Iowa Football Recruiting: Hawkeyes Land Commitment From Florida WR Calvin Lockett

The first ever early signing period in college football is only a week away and things are heating up on in a big way on the recruiting trail for programs across the country. As we reported last week, this is as true at Iowa as anywhere else. The Hawkeyes hosted their entire class of 2018 commitments for official visits over the weekend, as well as former 2017 commit Daviyon Nixon who has been at Iowa Western CC this season.

But it wasn’t just commits in town, there were also a handful of the top remaining targets on the staff’s recruiting board. That contingent included Florida receiver Calvin Lockett. Lockett is a name we’ve been following for some time as a top WR target for the Hawkeyes in this cycle. He reportedly had wanted to make it up to Iowa City earlier in the year, but the class size and positional needs were still unclear and the visit was held off.

It finally happened this weekend and it ended with some great news for the Hawkeyes. Just one short day after leaving Iowa City, WR coach and Florida native Kelton Copeland was on a plane down to Largo, FL to see Lockett. The trip paid big dividends as today Lockett pledged his commitment to the Hawkeyes.

The addition of Lockett returns the class of 2018 to 15 members. As outlined over the weekend, the class dropped to 14 after Indiana TE Anthony Torres flipped his commitment to Western Michigan.

A 3-star by the various rexruiting services, Lockett is a big WR, standing at 6’2” and heavier than his list weight of 160 pounds. He plays his high school football for former Hawkeye Marcus Paschal at Largo High School in Florida. He has good ball skills both as a receiver and in the return game. A major positive for Hawkeye fans is he looks to have good top end speed to go with his size on the outside.

I caught up with Lockett last week as he prepared to visit Iowa City. When asked what Iowa fans should know about his game, he had this to say:

I love to compete and I feel like I'm better than anyone that lines up against me. I can create separation when I'm running a route and I also will block on runs.

That is confirmed with his film. The size and speed combo is great for creating separation and the height allows him to go up and get the ball against smaller defensive backs. The need to block is a necessity in the Iowa scheme as we all know too well. You see some of that on the tape and the comments from Lockett himself should provide hope he can find the field early.

After the news that Samson Evans will be starting at RB rather than WR, Lockett makes just the second WR commit in this class. He’ll join Indianapolis native Tyrone Tracy, who was himself both a RB and WR on his high school team, as the only current WR commits in the class. He’s also the first commitment from the state of Florida.

It’s possible the staff takes one more WR if Drake Stoops decides to join the Swarm. The remainder of the open spots are likely reserved for a QB and a LB. Beyond that, the staff has gone after some big talent if spots should come available beyond the early signing period.

Here’s an updated look at the class of 2018. All current commitments are expected to sign their NLIs during the early signing period December 20-22.

Welcome aboard Calvin Lockett! Look forward to seeing you in the black and gold. Go Hawks!