Iowa football recruiting: Detailed analysis of the 2024 class (apart from the mystery punter)
GOOD NEWS: Iows head coach welcomes another unstopable QB from his rivals.
IOWA CITY, Iowa: With just a few days left until the early signing period, Iowa’s class of 2024 is all but set.
By the middle of July, Iowa had recruited 20 pledges. Since then, they have added an Australian punter, whose identity will be revealed on Wednesday. With those 21 additions, Iowa will have 85 scholarships available for the upcoming campaign. That is prior to any existing players returning for an extra year, announcing their plans to play in the NFL, or entering the portal.
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A punter, three linebackers, two defensive backs, four offensive linemen, two tight ends, four defensive linemen, two running backs, and two receivers make up the incoming freshman class. Gavin Hoffman, a tight end, and the new punter will report in January.
With the exception of the mystery punter, here is a breakdown of the 20 committed players who will be signing their letters of intent on Wednesday. The Hawkeyes are ranked No. 33 in the 247Sports Composite.
Cody Fox, OL East Buchanan (Winthrop, Iowa) High school and hometown
No. 2 Iowa (four-star), No. 12 IOL, and No. 254 overall are the rankings from 247Sports.com.
Notable: Fox has been steadfast in his commitment to Iowa since his freshman year. Taylor, his older brother, was a walk-on offensive lineman, but Fox, the younger (6 feet 5, 270 pounds), has great physical attributes and potential. Fox was a first-team all-state player in high school, where he played offensive and defensive line. Despite facing multiple double-teams, Fox produced 21 sacks and 197 tackles, including 50 for loss, in his final three seasons as a defensive lineman. Additionally, in order to make it to the state wrestling heavyweight playoffs, he postponed surgery for a torn meniscus in February.
Assigned on June 19, 2021
Will Nolan, OT John Hersey (Arlington Heights, Ill.) is his hometown and high school.
Ranking: No. 8 Illinois (four-star), No. 26 OT, and No. 306 overall.
Notable: Nolan committed to Iowa last spring, ahead of Indiana, Iowa State, and Vanderbilt, at the perfect time. Nolan (6-6, 275), a consensus four-star prospect now, transformed his strong play as a junior into notable development as a blocker as a senior. He flattens a lot of opponents in the running game, even pancaking multiple defenders in one play. In Class 7A, he received honorable mention all-state recognition.
Asserted: 8 May 2023
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LB Derek Weisskopf
High school and hometown: Williamsburg, Iowa
346th overall, 29th LB, and 3rd Iowa (four-star) in the rankings
Notable: Weisskopf (6-3, 205), the class 3A state champs’ quarterback, did it all. In addition to running (317 yards, two scores) and passing (1,123 yards, 20 touchdowns), he also grabbed 14 passes for 212 yards and four touchdowns. On defense, he added 4 interceptions, including a touchdown, and 58.5 tackles. Weisskopf won the state high jump title (6-7) and placed second in the shot put (55-5 3/4) while averaging 19.2 points per game in one of the more difficult midsized conferences in the state. For Weisskopf, Iowa had to fight Wisconsin, but he made his decision while still a junior in high school.
As of April 20, 2022, committed
Cam Buffington, LB
Winfield, Iowa’s Winfield-Mount Union is the home town and high school.
Ranking: No. 4 Iowa (three-star), No. 47 LB, and No. 515 overall.
Notable: Buffington was an all-around danger for his 8-man football team, catching 22 catches for 613 yards (27.9 ypc) and 11 scores in addition to rushing 118 times for 1,362 yards (11.5 ypc) and 25 touchdowns. He also had four sacks and 106.5 tackles, with 18.5 of those being for loss. A multisport athlete, he averages close to 20 points and 10 rebounds every game. In the spring, he cleared 21 feet 8 inches to win the state long jump championship. Buffington (6-4, 225) could be able to start on special teams straight away.
Assigned date: July 26, 2021
TE Gavin Hoffman
Blue Valley Northwest (Overland Park, Kansas) is the home town and high school.
Ranking: No. 2 Kansas (three-star), No. 32 TE, and No. 528 overall
Notable: Following the program’s big recruiting weekend in June, the Hawkeyes challenged Missouri, Arizona State, and Auburn for Hoffman before securing his services. After an outstanding high school career, Hoffman (6-5, 220) will enter early. Over the last two seasons, he has 60 catches for 1,227 yards, including a school-record eighteen touchdown receptions. Hoffman, who is 40 1/2 inches tall, was a finalist for Class 6A player of the year and was chosen all-state in every class.
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As promised on June 27, 2023
DE’s Chima Chineke
Plano East High School (Plano, Texas) is the home town.
Ranking: No. 90 Texas (three stars), No. 37 edge, and No. 539 overall.
