Iowa high school football: The Register's top 30 senior prospects
Matthew BainEntering the 2019 Iowa high school football season, these are the Register's top 30 prospects in the 2020 class. This list is based on staff observations, as well as consultation with recruiting contacts throughout the year.
1. Blaise Gunnerson, DE, Kuemper Catholic
Nebraska recruit. Violent pass-rusher whose effort and power are considerable. Healthier than ever after extra bone growth removed from hip.
2. Josh Volk, OG, Cedar Rapids Xavier
Iowa recruit. Nimble offensive lineman with a muscular, nearly 300-pound frame. Excellent lead blocker who does well in the second level.
3. Logan Jones, DL, Lewis Central
Iowa recruit. Versatile, plug-and-play defensive lineman with a motor reminiscent of current Hawkeye Tyler Linderbaum.
4. Hunter Dekkers, QB, West Sioux
Iowa State recruit. Built like a linebacker, runs like a running back, throws like an Elite 11 Finals participant — which he was. Dekkers can do it all behind center.
5. Gavin Williams, RB, Dowling Catholic
Iowa recruit. Williams combines good size and speed to form a north-south runner with considerable momentum. A physical runner who will move the chains.
6. Brady Petersen, OL, Ankeny Centennial
Iowa State recruit. A 270-pound lineman who can also dunk a basketball. Highly athletic with quick feet and solid fundamentals.
7. Tyler Miller, OT, Greene County
Iowa State recruit. With a 6-9 frame, Miller has a whole lot of potential. Moves well for his size, too — also plays defensive end in high school.
8. Ethan Hurkett, LB, Cedar Rapids Xavier
Iowa recruit. A fundamentally sound middle linebacker who won't win many track meets, but he will make the plays. Could project as defensive end, too.
9. Jackson Stoefen, OT, North Scott
Kansas recruit. Well-built, agile offensive lineman who gets off the ball well. Good feet, good balance.
10. Cole Pedersen, LB/ATH, Central Decatur
Iowa State recruit. A 6-3 prospect who does a bit of everything while dominating small-school Iowa football.
11. Jace Andregg, WR/LB, Solon
Northern Iowa recruit. Has proven himself as one of this country's truly elite athletes. Hasn't had as much production on the field to match that rare athleticism. That could change this fall.
12. Ryan Boles, OL, Dowling Catholic
Can play either tackle or guard. Solid in both run blocking and pass protection. Holds offers from UNI, Ball State, Western Illinois and South Dakota.
13. Charlie Nank, OT, Dowling Catholic
Miami of Ohio recruit. Good size — 6-4, 285 — and mobility. Controls his man with good hands and leverage. A solid piece for an FBS offensive line.
14. Cam Miller, QB, Solon
North Dakota State recruit. Good size at 6-2, 200. Has a quick throwing motion and throws well on the move. Has a pitcher's arm and good touch on the deep ball.
15. Caleb Siech, OL, Waverly-Shell Rock
Miami of Ohio recruit. Really big kid at 6-5 and 305. Will need to smooth out the rough edges, but good mobility for his size and a whole lot of power.
16. Cade Moore, DL, Centerville
UNI recruit. Big, 6-6, 235-pound frame that's a blank canvas to work with. Plays best against the run. Also plays offensive line and long-snapper.
17. Nolan Jacobs, DL, Cedar Rapids Kennedy
North Dakota State recruit. Not a humongous frame, but a high-motor workhorse who's deceptively fast and disrupts a lot of plays between the tackles.
18. Harrison Waylee, RB, Urbandale
Northern Illinois recruit. Able to maintain good speed through traffic. Changes direction well. Can catch out of the backfield and is stronger than he looks at 5-9, 170.
19. Jackson Waring, QB/ATH, Des Moines Christian
Athletic, dual-threat quarterback who will add weight in college. Could also project on defense. Holds preferred walk-on offer from Iowa, plus several FCS offers.
20. Tysen Kershaw, WR, Fort Dodge
South Dakota recruit. Not a burner, but good size — 6-3, 185 — plus sticky hands and strong ball skills. Should be a good red-zone threat in FCS.
21. A.J. Coons, WR, Solon
South Dakota State recruit. Makes a lot of plays in high school, mostly as a deep-ball threat. Has nice speed in a 6-4, 195-pound frame.
22. Ben Belken, DE, North Scott
Northern Iowa recruit. At 195 pounds, he will need time in a college weight room. But he's fast and disruptive. Will try to keep that speed while adding bulk.
23. Creighton Mitchell, RB, West Des Moines Valley
North Dakota recruit. Versatile all-purpose back who can also return punts and kicks. Checks in at 5-8 and 170.
24. Joe Lilienthal, OL, Durant
South Dakota recruit. Will need some refinement, but a good athlete and huge frame — 6-7, 335. Colleges can work with his effort and size.
25. Aaron Blom, K, Oskaloosa
Iowa recruit. This state's best kicker and the No. 16 kicker in the country, according to Kohl's Kicking. Regularly makes 60-plus-yard field goals in practice.
26. Jack Wilty, OL, Southeast Polk
Northern Illinois recruit. Agility could improve, but good build at 6-5 and 290. Maintains his blocks well, too.
27. Noah Abbott, TE, Bettendorf
More of an intriguing athlete than a refined tight end right now. A 6-5, 215-pounder who can catch and run. Southern Illinois, Indiana State and Western Illinois have offered.
28. Hayden Amos, OL/DL, Carlisle
UNI recruit. Good athlete with solid frame — 6-4, 260 — who can play both ways. Colleges can definitely work with that.
29. Jaylen DeVries, QB, Clear Lake
Southern Illinois recruit. Smart high school quarterback who threw zero interceptions as a junior. Pass first, but can scramble.
30. Kobe Clayborne, DL, Bishop Heelan
Undersized at 6 feet and 260, but motor is outstanding. Army has offered. Has a preferred walk-on offer from Stanford, which has also offered him in wrestling.
Matthew Bain covers recruiting, Iowa/Iowa State athletics and Drake basketball for the Des Moines Register and USA TODAY Network. Contact him at mbain@dmreg.com and follow him on Twitter @MatthewBain_.
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