Class 4A: Top 10 Returning Blocks

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1643192' first='Landon' last='Davis'] (Waukee Northwest) -- 97 blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Davis is one of the most impactful defenders the state has seen in recent years. Think what Daniel Tobiloba meant to Grand View Christian, and then extrapolate that to playing against 4A competition, and there's an argument that he's THE impact defender of the last decade. With his ability to switch on the perimeter, drop in coverage, and protect the paint at a ridiculously high level, the future Illinois big man is primed for a massive senior year for the team that will likely open the season as the #1 team in 4A. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2617486' first='Charles' last='Crane'] (Dowling Catholic) -- 77</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crane is a super versatile defender who can switch on the perimeter and hold his own against smaller guards or bang against bigger bodies in the paint. He's a great athlete with impeccable timing as a shot blocker. He'll play his college ball at the Naval Academy, where he'll give the Midshipmen a high-upside two-way big man.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765553' first='William' last='Gerdes'] (Cedar Falls) -- 48</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gerdes will stay close to home and play his college ball at Northern Iowa, where he'll give the Panthers a rangy, athletic defender who can protect the paint, move his feet on the perimeter, and score in a multitude of different ways. He averaged 16.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 2.0 blocks per game on 66-44-73 shooting splits last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765516' first='Marach' last='Dau'] (Ames) -- 46</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dau has the type of length and second jump that allows him to protect the rim at an extremely high level for the Little Cyclones. Knowing that they have his rim protection behind them allows the Ames' guards to play more aggressively on the perimeter, as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978099' first='Colin' last='Rice'] (Waukee Northwest) -- 42</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A Nebraska commit who stuffs the stat sheet in a variety of ways, Rice averaged 12.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game while posting 54-38-75 shooting spits. All that while being the tertiary option on most nights. He'll be the go-to option for the Wolves as a senior and he'll have a chance to put up some ridiculous numbers on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6.) 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2594655' first='Pete' last='Craig'] (Waukee) -- 33</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Craig was really good as a freshman for the Warriors, averaging 7.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game. A versatile, strong 6-5 wing who can score from inside and out, he showed a real knack for contesting shots against smaller defenders on the perimeter, blocking a number of jumpers last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765524' first='Evan' last='Jacobson'] (Waukee) -- 28</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The future Texas A&amp;M tight end has the blend of strength, size, athleticism, and IQ that make him an impactful defender. He's one of the best two-way big men in the state, averaging 18.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.2 blocks on 45-45-68 shooting splits last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765549' first='Leyton' last='Wolf'] (Cedar Falls) -- 28</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wolf is the X-factor for the Tigers, a tough, versatile defender with great size and length. He can move his feet on the perimeter, contest shots against bigger bodies in the paint, and control the glass on both ends of the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1792287' first='Mason' last='Goering'] (Iowa City West) -- 25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Goering is a really good athlete, a combo forward who can do a little bit of everything for the Trojans. He averaged 8.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game, and is able to guard just about anyone at this level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2754672' first='Brady' last='Randall'] (Liberty) -- 24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Randall was a breakout player for the Lightning as a sophomore, averaging 9.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game on 48-39-56 shooting splits. A long, rangy wing who can score from all three levels, he's an active defender who moves his feet well and contests shots. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->