Notable: Chineke (6-4 1/2, 240) is an all-district pick with skill, power, and quickness that will all come through as he puts on weight. Chineke totaled 48 tackles this season, including eight for loss, and 5.5 sacks. After many weeks of deliberation following his formal visit, Chineke chose Iowa over Texas Tech and Kansas. Given his potential for growth, he might play defensive tackle or defensive end. His video suggests that he may be quite good at either.
As of July 19, 2023, committed
DE Joseph Anderson
Westminster Christian Academy (St. Louis) is the high school and hometown.
Ranking: No. 10 Missouri (three stars), No. 38 edge, and No. 578 overall.
Notable: Anderson (6-5, 210) is a phenomenal athlete with tremendous potential who shares similarities with former Iowa defensive end Chauncey Golston once his body matures into the position. However, Anderson’s intensity is uncommon. In the triple jump, he cleared 47 feet, 4 inches to gain All-American status, while in the long jump, he cleared 22-6 1/2. Anderson had a total of 65 tackles on the football field, 23 of which were for loss, along with seven sacks. For Anderson, the Hawkeyes defeated Kansas and Nebraska, and they’ll be happy they did in three years.
Due on July 3, 2023
Bodey McCaslin, OT
St. Charles East High School (St. Charles, Ill.) is the home town.
Ranking: No. 16 Illinois (three stars), No. 47 overtime, and No. 594 overall
Notable: McCaslin chose the Hawkeyes over Penn State, Kansas State, and Nebraska, giving Iowa an offensive lineman from the crucial Chicagoland. McCaslin (6-5, 270) is an aggressive player with an expansive frame and a vicious attitude on the field. McCaslin produced three believable blocks in one play.
As promised: 3 May 2023
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DE Drew Campbell
High school and hometown: Cedar Falls, Iowa
Ranking: No. 5 Iowa (three stars), No. 41 edge, and No. 628 overall
Notable: Drew Campbell, an Iowa defensive end, is the brother of former Iowa All-America linebacker Jack Campbell. Campbell has 64 tackles this season, including 21.5 for loss, and six sacks. Campbell (6-4, 225) recorded 52 tackles as a junior, 20 of which were for loss, and nine sacks. The second Campbell brother was drawn to Iowa City by familiarity, but Iowa State put up a fight and it wasn’t an easy recruitment for Iowa.
As promised: 1 April 2023
James Resar, quarterback; hometown and high school: Jacksonville, Florida’s Bishop Kenny
Ranking: No. 96 Florida (three-star), No. 57 quarterback, and No. 685 overall
Notable: Resar rejected advances from ACC schools to stay with the Hawkeyes and instead committed to Iowa due to the university’s ethos. In 10 games this year, Resar (6-4, 205) completed 61.9 percent of his throws for 1,582 yards and 15 touchdowns. In addition, he ran for 356 yards and four touchdowns. Resar ran for six touchdowns and completed 1,656 yards of passing as a junior. Resar is a gifted athlete with exceptional speed; he can run the 100 meters in 10.67 seconds. He also has a large arm.
As promised: September 11, 2022
Brevin Doll, RB ADM Senior (Adel, Iowa) is his hometown and high school.
Ranking: No. 6 Iowa (three-star), No. 53 RB, and No. 734 overall.
Notable: Doll(6-0,185) only played in a few games this season due to an injury, despite scoring six touchdowns and rushing for 347 yards. He gained 1,475 yards and 27 touchdowns (8.2 yards per carry) on 179 rushes as a junior. He also added 33 catches for 640 yards and six scores, along with two more on returns. Doll missed his opportunity to win the state 200-meter dash championship again due to a leg ailment in the spring. Doll won the competition in 21.89 seconds as a sophomore. In 10.74 seconds, he was second in the 100 meters as well.
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As of April 16, 2023, committed
Athlete Preston Ries attended Monticello High School in Iowa.
Positioning: 918th overall, 79th among athletes, and 8th among Iowa (three-star)
Notable: Ries, one of Iowa’s most versatile players, led all classes in touchdowns scored, with 33 coming from the ground, with 57 in all. Ries (6-2, 195) gained 1,926 yards through rushes and 2,559 yards through passes. In addition, he had five sacks and 97 tackles, of which 27.5 were for loss. In basketball past season, he scored 23.1 points per game on average. Ries will start off at linebacker in his career.
Asserted: 7 May 2022
Reece Vander Zee, WR Central Lyon (Rock Rapids, Iowa) is his hometown and high school.
