National Signing Day has come and gone. There were a few surprises, headlined by Nebraska flipping Dylan Raiola, but the Iowa Hawkeyes largely stayed put and signed their guys.
It wasn’t a day of flash for the Hawkeyes so much as it was a day of consistency and getting commitments from recruits ready to don the black and gold in Iowa City. Their class remains strong and in the top quarter of 2024 recruiting classes.
Following National Signing Day, ESPN ranked the 2024 classes and the Hawkeyes didn’t see movement either way staying put at No. 34 overall in the country.
Big Ten rank: 9 of 18
Top offensive commit: G Cody Fox (No. 177)
Top defensive commit: LB Preston Ries (four stars)The Hawkeyes are building a core of talent with top in-state prospects, including commitments from four of the top five prospects in Iowa. Cody Fox has good flexibility and body quickness and is among the top interior OL prospects in the nation. They have kept two very good versatile players home in Cam Buffington and Preston Ries, who both project to play linebacker. Ries, who also plays quarterback for Monticello Community High School, has tested well on the camp circuit, and his speed and quickness translate to the field. He should only improve with a focus on defense. – Craig Haubert, ESPN
Iowa is doing what Iowa does. They own the in-state recruiting and get the top talent to stay home, often with an inside track as many high school kids dream of playing inside Kinnick Stadium. Kirk Ferentz and his staff managed to do that once again. For context, Iowa State is ranked the No. 62 overall class.
Edge defender Drew Campbell, the younger brother of All-American LB Jack Campbell, can be a disruptive pass-rusher himself; he has good leverage, bend and effort. Known for developing offensive linemen, Iowa pulled out of Illinois two OTs with promising upside in high three-stars Will Nolan and Bodey McCaslin. – Haubert, ESPN
Iowa has also kept the bloodlines open by bringing in siblings of former greats. Drew Campbell, Jack Campbell’s brother, joins Devan Van Ness, Lukas Van Ness’ little brother, as a duo of defensive recruits looking to run back the older siblings’ successes.
Iowa stayed true to themselves with in-state domination and built their class through the trenches with offensive and defensive linemen that they could develop. The Hawkeyes are likely not done adding but the next additions could come from the transfer portal and add to a class that has already firmed up very nicely.
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