2017 Class - A.J. Epenesa & Juan Harris

[hawkeyeguy69]

One is a commit, and a much more solid commit after visiting over a dozen high-level programs. One has Iowa high on his list, and is a major legacy prospect and has seen his share of campuses. Both are 4+ star players.

If both were to commit - now - at the same time, with the current national attention we are receiving with our current recruiting(which is high now, but will taper), would you not believe that would be a boon for the 2017 recruiting class? Notice I say NOW, and not 2 months from now after the summer recruiting drops way off...

I guess the pressure is on A.J. here... But I am thinking if we had both Harris & Epenesa, that would launch our 2017 class off the charts from the get go. Immediately, we would have a high ranking, and draw lots of eye balls from 2017 recruits.

Am I wrong in thinking this wouldn't ignite the 2017 class??



Usual disclaimer...Yes, ratings are inexact. But the higher the ranking, the better the odds over a large sampling.

 

[cidhawkeye]

It would be a very good start, not sure off the charts but very good. If you could share the national attention that Iowa is getting for their current recruiting that would be interesting to read. I haven't seen much on a national level but I also haven't looked much.

 

[PHXIowaClub]

Current national attention? Did ESPN write an article about how Iowa is ticking off MAC coaches for stealing all these studs?

In all seriousness, it would be a great start to the class but Iowa would still need to find a way to win 9+ games in the fall to keep momentum going.

 

[Rustys Dad]

One is a commit, and a much more solid commit after visiting over a dozen high-level programs. One has Iowa high on his list, and is a major legacy prospect and has seen his share of campuses. Both are 4+ star players.

If both were to commit - now - at the same time, with the current national attention we are receiving with our current recruiting(which is high now, but will taper), would you not believe that would be a boon for the 2017 recruiting class? Notice I say NOW, and not 2 months from now after the summer recruiting drops way off...

I guess the pressure is on A.J. here... But I am thinking if we had both Harris & Epenesa, that would launch our 2017 class off the charts from the get go. Immediately, we would have a high ranking, and draw lots of eye balls from 2017 recruits.

Am I wrong in thinking this wouldn't ignite the 2017 class??



Usual disclaimer...Yes, ratings are inexact. But the higher the ranking, the better the odds over a large sampling.

Any momentum you can get would be positive... meaning others could look at Iowa and say, "well, these two highly-ranked kids just gave verbals to the Hawks." But the bottomline, is this program simply needs to start winning. 6-6 or 7-5 is not going to do it. Would love to see both of these guys in black and gold so here is hoping that AJ continues to be an Iowa lean (70% Iowa lean per 247) ...

 

[nu2u]

"70% Iowa lean on 247"

Does anyone know 247's historical accuracy rate on recruiting forecasts or predictions?

 

[NomisHawk]

Current national attention? Did ESPN write an article about how Iowa is ticking off MAC coaches for stealing all these studs?

In all seriousness, it would be a great start to the class but Iowa would still need to find a way to win 9+ games in the fall to keep momentum going.

I think that in order to see a recruiting snowball come into effect is to have an impressive run (9-10 wins) through the end of the regular season (November). That is when a lot of higher profile recruits for the 2017 class will make unofficial visits and when coaches can briefly turn their full attention to recruiting before bowl prep. That would be when I would guess AJ makes a decision (the kid and his father are obviously wise enough to wait and see if Kirk will still be here or who he might play for if not). Then, having those kids on early in the process for that class would be huge to build momentum. Iowa has been utilizing these tailgates to allow and encourage commits and prospects to bond. It is a rising trend across college football and seems to be reducing the number of flips and decommits from the early (summer) commitments. Having some higher profile recruits on board and bonding with prospects coming in can only help and I think (as others have already said) could make the 2017 class special. I think that this class is the first time recruits are seriously looking and wondering if they will indeed be coached by Kirk.

 

[ChrisVarick]

Juan Harris is a "much more solid commit" the third time around. Read between the lines a little bit. Juan Harris has repeatedly been caught in lies like Tommy Harris is his uncle and Bama came to watch one of his games last year, he visited TWENTY schools this summer in like 30 days.

