ALL-USA IOWA

Iowa high school football: Meet the 2020 All-Iowa Football teams

Cody Goodwin
Des Moines Register

The Des Moines Register is proud to announce its 2020 All-Iowa Football Teams, honoring the best players from the 2020 season in all six classes — Class 4A all the way down to 8-Player.

The Elite Team features the very best players from this past season, and four of the six classes are represented. The best players from each class were also honored, as well as a list of honorable mention selections.

The team was picked based on in-season production, Register and Iowa City Press-Citizen staff observations and consultations with more than 200 Iowa high school coaches. All stats listed were supplied by Varsity Bound.

Elite Team Picks

OFFENSE

Quarterback Jase Bauer helped engineer a state championship run for Ankeny.

Jase Bauer

Quarterback | Ankeny | Senior

Two-time All-Iowa selection, and a first-time Elite pick. Class 4A leader in passing touchdowns (28), total touchdowns (38), passing yards (2,041) and total yards (2,893). Responsible for 66% of Ankeny's total offense in both state semifinals and finals, leading the Hawks to their first state championship since 2012.

Ankeny's Arland Bruce IV played only a portion of the season due to an eligibility fight with the IHSAA. But when he emerged as eligible, the future Iowa Hawkeye was dominant from the start.

Arland Bruce IV

Running Back | Ankeny | Senior

Amassed 1,111 total yards of offense and 13 touchdowns in just seven games for the already-explosive Ankeny offense. Rushed for 660 and eight scores on just 81 carries, good for 8.1 yards per attempt. Averaged 10 total yards per touch offensively. Iowa commit.

Wyatt Hunter, RB, Grinnell

Wyatt Hunter

Running Back | Grinnell | Senior

Two-time All-Iowa selection, and a first-time Elite pick. State leader with 2,301 rushing yards, at 9.1 yards per attempt, in 11 games. One of seven players statewide to score 30-plus rushing touchdowns. Also had 7 catches for 148 yards and three touchdowns.

Ankeny's Brody Brecht repeats as an All-Iowa Elite Team selection.

Brody Brecht

Wide Receiver | Ankeny | Senior

Repeat Elite selection. Recorded 42 receptions for 599 yards — that's 14.3 yards per catch — and 12 touchdowns. Also had two interceptions, a punt-return touchdown and a rushing score. Iowa commit.

Lewis Central's Thomas Fidone is considered the nation's top tight-end recruit in the country.

Thomas Fidone

Wide Receiver | Lewis Central | Senior

Technically a tight end, the best in the country, but a talented pass-catcher all the same. Hauled in 43 receptions for 845 yards and 10 touchdowns in 10 games. His 19.7 yards-per-catch average ranked fourth among all players with at least 30 catches this season. Nebraska commit.

Do-it-all threat Cooper Dejean returns as an All-Iowa Elite team selection.

Cooper DeJean

Utility | OABCIG | Senior

Repeat Elite selection. Produced 62 total touchdowns and 4,964 total yards of offense for the Class 1A state champs. Accounted for a staggering 9,520 total yards of offense and 132 total touchdowns over the last two years, during which OABCIG won 25 straight games and two-straight state titles. Iowa commit.

Jim Bonifas, OL, Dubuque Senior

Jim Bonifas

Offensive Line | Dubuque Senior | Senior

Blocked for an offense that averaged 308.5 yards per game. Committed to Iowa State last February, then turned in an even stronger senior campaign.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy's Connor Colby, right, is a repeat All-Iowa Elite team selection.

Connor Colby

Offensive Line | Cedar Rapids Kennedy | Senior

Repeat Elite selection. Blocked for a team that reached the state quarterfinals and averaged 348.6 yards per game and totaled 2,235 rushing yards, fifth-most in Class 4A. Iowa commit.

Mount Pleasant High School's Henry Lutovsky (59) will play at Nebraska next season.

Henry Lutovsky

Offensive Line | Mount Pleasant | Senior

Two-time All-Iowa selection, and a first-time Elite pick. Blocked for a team that lost to the eventual Class 3A state champs in the second round of the playoffs and for an offense that averaged 352.6 yards per game. Nebraska commit.

