​Kyle Rakers Position: Offensive Line; Previous College: None; Projection: Second-String; Remaining Eligibility: 3 years; Status: On Scholarship
Kyle Rakers (born October 7, 2005) is a promising offensive guard from Dowling Catholic High School in Iowa who enrolled in spring 2024 and is pursuing an accounting major. He redshirted the 2024 season to add strength and bulk to his frame, aiming to develop further before contributing at a higher level.
In the 2023 season, Rakers appeared as a reserve offensive lineman, earning snaps against Kansas and Texas Tech. He logged eight offensive plays and concluded the year as an Academic All-Big 12 performer, highlighting both his on-field potential and academic commitment. His development at Dowling Catholic came under head coach Tom Wilson, where he established himself as a highly regarded prospect in the Class of 2024.
national scouting outlets consistently ranked him among the top guards in his class. ESPN listed him as the 71st-best offensive guard nationally and, along with 247Sports, rated him as the 10th-best overall prospect in Iowa. Across his high school career, Rakers earned recognition as a three-year starter and played a pivotal role in Dowling Catholic’s success, contributing to a 19-4 record over his final two seasons. His performances earned him inclusion on The Des Moines Register All-Iowa Elite Team for both his junior and senior years, as well as first-team all-state honors in both seasons.
Rakers’ accolades extend to the Iowa Football Coaches Association and the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association, both of which named him first-team all-state in his junior and senior years. Offensively, he contributed to a Dowling Catholic attack that produced impressive statistics, with the Maroons rushing for 1,988 yards, passing for 1,402 yards, and scoring a total of 42 touchdowns during his senior campaign.
Ahead of his collegiate career, Rakers committed to Kansas State over a broad list of offers from programs including Boston College, Illinois, Iowa State, Kansas, Miami (Ohio), Michigan State, Missouri, Nebraska, Northern Illinois, Oklahoma State, Purdue, Tulane, and UNLV. He also drew interest from Arkansas, Cincinnati, Iowa, Minnesota, and Notre Dame. His primary recruiter was former Dowling Catholic position coach and former offensive coordinator Conor Riley, who closely followed his progress through the recruiting process.
Looking ahead, Rakers is projected to compete for a roster spot as a backup at center, contending with Michael Capria for the role behind Delvin Morris. His college career is geared toward adding depth and experience to the line, with the potential to contribute as a reliable interior blocker on depth charts and special teams units. His continued development will be driven by his combination of size, strength gains, technique refinement, and football IQ, making him a strong candidate for extended playtime as he progresses through his remaining three years of eligibility.