Iowa Football Recruiting: Five top targets who could be next to commit to Iowa in the 2025.

Recruitment: Five Top Target who could be next to commit to…

A couple of Iowa’s top targets in the 2025 class could be making decisions in the next couple of months. Here are five that could be candidates to do so.

The Iowa football staff is focused on retaining players from this year’s roster at the moment as the staff continues to survey the transfer portal to find players that will fit next year’s roster and be immediate impact players.

Iowa seems to be done with scholarships in the 2024 class at this moment, but you never know who might emerge on the radar.

With the 2024 class nearing its conclusion as signing day approaches, the Iowa staff is starting to shift its focus to the 2025 class. Iowa has two commitments in the class in Sycamore (Ill.) three-star linebacker Burke Gautcher and Pleasant Valley three-star offensive lineman Joey VanWetzinga.

The Hawkeyes lost a commitment earlier this fall from Cedar Rapids Kennedy four-star offensive lineman Nick Brooks, though Iowa still has a chance to get him back in the class, but things have been dead silent on that end.

As Iowa turns its attention to the 2025 class with high school recruiting, let’s take a look at five names we think could be the next commit for Iowa in the 2025 class.

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“The family culture is unmatched”: Why five-star kicker Tripp Woody’s decision to pick Iowa was ‘so easy’
Woody is the first addition to the Iowa special teams unit in the 2024 class.
Sean Bock
SEAN BOCK

Iowa Football Roster - Black Heart Gold Pants

Special teams is important for every college football program, but Iowa fans have come to appreciate special teams a bit more than most places with the success LeVar Woods’ unit has had the last couple of seasons.

That’s why Hawkeye Nation on Twitter was so excited when they learned that Iowa had earned a commitment from Waxhaw (NC) Charlotte Christian 2024 five-star kicker Tripp Woody as a preferred walk-on.

Woody, who is listed as a five-star recruit on Chris Sailing Kicking and the No. 35 overall kicker in the class of 2024, visited Iowa twice this fall for gameday visits and also in April of 2023, and the Hawkeyes felt like the obvious pick for Woody when he received a preferred walk-on opportunity from the Iowa staff.

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“Iowa just was the place I wanted to play football and go to school at,” Woody said of his decision. “The family culture is unmatched here and it feels like home. LeVar [Woods] made it really easy. He cares just as much about how I progress as a person just as I do on the football field which is what I love.”

Woody picked the Hawkeyes over a preferred walk-on opportunity from Rutgers, while Syracuse was also making a push for him.

Woody had always been aware of Iowa’s special teams production and how successful the kicker position has been in Iowa City, but there was a special connection he made with a former Iowa kicker in Keith Duncan.

Woody is from Waxhaw, which is five minutes away from Weddington, North Carolina, where Duncan has lived for most of his life.

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Woody and Duncan have both trained with kicking specialist Dan Orner, who also trains Iowa kicker Drew Stevens during the offseason. Once Woody made that connection with Duncan, it felt like things were falling into place for him.

“We really started talking after I visited Iowa last April and he had given me great advice and even at the camp was great finally meeting him,” Woody said of Duncan. “I call him my Waxhaw brother.”

Woody has also trained with Stevens in the past, and keeps in contact with the Iowa kicker.

Woody will take the same route that Stevens did when he committed to the Hawkeyes. Woody will enroll early next month and get a head start on the kicking competition. Woody sees that as an opportunity to learn behind guys like Stevens as well as Marshall Meeder, who has another season of eligibility if he wants to stay in Iowa.

“As a kicker, I’m the hardest working one out there,” Woody said of how he would describe himself as a kicker. “I care about doing my job the best I can so that the team can be successful. I just really want win and be reliable for my teammates.”

Iowa has Stevens in the season for two more seasons, and then the keys will be turned to Woody, more than likely. Woody had a great senior season for Charlotte Christian.

‌These were his stats:

– 51/61 (84%) Touchbacks on deep kickoffs (Long of 75)

– 10/14 FG( Long of 50) *2 blocked*

– 39.6 yards per punt (7 inside 20)

Woody will come to Iowa to be a kicker and also do kickoffs, an important position at Iowa.

“I’m excited to start at Iowa to learn and compete,” Woody said.

Woody is one of the two special teams pieces that Iowa plans to add to the 2024 class. Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz has said previously that Iowa intends to work with ProKick Australia, the same program that current Iowa punter Tory Taylor came up in, to land an Australian punter in the 2024 class that will come in and compete for the starting spot that will be open following Taylor’s departure after this season.