Tyler Maro, OL, Davenport Assumption

Tyler Maro

Offensive Line | Davenport Assumption | Senior

Blocked for an offense that amassed more than 3,000 total yards of offense, including 2,279 total rushing yards. Led the Knights to the third round of the Class 3A playoffs. Holds as many as 35 Division I offers.

Southeast Polk's Kadyn Proctor was a linchpin of the state's runner-up in Class 4A.

Kadyn Proctor

Offensive Line | Southeast Polk | Sophomore

A standout on one of the best offensive lines in the state this season. Blocked for an offense that produced 4,463 total yards of offense and for a team that went 12-1 and reached the Class 4A state title game. Holds as many as 10 high-profile Division I offers.

DEFENSE

T.J. Bollers

Defensive Line | Clear Creek-Amana | Senior

A rare three-time All-Iowa player, but a first-time Elite selection. Recorded just 35.5 total tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss while facing constant double- and triple-teams and forcing opposing offenses to change their scheme. Wisconsin commit.

Southeast Polk's Dominic Caggiano (33) was a dominant defender for the Rams, with 30 tackles for losses and 16 sacks.

Dominic Caggiano

Defensive Line | Southeast Polk | Senior

Ultra-productive game-wrecker for a Ram defense that had allowed less than 200 total yards of offense per game entering the state championship game. Led Class 4A with 30 tackles for loss and 16 sacks, and finished fourth with 70 total tackles. Also had a pick-six.

Southeast Valley's Aaron Graves had 18.5 tackles for loss in his junior campaign.

Aaron Graves

Defensive Line | Southeast Valley | Junior

Two-time All-Iowa selection, and a first-time Elite pick. Finished with 18.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks and 50.5 total tackles. Also recovered two fumbles and led the Jaguars to the Class 1A state quarterfinals. Iowa commit.

Urbandale tight end Max Llewellyn (4) will play next season for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Max Llewellyn

Defensive Line | Urbandale | Senior

Recorded 13 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and 28 total tackles. Also recorded 13 receptions for 278 yards and two touchdowns as a tight end. Iowa commit.

Seth Bullock, LB, Dubuque Senior

Seth Bullock

Linebacker | Dubuque Senior | Senior

One of just 12 players in all of Class 4A to record 60 or more tackles. Totaled 60.5, including 7.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, in eight games. Holds multiple Division I offers.

Urbandale linebacker Jaden Harrell is headed to Iowa next season.

Jaden Harrell

Linebacker | Urbandale | Senior

Recorded 45.5 total tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss in eight games. Also rushed for 381 yards and five touchdowns as a running back. Iowa commit.

Fremont-Mills senior Seth Malcom pulls down a pass in the second quarter against Remsen-St. Mary's on Nov. 19.

Seth Malcom

Linebacker | Fremont-Mills | Senior

Two-time All-Iowa selection, and a first-time Elite pick. Recorded 92.5 total tackles, including 70 solo stops and 17 tackles for loss, for a state finalist team. Also rushed for 1,606 yards and scored 24 total touchdowns. Nebraska commit.

Brecken Manus, LB, Ankeny

Brecken Manus

Linebacker | Ankeny | Senior

Leader of a defense that allowed 10.8 points per game. Led the Hawks with 77.5 total tackles. Had 44 solo stops, 7.5 tackles for a loss, two fumble recoveries and a pick-6. 

Southeast Polk's Xavier Nwankpa (5) is one of the nation's elite 2022 prospects.

Xavier Nwankpa

Defensive Back | Southeast Polk | Junior

One of the best defensive backs in the country. Recorded 6 interceptions, second-most in Class 4A, along with 41 tackles, including 35 solo stops. Added 380 rushing yards and scored 10 total touchdowns. Holds as many as 22 Division I offers.

Jaxon Rexroth, shown here on offense, was an all-around star for Xavier.

Jaxon Rexroth

Defensive Back | Cedar Rapids Xavier | Senior

Versatile playmaker for one of the best teams in Class 3A. Recorded 39.5 total tackles, four fumble recoveries and three interceptions. Totaled more than 2,100 yards and 33 touchdowns on offense. Iowa commit.

Waukee's Aaron Smith (5) is a blur on a football field.

