Right on the heels of the legendary career of Jack Campbell, the Iowa Hawkeyes are reloading their linebacker room with an absurd amount of talent. A group that has traditionally been strong for Iowa has arguably one of its most talented groups yet coming up when the 2024 recruiting class hits campus.
Three 2024 linebacker commits for the Hawkeyes were named to the Butkus Award preseason high school watch list. The three Iowa natives are Derek Weisskopf of Williamsburg High School, Preston Ries of Monticello High School, and Cam Buffington of Winfield-Mt. Union High School.
ππππππ πππππ πππππππππ π
– Derek Weisskopf (Williamsburg)
– Preston Ries (Monticello)
– Cam Buffington (Winfield-Mt.Union)
Rare air for these three Iowa High School Football Stars π₯ pic.twitter.com/YjN1HS6oZ9
— Bound Iowa (@Bound_IA) September 7, 2023
Derek Weisskopf is a four-star recruit who spurned the Iowa State Cyclones who also offered him. He is ranked as the 19th-best linebacker in the nation and the second-best linebacker in Iowa, per 247Sports. He is 6-foot-3, 200 pounds. Weisskopf will come in with the size to mold into exactly what Iowa wants.
Preston Ries is a three-star recruit who is ranked as the seventh-best athlete in the state of Iowa, per 247Sports. At 6-foot-2, 205 pounds with incredible athleticism, Ries could bulk up to be a sideline-to-sideline backer for Phil Parker’s defense. Ries had offers to rivals, Iowa State and Nebraska, but chose to stay home with the Hawkeyes.
Cam Buffington is a four-star recruit who is the 22nd-best linebacker in the nation and the third-best linebacker in Iowa, per 247Sports. Like Weisskopf, Buffington measures 6-foot-3, 200 pounds.
Iowa’s 2024 class is currently ranked No. 30 nationally by 247Sports, No. 32 by On3, and No. 35 by Rivals.
Contact/Follow usΒ @HawkeyesWireΒ on Twitter, and like our page onΒ FacebookΒ to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.
Follow Riley on Twitter:Β @rileydonald7
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Hawkeyes Wire operates independently, though, and this doesnβt influence our coverage.