Tag: Will Heldt

Deja Vu? Texas A&M will reportedly host Purdue transfer Edge

Former Purdue Edge Will Heldt will reportedly visit Texas A&M sometime this month

Texas A&M’s 2024 season ended disappointingly after losing to rival Texas 17-7, leading to another 8-4 finish, while the Longhorns are headed to the College Football Playoff in their first season as an SEC team.

While the Aggies will face USC in the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 27, head coach Mike Elko and his staff are busy this week after the transfer portal officially opened on Monday. Starting on Tuesday, several visits are lined up with some of the top athletes in the portal.

While two confirmed visits involving wide receivers Micah Hudson and Kevin Concepcion are scheduled for this week, ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel has confirmed that Purdue transfer Edge Will Heldt will visit College Station sometime this month.

Yes, the irony is noted, as Texas A&M defensive end Nic Scourton, who transferred to the Aggies after two seasons with the Boilermakers, has declared to for the 2025 NFL Draft. While Heldt and Scourton are different players on the field, Heldt is one of the top pass rushers in the portal and is coming off his best season yet.

While Purdue was one of the worst teams in the Big Ten this season, Heldt’s 56 tackles, five sacks, and ten tackles for loss are impressive on any defense, and it’s clear the Aggies need to replace Scourton’s production next season.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.

A look at the Iowa Hawkeyes’ 2023 visitors this weekend

Who all is visiting Iowa this weekend and what type of a chance do the Hawkeyes have with each?

As the countdown continues to the start of Iowa’s 2022 football season, that also means the Hawkeyes are beginning to zero in on the early December signing period for the 2023 class.

Iowa’s 2023 class already looks like a good one, but, of course, the Hawkeyes would love to continue adding pieces to it as the summer rolls along. According to Rivals and 247Sports, the Hawkeyes’ 10 commits comprise the nation’s No. 16 class.

Iowa’s 2023 class is currently regarded as the fifth-best Big Ten class by both Rivals and 247Sports as well. Meanwhile, On3 rates the Hawkeyes’ 2023 class thus far as the country’s No. 31 class and as the sixth-best in the Big Ten.

Who all is visiting Iowa this weekend and where do the Hawkeyes stand with each? Let’s take a look below.

2024 ATH Preston Ries earns second offer from the Iowa Hawkeyes

Class of 2024 in-state athlete Preston Ries out of Monticello High School picked up his second college offer from the Iowa Hawkeyes.

In-state class of 2024 product [autotag]Preston Ries[/autotag] picked up his second college offer from the Iowa Hawkeyes. The 6-foot-2, 205 pound athlete is from Monticello High School in Iowa.

After the offer from Iowa, Ries now holds offers from both Iowa and Iowa State. Nebraska and Wisconsin have shown interest as well but are yet to offer Ries.

Ries has played all over the gridiron for Monticello, including quarterback, running back and outside linebacker. According to 247Sports, Ries is a three-star recruit, the No. 74 athlete nationally and the fifth-best player from Iowa in the 2024 class. Rivals also ranks Ries as a three-star prospect.

The offer to Ries continues a recent flurry of offers in the 2024 class from the Hawkeye coaching staff. In addition to Ries, Iowa has offered athlete [autotag]Caleb Benning[/autotag] out of Westside High School in Omaha, Neb., athlete [autotag]Derek Weisskopf[/autotag] from Williamsburg High School in Iowa, tight end [autotag]Christian Bentancur[/autotag] out of Marian Central Catholic High School in Woodstock, Ill., running back [autotag]Jordan Marshall[/autotag] of Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, and offensive lineman [autotag]Ian Moore[/autotag] from New Palestine High School in Indiana.

Iowa has commitments in the 2024 class from East Buchanan High School offensive lineman Cody Fox in Winthrop, Iowa, and Winfield-Mt. Union High School linebacker Cam Buffington in Winfield, Iowa.

Now that both Iowa and Iowa State have offered Ries, it’s likely his recruitment will pick up in earnest from other power-five programs. Ries reported that his offer came after a conversation with Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz and assistant defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Seth Wallace. It indicates that Iowa views Ries’ future as a linebacker at the next level.

Here’s a look at Ries’ sophomore Hudl highlights at Monticello High School.

2023 DE/EDGE Jordan Allen grabs Iowa Hawkeyes offer

Iowa offered class of 2023 defensive end and EDGE Jordan Allen from Olathe, Kan.

Iowa identified another defensive player it would like to join its 2023 recruiting class. The Hawkeye coaching staff extended an offer to Olathe, Kan., defensive end and EDGE Jordan Allen out of Olathe South.