Aaron Smith

Defensive Back | Waukee | Senior

Repeat Elite selection. The state's fastest man in football pads. Recorded 26.5 tackles, two interceptions, as well as a pick-six and a kick-return touchdown. Also totaled 896 total yards of offense and 15 touchdowns on 54 touches (24 rushes, 30 receptions). Bonafide Division I prospect.

SPECIALISTS

Valley senior kicker Lennox Krell (46) was 10-of-11 on field goals this season.

Lennox Krell

Kicker | West Des Moines Valley | Senior

Hit 10-of-11 field-goal tries, with a long of 48. Five of his 10 made field goals were 40 yards or longer, and another three cleared 30. Also recorded touchbacks on 32 of 40 kickoff attempts.

Iowa City West's Marcus Morgan can do just about anything on a football, including average 44.2 yards per punt.

Marcus Morgan

Punter | Iowa City West | Senior

Averaged 44.2 yards per punt for a West team that played just seven games but reached the state quarterfinals. Also amassed 1,875 total yards of offense and scored 25 total touchdowns.

First-Team Class Selections

CLASS 4A

OFFENSE

QB: Jase Bauer, sr., Ankeny

RB: Arland Bruce IV, sr., Ankeny

RB: Alex Linquist, sr., Waukee

WR: Brody Brecht, sr., Ankeny

WR: Isaiah Emanuel, sr., Southeast Polk

WR: Tyler Moore, sr., Johnston

Utility: Aidan Dunne, sr., Dubuque Hempstead

OL: Jim Bonifas, sr., Dubuque Senior

OL: Cade Borud, jr., Southeast Polk

OL: Connor Colby, sr., Cedar Rapids Kennedy

OL: Kadyn Proctor, soph., Southeast Polk

OL: Beau Schaller, sr., Waukee

DEFENSE

DL: Dominic Caggiano, sr., Southeast Polk

DL: Max Llewellyn, sr., Urbandale

DL: Jaylen Pettus, jr., Dowling Catholic

DL: Dominic Wiseman, jr., Davenport North

LB: Seth Bullock, sr., Dubuque Senior

LB: Max Derry, sr., Dowling Catholic

LB: Jaden Harrell, sr., Urbandale

LB: Brecken Manus, sr., Ankeny

DB: Sam Daniel, sr., Fort Dodge

DB: Joe Morrison, sr., Waukee

DB: Xavier Nwankpa, jr., Southeast Polk

DB: Aaron Smith, sr., Waukee

SPECIALISTS

K: Lennox Krell, sr., West Des Moines Valley

P: Marcus Morgan, sr., Iowa City West

CLASS 3A

OFFENSE

QB: Garrett Baumhover, sr., Western Dubuque

RB: Kody Noble, sr., Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley

RB: Wyatt Hunter, sr., Grinnell

WR: Ethan Carlson, sr., Norwalk

WR: Tommy DeSollar, sr., Western Dubuque

WR: Thomas Fidone, sr., Lewis Central

Utility: Jared Voss, sr., West Delaware

OL: Henry Lutovsky, sr., Mount Pleasant

OL: Tyler Maro, sr., Davenport Assumption

OL: Nathan McCormick, sr., Carlisle

OL: Carson Petlon, sr., West Delaware

OL: Dodge Sauser, sr., Grinnell

DEFENSE

DL: T.J. Bollers, sr., Clear Creek-Amana

DL: Hunter Deyo, jr., Lewis Central

DL: Mike Steffen, sr., Cedar Rapids Xavier

DL: Joey Petersen, sr., North Scott

LB: Jacob Imming, jr., Sergeant Bluff-Luton

LB: Nick Lemke, sr., Cedar Rapids Xavier

LB: Will McLaughlin, jr., Harlan

LB: Wyatt Voelker, jr., West Delaware

DB: Oliver Hughes, jr., North Scott

