ADVERTISEMENT

2017 recruiting wish list

broth87

HB Heisman
May 21, 2004
9,199
525
113
Made a little wish list by position to spark some conversation.
QB: Don't believe our prospect has emerged here yet. We have offers out incorrect but I don't think there's any serious mutual interest right now.
RB: My number wish now that we have Epenesa is Eno Benjamin. Absolute game changer.
Right behind him is AJ Dillon. Doubt we can get both with Notre dame after Dillon but what a coup it would be.
There's a really intriguing and exciting 3rd option at running back in Connor Heyward, Ironhead Heyward's son out of Georgia. Great hands, good size, power runner to compliment Benjamin. He's an underrated 3* if you ask me.
WR: 4* Isaiah Robertson out of Illinois. Long, lanky, smooth, technical. Love everything about his game.
Jaevon McQuitty 4* would love to steal this kid out if Columbia, Mo. Not great quarterback play in his videos but man is he a playmaker and I love the Missouri pipeline.
The wild card here is 3* Tyrell Shavers out of Texas. 6'6" 200 pounder out of the Lone Star State. That size would be tremendous to work with.
TE: 3* Jake Ferguson out of Wisconsin. Not a huge position of need after this year's class, but landing a tremendous athlete like Ferguson out of Wisconsin would be gigantic. And he can play several positions a la Beyer.
OL: Might be some names emerge here still but a decent start with Tristan Wirfs and possibly Mark Kallenberger. Not completely sold on those two just yet based on things I've heard coaches say in that part of the state but can't argue with the size.
DE: AJ Epenesa obviously is the top target four the entire class and adding him is absolutely huge.
I think adding another dynamic rusher opposite AJ with guys like Lattimore and Harris and Golston and Simon in the fold could lead to the scariest defensive line Iowa's ever had. The guy to go opposite Epenesa in my mind and my second biggest wish behind Eno Benjamin is Chester Graves out of Park Hill, MO. High 4* weakside end with a huge motor and athleticism.
Really like the wildcard of Coy Kirkpatrick at end as well. He's a versatile hard worker Thst could be a big time back up on the line for this group.
DT: Not sure how many we look at here but obviously Juan Harris is an intriguing and frightening prospect with his combo of size and athleticism. And the staff's ability too develop Carl Davis tells me Harris can be an absolute stud at Iowa.
But I am equally as high on Damion Daniels 3* out of Texas. He's big, he's strong, he's stout, he's everything you want in a defensive tackle. He could be a huge addition.
ILB: 3* Thomas Johnston out of Alabama. Seems to love Iowa and has family from Iowa city. Very high motor and the ability to get sideline to sideline. Underrated 3* in my opinion.
OLB: One of my biggest wishes for this class is unrated prospect Colin Anderson. If you haven't seen him, watch his videos. He's an absolute beast and looks like a 4* prospect to me even though he's unranked. High on Iowa and would be another HUGE get.
Jacob Coons 3*. Just an Iowa linebacker in every way. Blue collar, hard worker, high energy, physical kid that will definitely be a factor a la a Cole Fisher or Bo Bower.
CB: One wish here, ambry Thomas. 4* true corner who looks like a quicker high school version of Desmond from Detroit. Keep that Detroit pipeline open and I believe this kid would be an absolute stud.
S: Jeffrey Okudah 5* from Texas is the top wish here but don't know how realistic that is at this point. Tremendous athlete and size at safety.
There are two other really really good prospects at safety though that I really like. First is Djimon Colbert 3* out of Kansas. Very athletic and physical and covers the field exceptionally well. I don't think he's that far from Okudah to be very honest.
And the other is Jaylen Kelly-Powell a 3* from Cass Tech in Detroit. Physical safety prospect who can also cover a ton of ground and is part of that Detroit pipeline.
Here's my top wishes regardless of position:
1. Eno Benjamin
2. Chester Graves
3. Ambry Thomas
4. Colin Anderson
5. Isaiah Robertson
6. AJ Dillon
7. Jake Ferguson
8. Jeffrey Okudah
9. Jaevon McQuitty
10. Damion Daniels

Sorry for the length. Hopefully make for some good discussion.
 