Harris "committed" on twitter without informing the coaches. He had said he was visiting Iowa and the cancelled the visit for the weekend after the "commitment" to visit his mother. I'd take everything he says with a grain of salt.

 

[PHXIowaClub]

Does Iowa have a better shot at AJE if Ferentz is not around?

 

[ICWestfan]

Epenesa will be a Hawk no matter who the coach is. Put it in the bank.

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

It would be a very good start, not sure off the charts but very good. If you could share the national attention that Iowa is getting for their current recruiting that would be interesting to read. I haven't seen much on a national level but I also haven't looked much.

Their class is ranked nationally. By more than one service. That is national attention....

Beyond that, if my friends from around the country have taken notice, that more than says something. Because they haven't heard much of anything Hawkeye football in a couple years.

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

Any momentum you can get would be positive... meaning others could look at Iowa and say, "well, these two highly-ranked kids just gave verbals to the Hawks." But the bottomline, is this program simply needs to start winning. 6-6 or 7-5 is not going to do it. Would love to see both of these guys in black and gold so here is hoping that AJ continues to be an Iowa lean (70% Iowa lean per 247) ...

Winning definitely cures most ills.... That said, they need to ride these new facilities as hard as they can. The rest of the country will be catching up soon. By then, we had better be winning the tough games.

 

[PHXIowaClub]

Troy is ranked nationally 121st for recruiting according to Rivals.....must mean they have national attention.

 

[nu2u]

Juan Harris is a "much more solid commit" the third time around. Read between the lines a little bit. Juan Harris has repeatedly been caught in lies like Tommy Harris is his uncle and Bama came to watch one of his games last year, he visited TWENTY schools this summer in like 30 days.

Harris "committed" on twitter without informing the coaches. He had said he was visiting Iowa and the cancelled the visit for the weekend after the "commitment" to visit his mother. I'd take everything he says with a grain of salt.

Yeah..... For Harris, "solid" is not a term I would use together with commitment this far out from a LOI. I hope he signs with Iowa but I'm skeptical. If he stays highly rated, he will be receiving a great deal of pressure from multiple recruiters over the course of the next 20 months.

I'm speculating because I don't know him personally, but the events of the last 9 months or so seem to indicate that Harris could greatly benefit from the close personal guidance of a responsible and trusted adult, mentor, or guardian, That goes for most young teens I guess but his immaturity is playing out before a larger public audience.

 

[balsy]

I realize you have a new building. What do you guys got that other places don't?

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

Troy is ranked nationally 121st for recruiting according to Rivals.....must mean they have national attention.

Yes, because we all put as much value and interest in the #121 team, as we do #19 in the country. Just like the weekly polls, it always catches my eye...

 

[icu81222]

I realize you have a new building. What do you guys got that other places don't?

Steven Patrick.

Nuff said

 

[cidhawkeye]

Yes, because we all put as much value and interest in the #121 team, as we do #19 in the country. Just like the weekly polls, it always catches my eye...

So when they put out these rankings has there been any commentary to go along with this increased 'national' attention? Things like 'moving up the charts with their 20th commitment is Iowa' or 'breaking in to the top 25 is Iowa' things like that probably would constitute some national publicity. I haven't seen any but I also haven't looked. Serious question, when all the teams get to that 20 commit area where do you feel this class will be ranked?

 

[thejazzcat]

It would be a very good start, not sure off the charts but very good. If you could share the national attention that Iowa is getting for their current recruiting that would be interesting to read. I haven't seen much on a national level but I also haven't looked much.

There was an article on ESPN's college football page a couple of weeks ago about the B1G's recruiting haul in June....KF's pic was the lead and the Hawks drove the discussion...100ish total in the league, of which the Hawks alone had the lion's share.

So when they put out these rankings has there been any commentary to go along with this increased 'national' attention? Things like 'moving up the charts with their 20th commitment is Iowa' or 'breaking in to the top 25 is Iowa' things like that probably would constitute some national publicity. I haven't seen any but I also haven't looked. Serious question, when all the teams get to that 20 commit area where do you feel this class will be ranked?

There's an article about the B1G's June recruiting on ESPN's college football page right now....the lead pic is of KF.