One Of The Top Sophomores In Iowa: Gavin Stecker

Gavin Stecker is a 4 Star recruit who plays Linebacker at Bettendorf High School. Stecker is ranked as the 288th best recruit in the class of 2027 and is ranked as a top 25 Linebacker in the class as well. In addition, Stecker is listed as the #5 recruit in the state of Iowa and is listed as the #1 Linebacker in the state of Iowa. He currently holds offers from Iowa State and Kansas State.

Who are some role models in your life?
My dad and Coach Freking. They’ve both played a huge role in shaping who I am on and off the field.

What artists do you listen to pregame to get hyped up?
Maf Teeski and Lil Durk always get me locked in.

What are the strengths of your game?
My speed and physicality—those are the parts of my game I take pride in.

What is your favorite memory of your career?
Starting my first varsity game against our crosstown rivals and winning in overtime. That one meant a lot.

Who is the best player you’ve ever played with or against in your career?
The best player I’ve played with is Hayden Morrison, and the toughest I’ve faced is Julian Manson.

What’s some advice you’d give to an aspiring D1 athlete?
Be genuine when talking to coaches, and don’t stress about stars or offers. Just focus on dominating the field every time you step on it.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I’d love to visit one of the islands in the Caribbean. The vibe and scenery out there look incredible.

How old were you when you fell in love with the game?
I fell in love with football in 5th grade, around 11 years old.

If you could meet one sports hero, who would it be?
Either Drew Brees or Luke Kuechly. Both were great leaders with high football IQs and played the game the right way.

What’s your favorite sports moment as a fan?
Watching the Patriots come back from a 28–3 deficit in the Super Bowl. That was legendary.