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Hawkeye fans have learned over the years that there is truly no such thing as a “can’t miss prospect,” which is why players like Blake Larsen and Kyle “Bonecrusher” Williams never developed into stars in the black and gold. However, the next player on our countdown to kickoff looks to be as sure a thing as Iowa has seen from an offensive recruit in a very long time.
David Davidkov- Freshman
Glenview, IL (New Trier)
6’6”, 295 lbs
2021 Projection: Redshirt
David Davidkov is a massive offensive lineman prospect from the suburbs of Chicago who boasts a tantalizing combination of size, strength, and athleticism. Davidkov was one of only 100 high school players to be named an All-American by NBC Sports during his senior year. He was ranked in the top 150 players in the 247 consensus rankings for the class of 2020 and is the highest rated commitment Iowa has received since A.J. Epenesa and the highest rated offensive lineman to sign with the Hawks since fellow Illinois native Jordan Walsh did so in 2011.
What makes Davidkov such an intriguing prospect?
· He moves exceptionally well for someone with his size and excels at getting to the second level of the defense.
· He plays through his blocks and is the type of player defenders will struggle to escape from once he engages them.
· He has an excellent athletic pedigree (his father played hockey for the Bulgarian national team) and he was a standout rugby player in high school.
· He is a second-generation American who possess the type of work ethic you can’t coach.
· Recruiting analysts have cited Outland Trophy winner Brandon Scherff and All-Pro left tackle Joe Staley as his closest comparisons.
· He plays with the kind of mean streak that some of Iowa’s best offensive lineman have embodied, with one analyst writing that Davidkov “plays angry and with a ton of energy and effort. He’s also one of those offensive line prospects that not only wants to put you on your back, but wants you to know you just got pancaked.”
Even if Davidkov is the kind of player who exceeds the lofty expectations that will follow him to Iowa City, it is tough to see him making much of an impact this season given that he sat out most of the Spring due to injury. That being said, it’s only a matter of time before Davidkov sees the field at either tackle or guard, and it’s possible that he could get a few reps in garbage time this fall with an eye on preserving his eligibility for 2022.