Ranking the top 20 football prospects in Iowa's 2019 recruiting class
Matthew BainIowa's crop of 2019 football talent was one of this state's better recruiting classes in recent memory.
It features national-level recruits at the top. It boasts a deep pool of Group of Five, FCS and Division II prospects, too.
With the early signing period starting Wednesday, the Register ranked the top 20 football prospects in Iowa's 2019 recruiting class. Based on observations and conversations with coaches and recruiting contacts throughout the year, here's what we came up with:
1. Max Duggan, Lewis Central
QB: 6-foot-2, 190 pounds
College choice: TCU
Entering this high school season, Duggan was considered one of the country's best quarterback prospects, based mostly on performances at elite camps. He proved evaluators right with his senior-year performance. Duggan racked up 3,353 total yards and 49 touchdowns while leading Lewis Central to its first UNI-Dome berth.
2. Ezra Miller, Ridge View
OL: 6-7, 315
College choice: Iowa
Miller might just be the most nimble 315-pounder you'll see, and he was a tremendous lead blocker at the second level for Ridge View. He consistently dominated high school competition, and he backed up his recruiting stock with strong performances at camps throughout the country.
3. Tyler Endres, Norwalk
OL: 6-6, 310
College choice: Iowa
Yes, Endres is quick, powerful and smart bulldozer on the football field. But his 15.1 points and 8.8 rebounds per game for Norwalk's basketball team this year show how he's a light-footed athlete contained in a Power Five lineman's body.
4. Jack Campbell, Cedar Falls
LB: 6-5, 215
College choice: Iowa
Campbell seemed to be at the heart of every big Cedar Falls defensive play this year. That's not luck or coincidence. It's speed, vision, power and anticipation combining to form a linebacker with major upside — especially when you consider his 6-5 frame can support more weight. He's the best tackler in the state.
5. Mosai Newsom, Waverly Shell-Rock
DE: 6-4, 250
College choice: Nebraska
When Newsom was on his game, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more disruptive Iowa lineman. Also an excellent basketball player, he has a wide frame and can pass rush off the edge. But he's better at going through his man with power and technique, so he's a good fit for Nebraska's 3-4 defense.
6. Darien Porter, Bettendorf
WR: 6-4, 170
College choice: Iowa State
Porter's numbers weren't eye-popping, but he's not a high-level prospect based on production. It's based on his considerable potential. He's a 6-4 track star who could run the 200-meter competitively in college. Combine that with a yawning wing span and good ball skills, and you've got a high-level Power Five prospect.
7. Jake Remsburg, West Des Moines Valley
OL: 6-6, 300
College choice: Iowa State
Remsburg is a low-risk, fundamentally sound lineman with leadership qualities. He keeps his hips low and remains balanced and comfortable against the quickest of defensive ends.
8. Noah Fenske, New Hampton
OL: 6-5, 255
College choice: Iowa
Iowa became Fenske's first and only Power Five offer last February after seeing him in person at a junior day. He's certainly a well-built athlete who passes the eye test. A two-way high school lineman, Fenske had 22.5 tackles this season as a defensive tackle.
9. Chris Reames, Van Meter
DE: 6-7, 220
College choice: Iowa
Reames is a project, but there's great deal of potential. He looks more like a power forward than a defensive end right now. Iowa is hoping Chris Doyle can work his magic and turn Reames into an end in the mold of Anthony Nelson — who was also 6-7 and 220 in high school and also picked up a late Iowa offer.
10. Logan Wolf, Cedar Falls
WR: 6-4, 185
College choice: Northern Iowa, although Iowa just offered
Wolf had long been a top-level Midwest FCS prospect before Iowa extended an offer last week. The 6-4 prospect is one of the state's very best athletes. In fact, if he sticks with UNI, the Panthers' basketball team will take him as a preferred walk-on. Wolf has spent his springs and summers on the AAU basketball circuit, so he hasn't had as much opportunity to get on the football recruiting map. Beyond his obvious length, his speed and balance stand out, as he's quite difficult to tackle.
11. Coal Flansburg, Solon
LB/FB: 6-1, 235
College choice: Iowa State
Flansburg is just a football dude, plain and simple. Built like a rock, but deceptively quick and crafty. Like most Solon products, Flansburg is a hard-nosed kid who likes hitting people and is fundamentally sound. He can play multiple positions on offense and defense, and feels like a guy who can contribute early on special teams.
12. Cole Mabry, Iowa City West
LB/SS: 6-2, 195
College choice: Army
Mabry is a versatile defender who played just about every position — on offense and defense — for the past two seasons at Iowa City West. It'll be interesting to see where Army plays him. He could be a strong safety or outside linebacker at the next level.
13. Nicholas Kubitz, Dubuque Senior
LB: 6-3, 200
College choice: North Dakota State
An athlete with a quick first step, Kubitz flew all over the field for Dubuque Senior this year en route to 52 tackles — although his best quality right now might be his pass coverage. He picked the Bison over a handful of FCS schools, including UNI and South Dakota State.
14. Nick DeJong, Pella
DL/OL: 6-6, 255
College choice: Iowa (preferred walk-on)
A powerful plug-and-play lineman, DeJong starred as a defensive end at Pella but he'll play offensive line at Iowa. One of the better preferred walk-ons you'll find, DeJong held offers from Air Force, Northern Iowa, NDSU, SDSU and Stephen F. Austin, among others.
15. Matt Barnett, Alburnett
LB: 6-3, 200
College choice: South Dakota State
It feels like there wasn't a position Barnett didn't play for Alburnett. Receiver, running back, safety, cornerback, linebacker. He's just a smart, tough football player with enough athleticism to make him a threat all over the field.
16. Cameron Baker, Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson
LB/ATH: 6-2, 225
College choice: Northern Iowa
An All-Iowa Elite Team running back as a junior, Baker will likely play linebacker or fullback in college. He isn't the quickest prospect, but he's a powerful and determined runner and tackler.
17. Caleb Lomica, North Polk
LB: 6-4, 205
College choice: Northern Iowa
Another rock-solid athlete, Lomica picked UNI over offers from South Dakota and Central Michigan. He's an intriguing prospect because, while he does have good instincts as a linebacker, he also played defensive end and has a frame that could support the weight needed to play that position in college.
18. Jared Penning, Clear Lake
OL: 6-7, 330
College choice: Northern Iowa
Size obviously stands out with Penning. He overwhelmed most linemen at the high school level. But he showed enough agility — particularly when he'd come off his spot at right guard and be a lead blocker through the left side — to draw offers from UNI, Eastern Michigan, South Dakota, NDSU, SDSU and North Dakota.
19. Anthony Coleman, Johnston
DB: 5-9, 175
College choice: North Dakota State
On paper, you'd think Coleman is too small to play cornerback at the FCS level. But then you watch this kid play in person, and all doubt is gone. His acceleration and speed are noticeable, and they're topped by his defensive instincts and ability to read the quarterback.
20. Carter Bell, Bettendorf
WR/ATH: 5-10, 170
College choice: South Dakota
Bell was a standout quarterback for Bettendorf, but he'll likely play receiver at South Dakota. He didn't get to showcase his pass-catching skills in high school, but he did well in limited opportunities at college camps last offseason. If his hands and route-running can catch up to his speed and balance, he'll be a valuable slot target.
Matthew Bain covers college football and basketball recruiting for the Des Moines Register. He also helps out with Iowa and Iowa State football and basketball coverage for HawkCentral and Cyclone Insider. Contact him at mbain@dmreg.com and follow him on Twitter @MatthewBain_.