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A little over a week ago, the Iowa Hawkeyes got the ball rolling on their spring recruiting surge that we’ve seen over the last several years. Despite the staff being stuck at home, unable to either visit or host recruits, they have been active with phone calls, text messages and video tours for prospects who are interested in Iowa. Eight days ago, that paid off with a commitment from Florida defensive back Jordan Oladokun, who has never been to Iowa City.
Today, the Hawkeyes got more good news, this time from a recruit much closer to home who simply knew it was where he wanted to go.
I can’t thank each and every single coach enough that has taken the time to evaluate me as a recruit! This whole process has been a life changing experience and I’m forever grateful! I have decided to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Iowa!! #swarm21 pic.twitter.com/eL9IlSzJP9
— Max Llewellyn (@maxllewellyn34) April 22, 2020
“I called and basically told them that I thought it was time because why wait if you know where you want to go?,” Llewellyn told HawkeyeReport.com. “I know I want to go to Iowa, so there’s no point in waiting because I’m all in.”
On film, Llewellyn looks as you would expect a division 1 recruit to look against high school competition in Iowa, even at the highest class level. He’s bigger, faster and stronger than the man lined up opposite him on every play.
The Urbandale product has a tremendous frame at 6’5” which should allow plenty of filling out from Doyle given he sits at just 230 pounds as a junior. The length allows Llewellyn to get his hands on would-be blockers and use his strength to drive them back or toss them aside. He shows great explosion and enough quickness to get around the edge. That helped him rack up 37 tackles, 11.5 TFL and 4 sacks.
In the words of Iowa’s Jay Niemann, he’s big, fast and physical with the trademark motor Iowa defensive linemen seem to always possess.
Big, fast, PHYSICAL and a motor that won’t quit! GREAT addition to the DL group today!
— Jay Niemann (@Coach_Niemann) April 22, 2020
##SWARM21 #IowaEdge
Llewellyn chose Iowa over offers from 14 other schools, including Penn State, Michigan State, Nebraska, Northwestern, Missouri, Kansas State, Kansas, Iowa State and others. He becomes Iowa’s 10th commitment in the class of 2021 and the 8th slated to suit up for Phil Parker’s defense. He also becomes the seventh commit from the state of Iowa’s loaded crop of prospects and the second from Urbandale, joining linebacker Jaden Harrell, who committed last July.
Iowa’s class is now ranked 12th nationally by Rivals and 11th according to 247 Sports. The Hawkeyes are expected to take close to 20 commitments again in the class of 2021.
Welcome aboard Max Llewellyn!