DB: Tyler Olson, sr., Webster City

DB: Jaxon Rexroth, sr., Cedar Rapids Xavier

DB: Oskar White, sr., Bondurant-Farrar

SPECIALISTS

K: Lincoln Oakley, sr., Cedar Rapids Xavier

P: Tate Stine-Smith, sr., ADM, Adel

CLASS 2A

OFFENSE

QB: Mike Delzell, jr., Camanche

RB: Jahsiah Galvan, jr., West Liberty

RB: Preston Pope, sr., West Marshall

WR: Matt Christensen, sr., Estherville Lincoln Central

WR: Jordan Lawrence, sr., Camanche

WR: Collin Swantz, sr., Mount Vernon

Utility: Zach Lutmer, soph., Central Lyon/George-Little Rock

OL: Keean Kamerling, sr., Mount Vernon

OL: Luke Pinnick, sr., West Marshall

OL: Nile Schuett, sr., Tipton

OL: Greyson Strum, sr., PCM, Monroe

OL: Jordan Ver Meer, sr., West Lyon

DEFENSE

DL: Brayden Everston, sr., West Marshall

DL: Kobe Simon, sr., West Liberty

DL: Brennan Sweeney, sr., Waukon

DL: Dylan Winkel, sr., Central Lyon/George-Little Rock

LB: Eric Kinkaid, jr., Camanche

LB: Kale Rodgers, sr., North Fayette Valley

LB: Carson Shive, sr., Solon

LB: Lincoln Snitker, jr., Waukon

DB: Justin Maggard, sr., PCM, Monroe

DB: Jagger Schmitt, jr., Clear Lake

DB: Cooper Spiess, jr., Centra Lyon/George-Little Rock

DB: Creed Welch, sr., Waukon

SPECIALISTS

K: Jesse Pladsen, sr., Vinton-Shellsburg

P: Jacob Durnan, sr., New Hampton

CLASS 1A

OFFENSE

QB: Cooper DeJean, sr., OABCIG

RB: Sam Sieren, sr., Sigourney-Keota

RB: Dalten Van Pelt, sr., Van Meter

WR: Griffin Greiner, jr., Cardinal

WR: Easton Harms, jr., OABCIG

WR: Brayden Wollan, sr., Underwood

Utility: Jack Pettit, jr., Van Meter

OL: Alex Buser, sr., Columbus Catholic

OL: Caydon Christensen, sr., Belmond-Klemme

OL: Jacob Leohr, sr., Dike-New Hartford

OL: Lincoln Olsen, jr., Van Meter

OL: Zach Smithart, jr., Sigourney-Keota

DEFENSE

DL: Jeff Bowie, sr., West Branch

DL: Aaron Graves, jr., Southeast Valley

DL: Casey Trudo, jr., Van Meter

DL: Ted Weber, sr., Cascade

LB: Luke Mulder, sr., Pella Christian

LB: Ethan Shever, jr., OABCIG

LB: Calvin Sieck, sr., Van Meter

LB: Dallas Westhoff, jr., Columbus Catholic

DB: Ben Dunlap, sr., Emmetsburg

DB: Brady Duwa, sr., Sigourney-Keota

DB: Alex Feldmann, sr., Columbus Catholic

DB: Alex Ravlin, soph., Underwood

SPECIALISTS

K: Simon Wagner, sr., Kuemper Catholic

P: Blake McAlister, jr., South Central Calhoun

CLASS A

OFFENSE

QB: Ashton Cook, sr., Iowa City Regina

RB: Ryan Cole, sr., Saint Ansgar

RB: Cole Kelly, sr., West Hancock

RB: Theo Kolie, sr., Iowa City Regina

WR: Blayde Bellis, sr., Wapsie Valley

WR: Alec Wick, sr., Iowa City Regina

Utility: Logan Knaack, jr., Grundy Center

OL: Brant Baltes, sr., Lisbon

OL: Alex Hansen, sr., Saint Ansgar

OL: Rex Johnsen, sr., Logan-Magnolia

OL: Kolby Muller, sr., Grundy Center

OL: Tanner Thompson, sr., West Hancock

DEFENSE

DL: Chet Buss, jr., North Butler

DL: Alex DeRoos, sr., Alta-Aurelia

DL: Eddie Vlcek, sr., Riverside

DL: Wes Willis, sr., Grundy Center

LB: Caleb Bacon, sr., Lake Mills

