stater
had a great junior year where he made the switch to running back. One
thing that may hold Cotton back from receiving more offers is that his future
position is wide receiver. With his junior year tape being from the
running back position, other schools will want to see him in camp. But
will Cotton wait until the summer to make a college decision?
Off the Record Video Highlights of Cotton
Zach Cutkomp - West Des Moines Valley - Running Back
Valley has started to become known as a school that produces talented running
backs and that continues this year with Cutkomp. This junior did not know
what to expect this year but an injury to Joe Johnson (Who is headed to Northern
Iowa) pushed Cutkomp into the starting role. He made the most of it and
was named All State for the Tigers.
Keenan Davis - Cedar Rapids Washington - Wide Receiver
As the most discussed prep player for the Class of 2009, chances are high that
if you are reading this article you have heard of Davis. This junior holds
early scholarship offers from Iowa and Nebraska. With a recent ranking as
the 61st best player according to Rivals.com, schools from all throughout the
country have started taking notice of him. After seeing former Washington
receiver Adrian Arrington head to Michigan, some Iowa fans feel he is a must get
in this class.
Rivals.com Video Highlights of Davis
Dallas Hendrikson - St. Ansgar - Lineman
Hendrikson is a small school lineman who has done a lot of good things for his
team. He has been a force while being named All State as a sophomore and a
junior. Hendrikson had plans to attend college camps last summer but
injuries limited what he was able to do. He will need this summer to prove
what level he can play at in college.
Off the Record Video Highlights of Hendrikson
Jake Knott - Waukee - Linebacker
On an athletic Waukee team, Knott stood out on both sides of the ball but his
future is on defense. This ball hawking linebacker made a lot of plays for
a team that made the playoffs in only their second year at the Class 4A level.
Knott has already made visits to the University of Iowa and will be headed to
Iowa State University in the future. Also a sought after baseball
prospect.
Rivals.com Video Highlights of Knott
Josh Lenz - Dubuque Hempstead - Defensive Back
Another two sport star, Lenz first made an impact at Hempstead while on the
basketball court as a freshman. His big game experience helped him have a
great sophomore year on the football field. He does just about everything
for the Mustangs and will be hoping to lead them to the playoffs this fall.
The versatility that Lenz has is something that will help him at the next level.
Off the Record Video Highlights of Lenz
Cody Matthewson - Madrid - Linebacker
While the majority of prospects on this list play at bigger schools, Matthewson
is trying to battle the perception of small school athletes. He was named
All State this past fall while helping the Tigers to the Class A semifinals. Matthewson
also plays running back but his speed and strength may be best suited for
linebacker at the college level.
Off the Record Video Highlights of Matthewson
Eric May - Dubuque Wahlert - Athlete
May could challenge for the title of the best athlete in the Class of 2009.
The ability that he showed on the football field opened the eyes of a lot of
college coaches, especially Iowa. But May also has some major potential on
the basketball court and is among the elite players there. The question
that he must eventually answer is which sport does he want to play at the
college level?
Off the Record Video Highlights of May (Basketball)
Mitch Overstreet - Bettendorf - Tight End
It should come as no surprise that a Bettendorf player makes this list.
The Bulldogs took home the Class 4A State title last year and a big part of it
was Overstreet. This junior has some major blocking skills and has been
said to have the best hands of a tight end that former head coach Randy Scott
has ever coached. Those are big words for such a legendary figure.
Off the Record Video Highlights of Overstreet
Brett Van Sloten - Decorah - Lineman
Van Sloten has great bloodlines with a father who played football at Iowa State
University. Despite that tie to the Cyclones, this junior has mentioned
that he does not plan to let that factor into his final decision. Van
Sloten has been keeping busy this winter on the basketball court. He
recently finished a game with 40 points and 29 rebounds. Considering his
future is on the football field, those numbers are scary.
Off the Record Video Highlights of Van Sloten
Brandon Wegher - Sioux City Heelan - Running Back
As one of only three players in this class to hold football scholarship
offers, there is little doubt that Wegher has what it takes to play at the
college level. Iowa State, San Diego State, and South Dakota State have
all extended scholarships but there easily could be more on the way.
Wegher has been invited to Junior Days at Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Penn State,
and many others as well.
Rivals.com Video Highlights of Wegher
Jeff Woody - Southeast Polk - Running Back
Southeast Polk was expected to struggle this fall but Woody stepped up in a
major way. His performance helped the Rams back into the postseason and
ended with him being named first team All State. Woody is a player who has
been working this off-season on his speed. He wants to prove he has what
it takes to play running back at the next level.
Off the Record Video Highlights of Woody
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