I think Coons will be a TE. the question is how many players does IA take at each position.
if it goes as I think it will these are the position break down
QB 1
RB 2
WR 2
TE 1 Coons fits in here
OL 3 Wirffs is a 4* by Scout

DL 4 Epenesa, Harris and Kirkpatric have 3 already
LB 3
DB's 3

it will be interesting to see who they get,

right now Eno lists IA as his #1 school of choice, AJ Dillon is high on the Hawks as well.

IA is in on this kid for WR's 6'5 4* Harris out of Ohio, the others option will expand as more offers go out as there are something like 65 offers out as of now.
 
There is a S/CB prospect out of Maryland-Damani Neal..that has stated some positive things about Iowa in the past...In late Dec, he mentioned he would definately like to visit Iowa in the future...Mentioned talking to Coach White quite abit...He likes PSU and has visited there a few times, but the guy that was heading up his recruitment has recently left PSU...might be a name to watch going forward..
 
Damani Neal is a nice looking player. Hadn't heard of him. I'd slide him in behind Djimon Colbert based on the limited film I could find but you gotta like the Maryland athleticism.
 
Really like Jaylen Harris. Great size speed and athleticism. I'll put him side by side with Isaiah Robertson. We need dynamic playmakers on the outside and both guys fit the bill. That puts Harris a co - number 5 on my overall wishlist board with Robertson.
 
there are 2 DB that were not mentioned with offers in area's that IA has had success recruiting
4* 6'0 Reip from Ohio
5.7 3* 6'0 Kelly-Powell from Michigan that look pretty good that have interest in IA.

the one I keep hoping that might flip from O$U to IA is a legacy S 6'2 Pryor a 4* from Georgia,

but considering the other DB recruits that have interest in IA I am confident IA will be just fine.

a LB that I am following is 4* 6'2 Tyshon Fogg from MD get him and that kid from Alabama and that will make quite the pair.
 
Pryor would be huge if we could get him to flip from tOSU. With him being a legacy recruit still gives me hope somehow he'd change his mind and come here. To compete successfully with the best we need guys like Pryor and Piershbacher to chose Iowa and not Alabama or Ohio St. We got to capitalize on advantages such as legacy or in state talent and land these athletes. Great talent has been poached from our state in basketball by Roy at Kansas and North Carolina..this has to stop in all sports programs.
 
Eno Benjamin is at the top of my list. McQuitty and Robertson would be right behind him. These are the types of skill players Iowa has been lacking.
 
1) Amir Riep - It's been a while since we've gotten a 4* Corner.
2) Eno Benjamin - Play making RB that has us as his current leader, worried if Texas offers
3) Jaevon McQuitty - Good size at WR (6'2) Michigan offer worries me
4) Chester Graves - Weakside DE that along with Epenesa, Kirkpatrick, and Harris would be great DL class
5) Johnathan Lewis - Dual-threat QB that we recently offered
6) Connor Heyward - Legacy recruit from Georgia. He's said staff has told him he could be 2 way player
7) Mark Kallenberger - In-state OT, him and Jackson likely our future at LT and RT
 
1) Amir Riep - It's been a while since we've gotten a 4* Corner.
2) Eno Benjamin - Play making RB that has us as his current leader, worried if Texas offers
3) Jaevon McQuitty - Good size at WR (6'2) Michigan offer worries me
4) Chester Graves - Weakside DE that along with Epenesa, Kirkpatrick, and Harris would be great DL class
5) Johnathan Lewis - Dual-threat QB that we recently offered
6) Connor Heyward - Legacy recruit from Georgia. He's said staff has told him he could be 2 way player
7) Mark Kallenberger - In-state OT, him and Jackson likely our future at LT and RT
Watch Ambry Thomas's videos. 4* corner out of Detroit. Riep is a good looking player but Thomas is an absolute ballhawk and looks like a more dynamic Dez King at the high school level.
And whoever said I didn't mention kelly-powell, I did mention him in my op. Good looking prospect.
 