LB: Gage Heissel, sr., Woodbury Central

LB: Cullen McShane, sr., MFL-Mar-Mac

LB: Trevor Sauerbrei, sr., Wapsie Valley

DB: Adam Fillipi, sr., Lawton-Bronson

DB: Max Havilcek, sr., MFL-Mar-Mac

DB: Parker Rochford, sr., Edgewood-Colesburg

DB: Drake Woods, sr., Riverside

SPECIALISTS

K: Sam Wilber, sr., St. Albert

P: Kyler Rasmussen, sr., IKM-Manning

EIGHT-PLAYER

OFFENSE

QB: Eddie Burgess, jr., Montezuma

RB: Keegan Giesking, sr., Gladbrook-Reinbeck

RB: Lane Spieker, jr., CAM, Anita

WR: Troy Holt, sr., Martensdale-St. Marys

WR: Trey Shearer, sr., Montezuma

Utility: Cael Frost, sr., Don Bosco

OL: Xavier Galles, sr., Remsen St. Mary’s

OL: Justin McCaulley, sr., Southeast Warren

OL: Auston Wittgreve, sr., Gladbrook-Reinbeck

DEFENSE

DL: Carter Allen, jr., New London

DL: Austin Bremer, jr., Tripoli

DL: Cade Tenold, jr., Don Bosco

LB: Jared Hoodjer, jr., Janesville

LB: Seth Malcom, sr., Fremont-Mills

LB: Layne Pryor, sr., Woodbine

DB: Porter Fuegen, sr., Easton Valley

DB: Blaise Porter, soph., New London

DB: Cole Watts, sr., Montezuma

SPECIALISTS

K: Ryan Stortenbecker, soph., East Mills

P: William Amfahr, jr., Martensdale St. Marys

HONORABLE MENTION

  • Brice Peterson, sr., Ankeny
  • Griffin Liddle, sr., Bettendorf
  • Max White, sr., Cedar Rapids Kennedy
  • Watts McBride, soph., Cedar Rapids Washington
  • Louis Brooks, sr., Dowling Catholic
  • Andrew Lentsch, sr., Dowling Catholic
  • Dayson Cayton, sr., Fort Dodge
  • Grahm Goering, sr., Iowa City West
  • Titus Christiansen, jr., Southeast Polk
  • Jaxon Dailey, sr., Southeast Polk
  • Tucker Langenberg, sr., Urbandale
  • Nasir Washington, sr., W.D.M. Valley
  • Dawson Forgy, sr., Winterset
  • Connor Frame, jr., Harlan
  • Kody Huisman, sr., Pella
  • Jack Lux, sr., Cedar Rapids Xavier
  • Carter Markham, sr., North Scott
  • Trey Mathis, sr., Webster City
  • Tyler Smith, soph., Sergeant Bluff-Luton
  • Zach Truitt, sr., Carlisle
  • Blake Willey, sr., Dallas Center-Grimes
  • Marcus Beatty, jr., Independence
  • Jack Boldt, sr., Tipton
  • Zayne Feller, sr., Camanche
  • Ethan O’Neill, sr., Waukon
  • Durant Van Dyke, jr., PCM, Monroe
  • Nolan DeLong, soph., Durant
  • Jack Menster, soph., Cascade
  • Aiden Schuster, jr., Sigourney-Keota
  • Domonic Walker, sr., Panorama
  • Dylan Wiggins, soph., West Sioux
  • Kayden Ames, sr., West Fork
  • Cole Clark, sr., Lisbon
  • Mathew Francis, jr., West Hancock
  • Jacob Herold, sr., South Winneshiek
  • Sage Hulshiver, sr., Saint Ansgar
  • Tre Melby, sr., Logan-Magnolia
  • Zach Opheim, sr., Grundy Center
  • Keagan Streeter, soph., South Winneshiek
  • Jaxon Bunkers, soph., Remsen St. Mary’s
  • Jack Franey, sr., Martensdale-St. Marys
  • Blaine Harpenau, sr., Remsen St. Mary’s
  • Carson Pariseu, sr., Janesville
  • Kole Reis, sr., Kingsley-Pierson
  • Gavin Smith, jr., Audubon

Cody Goodwin covers wrestling and high school sports for the Des Moines Register. Follow him on Twitter at @codygoodwin.