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Iowa football got a big win from the Des Moines area today when Dowling Catholic’s John Waggoner committed to play for the Hawkeyes.
Excited to announce my commitment to Iowa! Can't thank everyone enough for the support throughout this process. Go Hawks! #Swarm18 pic.twitter.com/qzPoqUuDZ2
— John Waggoner (@johnwaggs_12) December 5, 2017
Text from Dowling's Tom Wilson: "He is a Hawk." John Waggoner commits to the Iowa Hawkeyes. https://t.co/UsuRIew185
— Matthew Bain (@MatthewBain_) December 5, 2017
The 6-5, 230-lb local product is projected to play defensive end for the Hawkeyes. He’d be the second four-star recruit of the class of 2018 (according to Rivals. 247 Sports took away his four-star rating last week, because Iowa) behind Julius Brents.
Hawkeyes land top in-state recruit, four-star DE John Waggoner https://t.co/oScqhpF1fe
— Blair Sanderson (@BlairRIVALS) December 5, 2017
Waggoner has an impressive list of offers, ranging from Ohio State, Florida, LSU, Michigan, Michigan State and just about every other Big Ten School. And Iowa State. Rumors said Waggoner was between Iowa and Iowa State, but the writing was on the wall for the good guys earlier this morning:
Latest from Dowling's Tom Wilson: P.J. Fleck is no longer visiting John Waggoner today. Nebraska wants to come visit, but Waggoner is waiting to make any visit/recruiting decisions until after he meets with Iowa's Reese Morgan today.
— Matthew Bain (@MatthewBain_) December 5, 2017
He also has an impressive highlight reel:
Waggoner is the No. 1 player in the state (and the No. 20 defensive end in the country) by both recruiting services, so this is a good get for Iowa asserting dominance over regional schools on the crootin’ trail.
As a senior, Waggoner finished with 27 tackles, 12.5 TFL, and 5.5 sacks as he helped West Des Moines Dowling win their 5th consecutive state championship in Class 4A.
His commitment gives Iowa the first, second and third top-rated players in the state as well.
Welcome aboard, Mr. Waggoner. We look forward to you continuing Iowa’s recent tradition of putting terrorizing defensive ends on the field.