Jayden Thompson: The Iowa Transfer Who Stepped Right Up
Dowling Catholic Maroons running back Jayden Thompson burst onto the scene last season with a 223-yard rushing performance against Des Moines East, a 4A opponent. The Class of 2025 standout transferred from out-of-state, but quickly earned a starting role in the Maroons' backfield. Thompson's impressive debut season saw him rack up over 1,200 yards on the ground, averaging nearly 7 yards per carry. His ability to break tackles and make defenders miss has drawn comparisons to some of the top running backs in the state. As a transfer student, Thompson had to navigate a new school and a new league, but his on-field production suggests he's quickly adapted to the Iowa high school football scene. Scouts are now watching to see how Thompson will build on his impressive freshman campaign, particularly in terms of his ability to read blocks and take advantage of seams in the defense.