Ok here's my second draft lol.
QB: Kasim Hill- love his versatility and the fact he can play more than just quarterback. Looks good defensively on film as well.
Johnathan Lewis
Kamron Field
RB: Eno Benjamin
AJ Dillon
Connor Heyward
WR: I have 1a and 1b here.
1a Isaiah Robertson. Just love how smooth and efficiently he works.
1b Jaylen Harris. Tremendous size and athleticism.
Either would be an absolutely HUGE get for Iowa. I would full court press both of them because we need playmakers, and they're not the same kind of receiver.
Jaevon McQuitty
TE: Jake Ferguson. Love to pull this kid with his size and athleticism out of the cheese state.
OL: I think candidates will emerge here and probably some that are higher rated than our in states. Would love to add an athletic interior a la James Daniels.
Tristan Wirfs
Mark Kallenberger
DE: AJ Epenesa
Chester Graves. I'm telling you guys, this kid could be the single most important recruit in this class. If we can pair a dynamic rusher opposite Epenesa, with Lattimore and guys like Harris in the middle, we're talking potentiality the best defensive line we've ever had at Iowa.
Coy Kirkpatrick
DT: Juan Harris
Still equally as high on Damion Daniels. I think he's got massive upside.
ILB: Thomas Johnston
OLB: Colin Anderson - watch his videos if you haven't. He is an absolute beast and completely underrated at this point.
Tyshon Fogg
Jacob Coons
CB: Ambry Thomas - again, watch his videos. Absolute ball hawk and a more athletic Desmond King coming out of high school, which is very very high praise.
Amir Riep - really like this kid too. I like Thomas better but I'd be very happy with Riep too.
S: Isaiah Pryor - wasn't aware he was a legacy recruit during my initial post, gonna be hard to pull a kid committed to Ohio State but Epenesa needs to get on the horn with him. He would be a HUGE get. I think he's better than Okudah.
Jeffrey Okudah
Djimon Colbert
Jaylen Kelly-Powell

My updated top 10 regardless of position:
1. Eno Benjamin
2. Chester Graves (most important recruit in my opinion)
3. Ambry Thomas
4. Isaiah Robertson/Jaylen Harris. Either one of these guys would be massive gets. Both would be an Iowa coup.
5. Isaiah Pryor
6. Colin Anderson
7. AJ Dillon
8. Jake Ferguson
9. Jeffrey Okudah
10. Jaevon McQuitty
 
this will be a interesting class, as IA may take only 20, so a 10 offensive recruits and 10 defensive recruits might just be the breakdown,

Epenesa, Harris and Kirkpatrick gives IA 3 DL commits and in my opinion I don't see IA taking more than 4 in the 2017 class, not after taking these in the 2016 class,
Golston
Lattimore
McKnight
Simon
Schulte
Fant
sure some will move as Fant will probably move to TE. Lattimore is slotted as a DT and I personally would like to see Simon move to FB. taking 5 or more in my opinion would take scholarships away from another position of need. this is my opinion some may agree some may disagree,

the one DE that has me intrigued is Kirkpatrick as he looks the most capable of moving to DT @ 6'5 260 lbs as a JR in HS

this is what the DL would like right now
6'5 255 lb SDE 5* Epenesa
6'5 260 lb WDE 3* Kirkpatrick
6'3 356 lb DT 4* Harris TOP 300 by ESPN

get one more either DE or DT and the DL will be very BIG and solid.
 
Yes all over YouTube for videos. Just you're the names in.
Chester graves fellas. I'm just telling you. He's a st Louis area kid, somewhere we've had a lot of success. He's looking at mizzou but I really think we can trounce mizzou in this recruiting war. We could be looking at the most dominant defensive line we've ever had and not only dominant, but with depth.
We could be looking at ends in Epenesa, Graves, Gholston and maybe a Beyer or a Fant. That's some really explosive edge guys. Epenesa and Graves could be absolutely amazing together.
At d tackles, looking at Lattimore who I think is a big time defensive line recruit. Underrated as a 3*. Add the size and athleticism of Juan Harris and I agree about the depth with Kirkpatrick and McKnight and Schulte, and possibly even Simon. This would be the deepest most talented defensive line Iowa has ever had at least in my lifetime.
Iowa needs to really hard target a few kids and really put the full court press on them, and we need Epenesa to help us. He's the crown jewel of the class and is gonna spearhead the whole thing.
But full court press should go on Eno Benjamin, Chester Graves, Ambry Thomas, Isaiah Pryor, Isaiah Robertson and Jaylen Harris, and Colin Anderson. These kids are big time big time recruits. Absolute program changers that could really set this program up for one hell of a ride. This is how you grow your program from middle of the pack to the top of the heap like Michigan State has done. These are the kinds of kids that will beat Michigan and Ohio State.
 
