3-star EDGE Kenneth Merrieweather commits to Iowa, becomes 16th 2023 pledge

Kenneth Merrieweather, a three-star 2023 EDGE out of Detroit, Mich., committed to the Iowa Hawkeyes, becoming the 16th pledge in 2023.

Iowa and defensive line coach Kelvin Bell added another talented piece to its defensive line, earning a commitment from class of 2023 EDGE Kenneth Merrieweather out of Martin Luther King High School in Detroit, Mich. The decision from Merrieweather is sure to delight Hawkeye defensive coordinator Phil Parker as well.

“First I want to thank god for everything he has done for me in this process. I want to thank all family, friends and coaches who supported me throughout the way. I appreciate every coach and trainers who helped me get developed on every level to reach the dream I always wanted to live. Thanks to every school who gave me an opportunity. I’m just a kid from the eastside trying to make it!! Let’s keep it black and gold💛🖤 COMMITTED!!!” Merrieweather wrote in his Instagram announcement.

The 6-foot-3, 245 pound Merrieweather is rated as a three-star commit by 247Sports, On3 and Rivals. According to 247Sports, Merrieweather is the nation’s No. 50 EDGE and the No. 14 player from Michigan. In the 247Sports composite rankings, Merrieweather checks in as the No. 892 player nationally, the No. 75 EDGE and the No. 16 player from Michigan.

On3 ranks Merrieweather as the No. 75 EDGE in the 2023 class and the No. 15 player from Michigan. In the On3 consensus rankings, Merrieweather is the No. 852 player nationally, the No. 66 EDGE and the No. 18 player from Michigan. Lastly, according to Rivals, Merrieweather is the No. 18 player from Michigan in the 2023 class.

He chose the Hawkeyes over fellow finalist Purdue. Some of Merrieweather’s other notable offers included Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Oregon, Pittsburgh and Syracuse.

Now, Merrieweather joins a defensive line class for Iowa that also features three-star EDGE Chase Brackney out of Cherry Creek High School in Colorado, three-star defensive lineman Maddux Borcherding-Johnson out of Norwalk High School in Iowa and three-star EDGE David Caulker of North High School in Des Moines.

Prior to Merrieweather’s commitment, the Hawkeyes’ 2023 class was rated as the No. 16 class nationally by Rivals, the No. 18 class by 247Sports, and the No. 22 class by On3. With those respective team rankings, Iowa has the No. 4 class among Big Ten teams across each of the three ranking services.

Here’s a look at Merrieweather’s junior season Hudl highlights at Martin Luther King High School, a peek into his full recruiting profile and Iowa’s complete list of 2023 commits.

Kenneth Merrieweather grabs third 247Sports crystal ball prediction to the Iowa Hawkeyes

247Sports’ Steve Wiltfong put in the third crystal ball prediction for 2023 EDGE Kenneth Merrieweather to the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Steve Wiltfong, 247Sports’ director of football recruiting, submitted the third crystal ball prediction for class of 2023 EDGE Kenneth Merrieweather to commit to the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Merrieweather was on hand for the Hawkeyes’ big recruiting weekend and apparently the intel Wiltfong heard coming out of the weekend was enough to swing the pendulum in Iowa’s direction. According to 247Sports, Merrieweather’s top two choices are Iowa and Purdue. That duo is listed as “warm” in his interests section.

Wiltfong joins fellow 247Sports colleagues Allen Trieu and Sean Bock of HawkeyeInsider as experts that have crystal ball predictions in for Merrieweather to the Hawkeyes. Trieu submitted his crystal ball prediction on April 24 and Bock submitted his on April 28.

The fact that Wiltfong felt ready to join those two projections following Merrieweather’s official visit to Iowa seems significant. In addition to Iowa and Purdue, Merrieweather also holds Power Five offers from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Oregon, Pittsburgh, and Syracuse.