The 6-foot-4, 240 pound Sunflower State product is ranked as a three-star recruit by 247Sports, the nation’s No. 60 EDGE and the 11th-best player from Kansas. Rivals regards Allen as a three-star weak side defensive end and the No. 11 player from Kansas. Lastly, according to On3, Allen is a three-star EDGE, the No. 780 player overall in the On3 consensus, the No. 51 EDGE and the No. 7 player from Kansas.

Iowa State was the first school to offer Allen back on Feb. 9. South Dakota, New Mexico State, Kansas, Kansas State and Vanderbilt also offered Allen in the month of February. Then, Washington offered Allen last month before Iowa offered Allen this weekend.

Allen would be another nice defensive piece to add to the Hawkeyes’ early defensive commits. If Allen picked Iowa, he would join a list of commits that includes defensive end and EDGE Chase Brackney out of Cherry Creek High School in Colorado, linebacker Ben Kueter from Iowa City High School, defensive back John Nestor from Marist High School in Chicago and defensive lineman Maddux Borcherding-Johnson from Norwalk High School.

According to MaxPreps, Allen finished last season at Olathe South with 56 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, four sacks and one fumble recovery for the Falcons. Here’s a look at his junior season Hudl highlights at Olathe South.

Iowa Hawkeyes offer 2023 OL Joe Otting from Kansas

Iowa offered class of 2023 offensive lineman Joe Otting from Topeka, Kan.

Iowa continued a recent surge in offers to 2023 recruits by offering offensive lineman [autotag]Joe Otting[/autotag] from the Sunflower State. Otting is a 6-foot-4, 265 pound offensive lineman from Hayden High School in Topeka, Kan.

According to 247Sports, Otting is a three-star talent, the country’s No. 41 interior offensive lineman and the No. 7 player from the state of Kansas. Rivals also ranks Otting as a three-star recruit and as the No. 6 player from Kansas.

On3 rates Otting as a three-star prospect, the No. 35 interior offensive lineman and Kansas’ No. 5 player. In the On3 consensus rankings, Otting is the No. 698 player nationally, the No. 58 interior offensive lineman and the No. 7 player from Kansas.

Iowa represented Otting’s ninth college offer according to 247Sports. In addition to the Hawkeyes, Otting holds offers from Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and New Mexico. Iowa joined Baylor and Minnesota as power-five programs to offer Otting in April.

Over the past month, Iowa has offered a number of 2023 recruits. That list includes defensive end and edge [autotag]Will Heldt[/autotag], offensive lineman [autotag]Logan Howland[/autotag], safety and linebacker [autotag]Nigel Glover[/autotag], safety [autotag]King Mack[/autotag], edge rusher and linebacker [autotag]Michael Kilbane[/autotag], linebacker [autotag]Arvell Reese[/autotag] and athlete [autotag]Kooper Ebel[/autotag].

Iowa has seven commitments in the 2023 class: quarterback Marco Lainez III, defensive end and edge rusher Chase Brackney, athlete Alex Mota, linebacker Ben Kueter, offensive lineman Leighton Jones, defensive back John Nestor and defensive lineman Maddux Borcherding-Johnson. Iowa’s 2023 recruiting class is currently ranked as the country’s No. 11 class by 247Sports, the No. 12 class by Rivals and the No. 21 class by On3.

The Hawkeyes would love to add Joe Otting’s name to that list of commits and alongside Jones on the interior of its offensive line moving forward. Here’s a look at Otting’s junior season Hudl highlights.

Iowa Hawkeyes offer 2023 in-state athlete Kooper Ebel

Class of 2023 in-state prospect Kooper Ebel picked up an offer from the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Iowa already has three commitments from in-state products in its 2023 recruiting class. Now, Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz and his staff have targeted another talented player from the Hawkeye State.

Kooper Ebel picked up an offer from the Hawkeyes. The 6-foot-3, 200 pound athlete is out of Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School in Hartley, Iowa. Ebel is the tenth player from the state of Iowa to pick up an offer from the Hawkeyes in the 2023 class according to 247Sports’ offers list.

According to 247Sports, Ebel is a three-star recruit, the No. 90 athlete nationally and the No. 10 player from the state of Iowa in the 2023 class. Rivals also ranks Ebel as a three-star product.

Ebel’s recruitment has really begun to pick up steam. According to 247Sports, Iowa became the seventh school to offer Ebel. The others are Iowa State, Illinois State, Northern Iowa, South Dakota, South Dakota State and Vanderbilt. All of these schools have offered in the past three months.

South Dakota and South Dakota State were first on Feb. 4. Then, Illinois State and Northern Iowa offered on Feb. 10 and Feb. 26, respectively. Iowa State offered on March 26 and Vanderbilt offered on April 7.