Positioning: 950th overall, 122nd wide receiver, and 9th Iowa (three-star)
Notable: Vander Zee, who will play receiver at Iowa, quarterbacked Central Lyon to a Class 2A runner-up finish. He completed 74.4 percent of his passes for 1,288 yards, and he rushed for 1,767 yards (9.3 ypc) and 24 touchdowns. In addition, he had 2 touchdown receptions from passes and 41.5 tackles. All-around athlete Vander Zee (6-5, 190) placed in state track hurdles events, averaged 17.8 points per game in basketball last year, and is a superb pitcher. Last summer, he had 109 strikeouts and just 18 walks with a 1.58 ERA. Iowa beat out in-state rival Iowa State for his vote.
As promised on June 27, 2023
Iowa makes a commitment Despite having injuries during his final year, Xavier Williams still managed to rush for eight touchdowns. (The Athletic/Scott Dochterman)
Xavier Williams, RB Lake Central (St. John, Ind.) is his hometown and high school.
Ranking: No. 12 Indiana (three-star), No. 68 RB, and No. 950 overall
Notable: Williams ran for 669 yards and eight touchdowns in just five games during his senior year due to a knee ailment. Williams (6-0, 220-yards) gained 1,451 yards and 13 touchdowns on 223 carries in his junior year. Williams, who was strong, evasive, and physically gifted, chose Iowa over many MAC institutions.
As promised: 15 April 2023
K.J. Parker, WR Immaculate Conception (Elmhurst, Ill.) is his hometown and high school.
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Ranking: No. 22 Illinois (three-star), No. 84 wide receiver, and No. 950 overall
Notable: Parker (5-11, 165), a two-way threat, will play receiver and choose Iowa over Cincinnati and Wisconsin. This autumn, Parker hauled in 40 catches for 742 yards and six touchdowns. Parker recorded 31 tackles, four interceptions, and thirteen passes defensed in his role as a defensive back. Parker may return kicks as well.
Ascertained on June 29, 2023
CB Jaylen Watson
Central Catholic High School, Toledo, Ohio, is the home town.
Ranking: No. 40 Ohio (three stars), No. 95 CB, and No. 1,032 overall.
Notable: Watson (5-11, 165) relocated from Belleville, Michigan to Toledo, Ohio, and became a first-team All-Ohio Division III wide receiver. He may be Iowa’s most underappreciated recruit. In addition to scoring five more points on the ground, he caught 62 catches for 1,101 yards and nine touchdowns. Watson, a defensive back by trade who is the cousin of former Iowa running back Fred Russell, will benefit from his quickness and quickness. Watson chose Iowa over West Virginia, Cincinnati, Maryland, and Minnesota.
As promised: 8 July 2023
Josh Janowski, IOL Lincoln-Way East (Tinley Park, Ill.) is his hometown and high school.
Ranking: No. 23 Illinois (three stars), No. 88 IOL, and No. 1,103 overall
Notable: Janowski’s position undervalues his abilities. Tom Lemming, a veteran recruiting evaluator, ranked Janowski as the top center prospect in Chicagoland and among the top three in the country. Janowski (6-2, 275) is the ideal combination of strength, toughness, and size to play guard or center for Iowa. Janowski, a first-team Class 8A all-state selection, chose Iowa ahead of the spring recruiting frenzy, despite competition from many MAC schools.
As promised: January 30, 2023
Michael Burt, TE Creighton Prep (Omaha, Neb.) is his hometown and high school.
Ranking: No. 10 Nebraska (three-star), No. 62 TE, and No. 1,143 overall
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Notable: Burt was kept away from the home-state Huskers, who extended a late offer to him, by Iowa’s protracted pursuit of him. Burt (6-5 1/2, 226) visited both campuses before deciding on the Hawkeyes. Burt caught 15 receptions in fall, gaining 270 yards and three scores. As a junior, he caught 11 receptions for 187 yards and a touchdown.
Given on June 22, 2023
Devan Kennedy, edge; hometown: Brophy College Prep (Phoenix); high school:
Ranking: No. 25 Arizona (three stars), No. 89 edge, and No. 1,290 overall
Notable: Kennedy (6-3, 240) is a raw talent who has only played football in two seasons of high school, but he exudes potential. Jimmy Kennedy’s younger son, who played defensive end at Penn State, finished with 49 tackles, 8.5 of which were for loss, and 4.5 sacks. He made two forced fumbles as well. Kennedy chose Iowa over a late offer from Penn State and Oregon State.
As promised: 26 July 2023
Godfrey, Rashad, CB
High school and hometown: Armwood (Seffner, Fla.)
Ranking: No. 192 Florida (three stars), No. 134 CB, and No. 1,468 overall
Notable: Godfrey(6-2,185) had two fumble recoveries, five passes defensed, and 44 tackles before season’s end. Among others, he chose Iowa over South Florida and Duke. Because of his length, he might start his career at cornerback.
