Max Schmeltzer '25 Recruiting Profile

My name is Max Schmeltzer and I am currently a junior at Pleasant Valley High School in Bettendorf, Iowa.

I have been competing in various sports since grade school and although I have very much enjoyed all of these experiences, it is football that I am most passionate about and hope to pursue at the college level.  Given my size and athleticism, I also believe that football is the sport I am best positioned for success in.

I am fortunate to have played varsity football at my high school in both my sophomore and junior years.  In doing so, I have developed my skills and have become a player who can play on both sides of the ball.  I played tight end on offense and can play both defensive line and outside linebacker on defense. Offensively, I have speed and the strength to break tackles and get yards after the catch. My team looks to me to be a strong blocker, whether it be double team blocks, one on one, or getting through the line and reaching the next level to block. Defensively, I can rush and get to the quarterback from both the interior line and the edge, and I use my length to deflect many passes. 

The first year I played varsity, my team was undefeated in district play and advanced to the state playoffs. In my second year of varsity, my team had a single loss in district play and again advanced to the state playoffs. I was awarded all district honors as a junior and I look forward to doing even more my senior year.  Playing football in one of the more competitive districts in class 5A in Iowa afforded me the opportunity to play with and against many D1 bound players.  It also accelerated the learning curve for me and enhanced my development.  It also gave me reason to believe I could play college level football since I realized I could match up well with any of those players.

I am also in my second year playing varsity basketball.  Last year, our basketball team made it to the state semifinals.  Basketball helps me develop speed, lateral mobility and jumping, as well as conditioning.

My high school coaches have told me time and again that I am an extremely coachable player. When my coaches give me advice, I make sure to listen and try to apply it in my play right away. When I make mistakes, I make sure I hold myself accountable for it, but also make sure to move on to the next play and to not dwell on it.  

I also push myself to excel in the classroom.  Academically, I have been taking AP and honors level classes and will continue to do so through my senior year.  So far, I have a 3.7 GPA and intend to push it even higher with more college level courses next year.  

I am confident that I can be a good addition to a college football program and to the overall college community.  I am motivated, hard working and I know I can be successful on the field and in the classroom.