Tag: Joey VanWetzinga

Who might be next in the Iowa Hawkeyes’ 2025 class?

Now that lineman Joey VanWetzinga has committed, who are several names that might be next for Iowa in the 2025 class?

The Iowa Hawkeyes have their first commit in the 2025 recruiting class. In-state lineman Joey VanWetzinga announced over the weekend his commitment to the Hawks.

The 6-foot-2, 255 pound lineman from Pleasant Valley High School in Bettendorf chose the Hawkeyes less than two weeks after receiving his offer. He was also receiving interest from Illinois, Iowa State, Missouri and Wisconsin.

It’s still up in the air whether he will be an interior offensive lineman or play on the defensive line for the Hawkeyes.

“Coach Ferentz said that he doesn’t know which side of the ball he’s going to see me, but they wanted to offer me a scholarship. Based on my weight goals and where I’m at by the end of my senior year, that’s probably where I’ll land,” VanWetzinga told Hawkeye Insider after committing.

VanWetzinga’s brother, Rusty, was a preferred walk-on in the 2023 cycle for Iowa. Rusty turned down a scholarship opportunity with Southern Illinois for the chance to join the Hawkeyes.

Now that Joey VanWetzinga has broken the ice on Iowa’s 2025 class, who are some names to keep an eye on that might be next?

Take a look below at some of Iowa’s early top 2025 targets.

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Joey VanWetzinga gets 2025 party started for Iowa Hawkeyes

The 2025 party has begun for the black and gold! Pleasant Valley lineman Joey VanWetzinga is the first 2025 commit to the Iowa Hawkeyes.

It’s time to get the party started. Joey VanWetzinga made sure that’s the case, announcing his pledge in the 2025 class to the Iowa Hawkeyes over the weekend.

Offered by Iowa on June 20, VanWetzinga didn’t even need a full two weeks to make up his mind that joining the Hawkeyes is the right move for him. Per David Eickholt of Hawkeye Insider, the 6-foot-2, 255 pound lineman actually has the opportunity to play either offensive line or defensive line in Iowa City.

“Coach Ferentz said that he doesn’t know which side of the ball he’s going to see me, but they wanted to offer me a scholarship. Based on my weight goals and where I’m at by the end of my senior year, that’s probably where I’ll land,” VanWetzinga told Eickholt.

Now, VanWetzinga is the first domino in the 2025 class for the black and gold.

VanWetzinga registered 23 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks last season with Pleasant Valley. As typifies many Hawkeye recruitments, VanWetzinga is also a standout wrestler.

With the 2025 class still in its early evaluation phase, VanWetzinga isn’t ranked yet across any of the four major recruiting services. That will change in due time, but the interest he’s drawn from Power 5 programs is a good indication of the upside FBS teams see in VanWetzinga. VanWetzinga has also drawn interest from Illinois, Iowa State and Wisconsin.

As VanWetzinga laid out to Inside The Hawkeyes’ Rob Howe, the Bettendorf product is comfortable becoming the first commit in Iowa’s 2025 class.

“I had a talk with my family and went with my gut feeling knowing that I was a good fit for Iowa. I think it shows my commitment and dedication towards the program that has given me an opportunity to play at the next level,” VanWetzinga told Howe of why Iowa was the right fit.

Joey’s older brother, Rusty VanWetzinga, turned down a scholarship opportunity with Southern Illinois for the chance to join Iowa’s program as a preferred walk-on in the 2023 class.

Here’s a look at VanWetzinga’s sophomore Hudl tape. Plus, his full recruiting profile below.

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Iowa earns 247Sports crystal ball prediction for 2025 in-state lineman

Joey VanWetzinga, a 2025 in-state product from Pleasant Valley High, has been crystal balled to the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Iowa football has shown time and time again that they will not let the number of stars on a screen deter them from being interested in a player. One of the best programs at developing talent from under-the-radar recruits, Iowa makes its money off identifying undervalued talent.

They may have just found another diamond in the rough with 2025 in-state lineman Joey VanWetzinga. The Hawkeyes obviously like what they saw from the Pleasant Valley High School product at their offensive and defensive line camp, issuing VanWetzinga his first collegiate offer.

While the 6-foot-2, 255-pound recruit from Bettendorf has drawn interest from schools such as Illinois, Iowa State, Missouri, and Wisconsin, the Hawkeyes were the first to pull the trigger on an offer.

The early offer from Iowa and the fact that his brother Rusty VanWetzinga is also a walk-on at Kinnick has seemingly made an impression on the young lineman.

Iowa picked up a 247Sports crystal ball prediction for Joey VanWetzinga to eventually land with Iowa. Whenever the Hawkeye Insider is ready to make a projection, it’s worth noting. Bock has a 94% all-time prediction success rate.

Here’s a look at Joey VanWetzinga’s sophomore Hudl highlights with Pleasant Valley High School. Plus, his full recruiting profile below.

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Iowa offers 2025 in-state lineman Joey VanWetzinga

Iowa doled out the first college offer to in-state lineman Joey VanWetzinga out of Pleasant Valley High School.

Iowa made sure its interest was known early in the process for class of 2025, in-state lineman Joey VanWetzinga. After an impressive showing at the Hawkeyes‘ offensive and defensive line camp to start this week, Iowa handed out an offer to the Pleasant Valley High School product.

The Hawkeyes also represent the first offer for the 6-foot-2, 255 pound recruit from Bettendorf. Per Rivals, VanWetzinga is also drawing interest from Illinois, Iowa State, Missouri and Wisconsin. Still, it’s Iowa that illustrated just how seriously it’s taking VanWetzinga’s recruitment here early on.

VanWetzinga plays center, defensive tackle and defensive end at Pleasant Valley High School. Projecting forward, he looks like someone that could be a menace along the Hawkeyes’ defensive line.

Here’s a look at his pass-rushing skills from his recent rip to Wisconsin’s camp.

He’s also the younger brother of preferred walk-on arrival Rusty VanWetzinga in the 2023 class. Rusty VanWetzinga turned down a scholarship opportunity with Southern Illinois for the chance to join Iowa’s program as a PWO.

Rusty VanWetzinga was an all-state linebacker for three seasons with Pleasant Valley, but it was the opportunity as a walk-on fullback inside Kinnick Stadium that was too good of to pass up on. The 6-foot-1, 230 pound Hawkeye shared his excitement that his younger brother had picked up the Iowa offer.

It will be interesting to watch how Joey VanWetzinga’s recruitment evolves. There’s already a nice collection of other Power 5 schools interested, but the early offer from the Hawkeyes and the draw to play with his brother feels like it will be tough to pass up.

Here’s a look at Joey VanWetzinga’s sophomore Hudl highlights with Pleasant Valley High School. Plus, his full recruiting profile below.

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