SIGNING DAY 2014 IS JUST RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER. Iowa's 2014 class is nearly full and expect the usual in-state name to pop up late as Iowa looks to round out this class. Iowa sits at 19 commits for 2014 and could end up with 20-21 when it's all said and done. This class is typical for Iowa. It's ranked somewhere in the 40s-50s by ranking services. I don't put a lot of stock into team rankings because each team signs a different number of recruits and each team has different needs to fill.
Iowa missed on some top targets. Specifically, offensive linemen Ross Pierschbacher and Brian Wallace. They've also failed to bring in a top rated defensive end which is still a position of need. Iowa loaded up on defensive backs this year and also handed out two scholarships to specialists. We'll of course have more on Iowa's 2014 class after the ink is dry on Signing Day. Let's now turn out attention to the next class of prospects, the 2015 class.
Iowa hosted Junior Day this last weekend. The Hawkeyes already have two commits for the 2015 class: quarterback Jack Beneventi and offensive lineman Jacob Newborg. Iowa may also have a couple of in-state prospects in fold in Levi and Landan Paulsen. The Paulsen twins have yet to officially commit to Iowa but they don't hide their affection for the Hawks on Twitter very well. That's a solid start for Iowa. There's four three-star prospects (Rivals) and three of the top four rated prospects in the state of Iowa for next year.
The biggest name to visit Iowa over the weekend was defensive end Jashon Cornell. He's a four-star defensive end prospect from Saint Paul, Minnesota, that's visited Iowa on several occasions (He's from Cretin-Derham Hall and works out with former Hawkeye Broderick Binns). Rivals ranks Cornell as the top prospect in the state of Minnesota and the 5th rated defensive end in the nation. He's #74 on their Top 100 list for 2015. ESPN ranks Cornell the top prospect overall.
Some other visitors:
Iowa offered Missouri prospect Alec Muprhy. He's a 6'1" 220 pound running back that already holds an offer from Illinois.
Hang'n with my boys @Jay_Rock16 and @cdhboy22 at U Iowa Jr Day! #unsignedpreps #football #jrday #D1 #iowa #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/NW0DGU6o6G
— Alec Murphy 2⃣6⃣ (@alecmurphy26) January 18, 2014
West Des Moines Dowling Catholic's Ryan Boyle was on campus Saturday. He's yet to receive an offer but Iowa still is showing interest despite having Beneventi's verbal commitment. Boyle is a two-star quarterback prospect according to Rivals and is the 5th best prospect in the state.
Donavon Harris is a dual threat quarterback from Princeton, New Jersey. Harris is likely a defensive back recruit.
Tommy Stevens, of Decatur, Indiana, is also a dual threat quarterback. He's a two-star prospect that will also play in the defensive backfield in college. He already holds an Iowa offer as well as offers from Indiana, Purdue and a handful of MAC schools.
Nick Connelly is a defensive end from Minnesota. He's yet to receive an offer but lists interest from several Big Ten schools.
Like Connelly, Bobby McMillen has interest but no offers yet. He's a 6'2" 220 pound middle linebacker from Naperville, Illinois.
Finally, some other names that popped up on Twitter:
- Brady Ross - middle linebacker
- Seth Nerness - athlete
- Brett Waechter - defensive end
- Jack Hockaday - athlete
- Drayton Carlberg - defensive tackle
- Nathan Veloz - offensive lineman
- Omari Stringer - safety
- Brady Reiff - defensive line (didn't make junior day but received an offer)