The Iowa Hawkeyes are officially rolling on the recruiting trail. With incoming freshmen now on campus for the most part and fall camp still several weeks away, the coaching staff is dialed in on recruiting.
That has meant lining up a huge official visit weekend next week, where the staff hopes to make a serious splash. In anticipation of that event, a number of other top prospects have hurried to get their visits in early to have all available information on a possible decision before the seats on the bus fill up.
This week alone, that has meant the addition of Kansas offensive lineman Mason Richman and Minnesota defensive lineman Yahya Black. Today, the Hawkeyes made it a trifecta, adding a receiver from the sunshine state.
Quavon Matthews is a dynamic receiver the Hawkeyes were fortunate to snag before he hits the field again this fall. The Largo, Florida product missed all of last season due to an ACL tear, which has led to a relatively light recruitment. When healthy, he’s a speedy, shifty receiver with good hands.
At 6’ and 170 pounds, Matthews is on the smaller side for the outside receivers Ken O’Keefe and Brian Ferentz tend to like, but the quickness and ability to change direction more than make up for any potential downside in size. What’s more, Matthews is a talented return man and according to his high school coach, a willing blocker. Those traits should help him find the field early.
As for his coach, that would be former Hawkeye Marcus Paschal. For those keeping track at home, Matthews marks the second wide receiver from Largo High Paschal has sent to Iowa City in three years. Matthews joins redshirt freshman Calvin Lockett.
And the Hawkeyes May not be done at Largo yet. Matthews opted for a visit to Iowa City this weekend knowing the staff was hosting their big recruiting weekend next week. He was joined by teammate and defensive back Keylen Gulley, who also has an Iowa offer.
Matthews is commitment number 13 for Iowa. He chose the Hawkeyes over offers from North Carolina and Southern Miss. Again, those came before the ACL surgery and it’s likely a number of other schools will try to jump in this fall when Matthews hits the field for his senior year.
The class of 2020 has grown quickly and is rising up the ranks. Rivals now has it as the 3rd best class in the Big Ten and 19th nationally - one spot behind Michigan. Look for the staff to continue adding over the next week and potentially push for 20 total commits by the end of the month.
Welcome aboard Quavon Matthews!