According to 247Sports, the 6-foot-3, 235 pound EDGE out of Martin Luther King High School in Detroit, Mich., is a three-star recruit, the No. 50 EDGE and the No. 14 player from Michigan. On3 rates Merrieweather as a three-star talent, the No. 75 EDGE and the No. 15 player from Michigan.

Over the weekend, both Tom Kakert and Blair Sanderson of Rivals put in FutureCasts for Merrieweather to Iowa as well. According to Rivals, Merrieweather is a three-star recruit and the No. 18 player from Michigan.

Thanks to recent June commitments from offensive tackles Trevor Lauck and Cannon Leonard, running back Kendrick Raphael and EDGE David Caulker, the Hawkeyes currently own the nation’s No. 17 recruiting class according to 247Sports and the No. 20 class according to Rivals.

Here’s a look at Merrieweather’s junior season Hudl highlights at Martin Luther King High School, a glance at his full recruiting profile and the Hawkeyes’ entire list of 2023 commits.

Iowa Hawkeyes set for biggest recruiting weekend of the year headlined by big names

The Iowa Hawkeyes have their biggest recruiting weekend of the year as they welcome 22 potential 2023 recruits to campus. Here’s the guests.

This Friday to Sunday will be the biggest and arguably most important recruiting weekend for the Hawkeyes this year. They are welcoming 22 potential recruits to campus that are part of the 2023 class. Of the 22 visiting, nine are committed to the Hawkeyes and 13 still have yet to decide where they will call home next fall.

The group is headlined by five-star tackle Kadyn Proctor, who is rated No. 10 nationally in the 247Sports composite rankings. He has narrowed his recruitment down to Iowa and the Alabama Crimson Tide. This weekend could play a big factor into his decision.

Another important visitor is quarterback commit Marco Lainez III. His presence could be very beneficial to those uncommitted and be a proponent for the Hawkeyes.

Iowa will have many others on campus as well. Let’s get familiar with the cohort descending upon Iowa City this weekend. Included is each recruit’s position, high school, 247Sports rating, and their measurables.

Iowa Hawkeyes offer 2023 ATH Zach Lutmer, earn crystal ball prediction

The Iowa Hawkeyes offered class of 2023 athlete Zach Lutmer and picked up a 247Sports crystal ball prediction from Sean Bock.

Iowa extended an offer to class of 2023 athlete Zach Lutmer. The 6-foot-1, 190 pound athlete is an in-state product out of Central Lyon High School in Rock Rapids, Iowa.

According to 247Sports, Lutmer is a three-star recruit, the nation’s 147th athlete overall and the No. 17 player from the state of Iowa. Rivals and On3 both list Lutmer as a safety.

The offer from the Hawkeyes represents Lutmer’s first FBS offer according to 247Sports. He also holds offers from South Dakota and South Dakota State and has drawn interest from Iowa State and Minnesota.

Shortly after he received his offer, HawkeyeInsider’s Sean Bock of 247Sports submitted a crystal ball prediction for Lutmer to land with Iowa. HawkeyeReport’s Blair Sanderson and Tom Kakert each issued Rivals FutureCasts for Lutmer to choose Iowa as well.

Lutmer discussed his Hawkeye offer with Sanderson, noting he was surprised the offer came before a summer camp visit. Lutmer said he is “super interested in Iowa” and that the coaching staff feels he can play any of the Hawkeyes’ three safety positions.

Sanderson also touched on some of Lutmer’s statistical numbers from this past season at Central Lyon High School in his breakdown of the offer.

A versatile, multisport athlete, Lutmer finished his junior year with 1,016 yards passing, 1,246 yards rushing, and 30 touchdowns on offense and 46.5 tackles and four interceptions on defense, which is where he likely projects in college. – Sanderson, HawkeyeReport.

The Hawkeyes already have one secondary player committed in their 2023 class, defensive back John Nestor out of Marist High School in Chicago, Ill. Nestor committed to the Hawkeyes on April 4, but Iowa would surely love to add a pledge from Lutmer to pair with Nestor.

Here’s a look at Lutmer’s junior season Hudl highlights at Central Lyon High School.