:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/64009498/464074F2_7EBC_4F18_AD1D_61D4C290059D.0.jpeg)
It may be June, but the snowball is starting to roll in Iowa City. A few days ago, the Hawkeyes kicked off the summer recruiting push by landing Kansas offensive lineman Mason Richman. That was expected to be the first of many commits over the next month.
A week from now, Iowa will be hosting their big official visit weekend with 20+ prospects on campus, including nearly all their current commits. That big weekend is likely to yield several commits (last year, only one uncommitted visitor left without committing).
Knowing those commits are likely coming, it seems the momentum is getting started early. Tonight, the Hawkeyes landed their second commitment of the week as Minnesota defensive end Yahya Black joined the swarm.
Committed to Iowa
— Yahya Black (@Yblack74) June 15, 2019
Many great experiences ahead pic.twitter.com/vP0rczxjzd
Black is a big, physical defensive end with a great frame at 6’5”. At 250 pounds already, he overwhelmed most of his high school competition as a junior. It wasn’t just the sheer size and strength though, Black has good quickness off the edge. He has a great first step and explosive hands.
While nobody will likely live up to the hype building for junior A.J. Epenesa this year, Black does comp well to an Epenesa light. He has the raw physical tools to be very good and appears to have the mentality to utilize those tools to their potential.
Black committed the Hawkeyes after camping with Iowa this weekend. He chose them over offers from home state Minnesota, as well as an offer from Kansas State and all the Dakota schools.
He’s the 5th defensive lineman to commit in the class of 2020. While that would typically mean the class is done, Iowa is likely to take at least one and possibly two more. With the recent success at defensive end with Anthony Nelson leaving early for the NFL Draft this season and the aforementioned Epenesa likely to do the same next year, Iowa needs bodies on the line.
Overall, Black is commitment number 12 in Iowa’s class of 2020. The group is likely to end north of 20 yet again. Expect the snowball to keep building over the next week with the class nearly full coming out of next weekend’s official visits.
Welcome aboard Yahya Black!