The in-state commitments Iowa currently has in its 2023 class are Marion High School athlete Alex Mota, Iowa City High School linebacker Ben Kueter and Norwalk High School defensive lineman Maddux Borcherding-Johnson.

In the 2023 class, the Hawkeyes also have commitments from quarterback Marco Lainez III, defensive end and edge rusher Chase Brackney, offensive lineman Leighton Jones and defensive back John Nestor.

Iowa would love to add Ebel to its class. Here’s a look at what Ebel could bring to the table with a look at his Hudl highlights playing defense from his junior season at Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School.

Iowa Hawkeyes offer 2023 LB Arvell Reese from Ohio

Iowa offered 2023 linebacker Arvell Reese out of Glenville High School in Cleveland, Ohio.

Iowa has been busy targeting defensive players in the 2023 class. In the past month alone, the Hawkeye coaching staff has offered Nigel Glover, Will Heldt, Michael Kilbane and King Mack. Plus, Iowa picked up its seventh commitment in the 2023 cycle from defensive back John Nestor out of Marist High School in Chicago, Ill.

Arvell Reese became the latest defensive standout to pick up an offer from Iowa. The 6-foot-3, 210 pound linebacker is out of Glenville High School in Cleveland, Ohio.

On3 rates Reese as a four-star recruit and as the nation’s No. 196 player in the 2023 class, the 17th-best linebacker and the No. 6 player from Ohio. According to the On3 consensus rankings, Reese is the country’s No. 211 player overall, the No. 16 linebacker and the fifth-best player from the Buckeye State.

ESPN also ranks Reese as a four-star talent. According to ESPN, Reese is the No. 271 player nationally in the 2023 class, the No. 15 outside linebacker and the No. 5 player from Ohio.

247Sports lists Reese as a four-star prospect, too. Reese is rated as the No. 28 linebacker and the No. 6 player from Ohio in 247Sports’ rankings. The 247Sports composite rankings have Reese as the No. 378 player nationally, the No. 34 linebacker and the eighth-best player from Ohio. Lastly, according to Rivals, Reese is a three-star recruit and the 21st highest-rated player from Ohio.

Reese currently holds 24 offers. Along with Iowa, that list includes fellow Big Ten schools Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue and Rutgers.

Here’s a look at Reese’s highlights from his junior season at Glenville High School courtesy of Hudl.

Iowa offers 2023 DE/EDGE prospect Will Heldt from Indiana

Class of 2023 prospect Will Heldt is the latest to receive an offer from the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Iowa is already off to a fast start in its 2023 recruiting class. According to 247Sports, the Hawkeyes have secured commitments from quarterback [autotag]Marco Lainez III[/autotag], athlete [autotag]Alex Mota[/autotag], edge rusher [autotag]Chase Brackney[/autotag], linebacker [autotag]Ben Kueter[/autotag], offensive lineman [autotag]Leighton Jones[/autotag] and defensive lineman [autotag]Maddux Borcherding-Johnson[/autotag].

Now, after a weekend visit, Iowa and defensive line coach Kelvin Bell have extended an offer to class of 2023 prospect [autotag]Will Heldt[/autotag] out of Carmel High School in Carmel, Ind. It’s the 13th offer overall for Heldt.

According to 247Sports, Heldt is a three-star edge rusher. The 6-foot-5, 230 pound recruit rates as the nation’s No. 58 edge and the 13th-best prospect from Indiana according to 247Sports. In Rivals’ rankings, Heldt is also listed as a three-star recruit and as the No. 9 player from Indiana.

Heldt also holds offers from Akron, Ball State, Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Iowa State, Miami (Ohio), Minnesota, Northwestern, Ohio, Purdue, Wake Forest and Western Michigan.

It’s been a busy past few months in the offers department for Heldt. Central Michigan was the first to offer Heldt on Dec. 9, 2021. That was followed by January offers from Miami (Ohio), Ball State, Western Michigan, Akron, Bowling Green, Ohio, Iowa State, Purdue and Wake Forest. Minnesota was Heldt’s lone February offer on Feb. 25 before the latest offers from Northwestern on March 10 and Iowa’s offer here.

Will Heldt’s Recruiting Profile

Rating

Stars Overall State Position
247 3 N/A 13 58
Rivals 3 N/A 9 N/A
ESPN N/A N/A N/A N/A
On3 Recruiting N/A N/A N/A N/A
247 Composite N/A N/A N/A N/A

Vitals

Hometown Carmel, Ind.
Projected Position DE/EDGE
Height 6-5
Weight 230
Class 2023

Recruitment

  • Offered on March 26
  • visit on March 25

Film

Here’s a look at Heldt’s junior season Hudl film.

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