CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The 2020 class of the Iowa High School Athletic Association’s Football Hall of Fame will be inducted at halftime of the Class 4A championship game on Friday, November 20.
The IHSAA began honoring the on- and off-field accomplishments of Iowa’s greatest high school football players back in 1980. Players are nominated by member schools, then presented to a committee made up of Hall of Fame coaches, then taken to the IHSAA’s Board of Control.
Below is brief biographical information on each Hall of Fame selection. More information on the awards is available in the annual championship program, available for $5 at the UNI-Dome or through the IHSAA office.
CLASS OF 2020
RYAN HANNAM, Saint Ansgar – A four-year starter, he was the program’s career receiving leader and its first 1,000-yard rusher in a season. A four-sport athlete who graduated in 1998, he then became a four-year letterwinner at tight end for the University of Northern Iowa. A fifth-round NFL draft pick, he played five seasons, including a Super Bowl XL appearance with catches for the Seattle Seahawks.
MIKE KLINKENBORG, Central Lyon – Rugged three-year starter who played every snap and led his team to three playoff appearances. Elite all-state as a senior, finished career with 417 tackles. Earned four varsity letters, then started two years with Iowa Hawkeyes. A team defensive MVP as a junior, he was team captain and second-team All-Big Ten as a senior.
JEFF KOEPPEL, Urbandale – A three-year starter and two-time all-state player on the offensive and defensive lines for the J-Hawks. Inaugural Gatorade Player of the Year for football in Iowa, also the Des Moines Register male athlete of the year in 1986. Became three-year letterwinner at the University of Iowa, starting every game of his junior and senior years, named team captain in 1989. Two-time state heavyweight wrestling champion.
DARIN NAATJES, West Lyon, Inwood – Four-year starter and three-time letterwinner for powerhouse program, going from receiver to quarterback. Scored 188 career points, won 1998 state championship and was all-state as defensive end. Played football and baseball at Stanford University, then drafted by St. Louis Cardinals and played three years in minor leagues.
KEVIN SANGER, Britt – Four-year letterwinner and playoff qualifier for his father Bob’s squad, including runner-up finishes in 1986 and 1987. The oldest of four football starring brothers graduated in 1989, earning first team all-state honors in his junior and senior seasons. An all-conference defensive back in 1987, he led Britt to the semifinals as a linebacker in 1988 and later had an all-conference career at Central College.