SNY’s Baseball Night in New York crew discuss if the Yankees are back to being THE Yankees after the trade for Juan Soto SNY’s Baseball Night in New York crew discuss if the Yankees are back to being THE Yankees after the trade for Juan Soto
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College football’s 10 season-defining games during 2023, ranked
These games defined the 2023 season.
Raymond Lucas Jr.
RAYMOND LUCAS JR.

The 2023 college football season has been an eventful one and there are still several games to be played, including two potential instant classics in the College Football Playoff semifinals. Bowl season is nearing arrival, which calls for a flashback to the regular season, conference championship weekend and the 10 games that defined the season up to this point.

Through the regular season, several teams looked the part of a national championship contender. Slowly, those teams began to fall from the unbeaten ranks. Florida State notably never did, but it had games or performances that would eventually keep it out of the College Football Playoff. Michigan and Washington were the only other undefeated Power Five teams and both had clutch performances in season-defining games en route to becoming conference champions. Texas and Alabama both suffered a loss, but won when it mattered most to earn a spot in the CFP. Those four teams and a handful of other teams are featured in the 10 season-defining games.

Other teams also defined the season due to the attention it garnered to begin the year. It was dubbed “The Deion Sanders effect,” and viewership flourished in September.

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Below are the 10 games that defined the 2023 campaign with bowl season on the horizon.

10. COLORADO AT TCU (SEPT. 2)

(Photo: Tim Heitman, USA TODAY Sports)
Result: Colorado won 45-42

For an entire month, Colorado was the talk of the sports world. That was made possible when it beat TCU in the season-opener, a game that will be rewatched for years due to the fireworks that were repeatedly on display from both the Buffaloes and Horned Frogs. That game didn’t have championship implications, but you can’t discuss the 2023 season without mentioning Colorado’s impact in September. The hype continued to soar as Colorado beat Nebraska and Colorado State in its ensuing games. Then Oregon head coach Dan Lanning gave his infamous speech. His team battered the Buffaloes, and hype began to ease. The decline was sharp, but September was transcendent. Just ask five-star offensive lineman Jordan Seaton, who committed to Colorado Thursday over the likes of Alabama, Ohio State, Tennessee and several others.

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9. OHIO STATE AT NOTRE DAME (SEPT. 23)

(Photo: Getty)
Result: Ohio State won 17-14

Ohio State’s victory over Notre Dame on the road was highly impressive at the time due to its physicality and ability to run the ball. The victory bolstered Ohio State’s case as the best team in the country for several weeks, which is important because beating an undefeated, battle-tested Buckeyes squad is what helped Michigan earn the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. In the end, Ohio State beating Notre Dame benefited Michigan more than the Buckeyes, but it did strengthen OSU’s case to reach a New Year’s Six bowl and it will face Missouri in the Cotton Bowl.

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8. MICHIGAN @ PENN STATE (NOV. 11)

(Photo: Alejandro Zúñiga, 247Sports)
Result: Michigan won 24-15

How would Michigan respond to Jim Harbaugh’s second suspension? The answer was delivered against Penn State as the Wolverines marched into enemy territory and left victorious. The win took Penn State out of the race for the Big Ten East and showcased Michigan’s poise. Michigan’s momentum soared after the victory and it has yet to lose a game as it would go on to beat Maryland, Ohio State and Iowa. Meanwhile, the loss left a call to action as Penn State head coach James Franklin fired offensive coordinator Mike Yurich. Penn State has since hired former Kansas offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki.

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7. OKLAHOMA AT OKLAHOMA STATE

(Photo: USA TODAY Sports)
Result: Oklahoma State won 27-24

Conference realignment has had a heavy impact on rivalry games in college football and if 2023 was the final Bedlam, Oklahoma State will hold bragging rights for eternity unless the programs meet in a bowl. Oklahoma State took control of its own destiny from Oklahoma with a 27-24 victory. It made it increasingly unlikely that Oklahoma and Texas would meet in a rematch in the Big 12 Championship Game, which would hold true. Instead, Oklahoma State met Texas for a shot at a conference title, but the Longhorns won in blowout fashion. Would Oklahoma have secured a second victory over Texas? Tough to tell. Oklahoma State took that scenario and threw it out the window.

