Two Iowa high school standouts have publicly announced where they will continue their football careers, a development that reshapes recruiting lines for both local programs and the colleges that signed them. The moves — one to an FCS program and the other to an NAIA powerhouse — arrive after strong seasons and could alter depth charts and recruiting momentum for the schools involved.
Amos Collins, a senior running back at Sioux City East, confirmed his commitment to Drake University in mid-October with a celebratory post on X. Collins is a versatile ball carrier who has been a key piece in a high-powered East offense this year.
Through the current campaign Collins has carried 60 times for 276 yards and eight touchdowns, figures that follow a productive 2025 season in which he totaled 506 rushing yards on 99 attempts and added 11 catches for 103 yards with a receiving touchdown. His announcement joins a string of commitments from Sioux City East teammates — including Kason Clayborne, who is headed to the University of Minnesota, and Chris Ford, who will play at the University of South Dakota — underscoring the program’s current pipeline to college-level play.
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Donald chooses Grand View, joins a championship-caliber program
From Cedar Rapids Prairie, 6-foot-6 offensive lineman Javen Donald announced he will enroll at Grand View University, a program regularly competing for NAIA titles. Donald framed his decision as both an academic and athletic step forward and thanked family, coaches and supporters in his message.
Donald’s presence on the Prairie line has been notable this fall; he’s credited with several dominant blocks and has helped an offense that, through the season so far, has produced 1,183 passing yards with 14 touchdowns and 880 rushing yards with 11 scores. Numerous Prairie teammates also recently accepted offers to four-year programs, including commitments to Valparaiso, Northern Iowa, Central Michigan and Minnesota.
For the colleges involved, each signing carries immediate practical effects: depth chart planning, position group competition and recruiting narratives. For the players, selecting programs that match their physical profiles and playing ambitions will guide both on-field development and academic choices.
- Amos Collins — RB, Sioux City East: committed to Drake University; this season 60 carries, 276 yards, 8 TDs; 2025: 506 rushing yards, 11 receptions.
- Javen Donald — OL, Cedar Rapids Prairie: committed to Grand View University; 6-foot-6 lineman credited with multiple pancake blocks this fall; helped offense to 1,183 passing yards and 880 rushing yards so far this season.
- Notable teammates moving on: Kason Clayborne (Minnesota), Chris Ford (South Dakota), Cael Kongshaug (Valparaiso), Drew Bennis (Northern Iowa), Dawson Kahl (Central Michigan), Will Clausen (Minnesota).
Coaches at both Drake and Grand View will now integrate these recruits into spring and summer development plans. For fans and local observers, the decisions confirm continued talent production from Iowa high schools and offer a preview of how rosters might shift heading into next season.
While the immediate headlines are the commitments themselves, the longer-term metric will be how each player adapts to college schemes and how quickly they can compete for playing time. For recruits from strong prep programs, early opportunities often hinge on physical readiness and the depth needs of the receiving roster.
Recruiting season remains fluid; further announcements from the same high schools are likely as additional seniors formalize their college choices in coming weeks. For now, Collins and Donald’s selections stand as the latest evidence of Iowa’s steady contribution to both FCS and NAIA rosters.