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6. OREGON AT WASHINGTON (OCT. 14)

(Photo: Steven Bisig, USA TODAY Sports)
Result: Washington won 36-33

Initially, the biggest game in rivalry history between Washington and Oregon happened on Oct. 14. The Huskies and Ducks collided in an instant classic. Washington led 29-18 at one point then Oregon stormed back and took control. It was a couple of first downs away from securing the win, but Bo Nix threw an incompletion on fourth down, giving Washington life. Michael Penix Jr. delivered two clutch dimes, one of which was a go-ahead touchdown to take a 36-33 lead. Oregon kicker Camden Lewis missed a potential game-tying field goal as time expired. While Washington won, many left feeling like Oregon was the better team. It felt all but certain the two would meet again in the Pac-12 Championship Game.

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5. NORTH ALABAMA AT FLORIDA STATE (NOV.18) / FSU AT FLORIDA (NOV. 25)

(Photo: Greg Oyster, 247Sports)
Results: Florida State beat North Florida 58-13, Florida State beat Florida 24-15

Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis suffered a leg injury against North Alabama that would keep the Seminoles out of the College Football Playoff. FSU didn’t lose that game, but the College Football Playoff committee deemed it a non-national title contender without its starting quarterback. That narrative likely was formed the following weekend against Florida when Seminoles backup quarterback Tate Rodemaker struggled in a 24-15 win. Rodemaker was injured late in that game after being hit while sliding. He went into concussion protocol leading up to the ACC Championship Game against Louisville and was unavailable, leaving Brock Glenn as QB1, who threw for just 55 yards in a 16-6 victory.

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4. OHIO STATE AT MICHIGAN (NOV. 25)

(Photo: Patrick Barron / MGoBlog.com)
Result: Michigan won 30-24

Michigan and Ohio State have grown accustomed to playing in the biggest regular season game and the most recent meeting was another season-defining clash. Michigan beat Ohio State for the third straight season en route to a third straight Big Ten championship. The Buckeyes survived last season’s defeat with help from Utah, which beat USC in the Pac-12 Championship Game. It wasn’t as lucky this time around and will be on the outside looking in for the second time in three seasons. The win over Ohio State helped Michigan claim the No. 1 seed and its reward is facing Alabama in the Rose Bowl. While it isn’t an easy task, it’s better to be in the CFP rather than outside of it.

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3. OREGON VS. WASHINGTON IN PAC-12 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (DEC. 1)

(Photo: Icon Sportswire, Getty)
Result: Washington won 34-31

Washington entered the Pac-12 Championship Game as a two-score underdog. The clash was for a spot in the College Football Playoff and Oregon had been playing at a much higher level than its rival leading up to the rematch. But Friday was about the Huskies, which won 34-31 after leading 20-3 in the first half. The Huskies controlled the line of scrimmage and found success in the passing game as wide receivers Jalen McMillan and Rome Odunze both logged over 100 yards on the evening. Penix threw for 319 yards with a touchdown and interception. The win helped Washington land the No. 2 seed in the CFP. It battles No. 3 Texas in the Sugar Bowl, a rematch of 2022’s Alamo Bowl.

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2. TEXAS AT ALABAMA (SEPT. 9)

(Photo: Getty)
Result: Texas won 34-24

Last season was a case of “what could’ve been” after Texas fell to Alabama at home in a game that Quinn Ewers couldn’t finish. 2023 was different. Texas walked into Tuscaloosa, Ewers stayed healthy and the Longhorns secured the most impressive victory of the season. Texas later fell to Oklahoma, but it played well enough to win and perhaps should’ve, so the perception of the Longhorns didn’t change much. After Alabama beat Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, Texas fans celebrated because it felt unlikely that the committee would put Alabama in the playoff and not the team that beat it. That would turn out to be true, with Texas landing the No. 3 seed and Alabama No. 4. If both win on New Year’s Day, a rematch in the national championship game will become official.

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1. ALABAMA VS. GEORGIA IN SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (DEC. 2)

(Photo: Stuart McNair, 247Sports)
Result: Alabama beat Georiga 27-24

Entering the SEC Championship Game, Alabama hadn’t lost to Georgia under Kirby Smart on that stage. Georgia had won consecutive national titles with a third potentially brewing. Something had to give and Alabama came away victorious. The victory was among the most impressive that a team notched in 2023 and it helped the Crimson Tide hurdle Florida State in the College Football Playoff selection show the following day. Georgia will face Florida State in the Orange Bowl rather than compete for a third straight championship, while Alabama has a date with Michigan in the Rose Bowl for a spot in the national title gam