a lot of these kids don't have 40 times listed yet. most will go to the local open to get timed, tested and do 1 on 1 Drills,, Harris in his SO year just dominated these drills at the Chicago open winning 12 of 12 1 on 1's.

not sure why Rivals dropped him from a 4* to a 3*, and as I pointed out to a poster on SBNation Baylor starts a 400 lb TE.

even if he does not start from day one like I think he won't with Lattimore in front of him, that means that Doyle will have 1-2 years of working with him, who knows a RS might just be the best thing to happen to him.

Nelson @ 6'8 270 lbs will be a RSJR when Epenesa steps foot on campus and Hesse will be a RSJR as well and hopefully by then Doyle will have him up to 265 lbs vs the 240 lbs he weighed in the 2015 season.
 
This is such a huge recruiting class for the future of the Iowa program. So much fun to look at and start digging into. Really wish there was an early signing period for kids like Epenesa.
I really hope, and I'm sure they do, that the coaching staff and people around the program are looking at this like it's the chance to cement Kirk's legacy and elevate the Iowa program. Big time open door in the west division. Wisconsin and Nebraska have taken a step back, coaching changes at Minnesota and Illinois, northwestern is probably the most stable program under Fitz but they have obvious recruiting disadvantages.
We have an easy schedule this fall again and should be targeting another 11-12 win type of season. And we have to parlay that into this recruiting class.
The future is now for Iowa football. One of the best opportunities in my lifetime for the Iowa football program to take that step into the national picture and be a regular top 10 type team. Very exciting stuff.
Add in the successof basketball, wrestling and baseball and it's just a great team too be a Hawkeye!
 
the trick will be to put 2-3 classes together of top 20 classes and improve it each year,

but as I look at this 12-2 team the core was made up of these from that 2013 class that was rated in the 50's

RB Daniels
RB Wadley
RB Mitchell
WR Vandeburg
TE Kittle
OL Meyer
OL Welsh
OL Boettger
FB Kulick who looks to be the replacement for PLEWA and COX

DT Bazata
LB Jewell
LB Bower
CB King

of these only King, Daniels and Kittle will graduate that makes 10 that will return for the 2017 season. the future is very bright.
 
the trick will be to put 2-3 classes together of top 20 classes and improve it each year,

but as I look at this 12-2 team the core was made up of these from that 2013 class that was rated in the 50's

RB Daniels
RB Wadley
RB Mitchell
WR Vandeburg
TE Kittle
OL Meyer
OL Welsh
OL Boettger
FB Kulick who looks to be the replacement for PLEWA and COX

DT Bazata
LB Jewell
LB Bower
CB King

of these only King, Daniels and Kittle will graduate that makes 10 that will return for the 2017 season. the future is very bright.

I agree with you completely. Things set up well. But I think we can all agree by looking at teams like Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Ohio State, etc have a much easier team competing and being relevant with the highly rated recruits. For Iowa, it's not just stars. We need the right kind of players with the right attitude. Epenesa clearly fits that mold. He's gonna show up ready to work. I see Eno Benjamin being the same kind of kid.
I think looking at the kids I looked at, watching their videos and interviews, they seem like exactly the right kind of kids for the Iowa program.
But you're right, gotta string a few in a row together to make it work. That's where Michigan State has really capitalized the last 5 years.
 
Why isn't Colin Anderson rated? Why only offers from Iowa and Vanderbilt?
 
I have, several times. Don't get it but it's early. maybe it's lack of size, he does look skinny.
Maybe. I'm not worried about Doyle's ability to put the size on him. I love his action sideline to sideline and the ferocity he plays with. He can cover the whole field and has a motor and physicality about him you gotta love for a linebacker.
 
Good question! Watch his videos and tell me that kid isn't legit. He's a beast!
Probably a situation similar to Boswell when he committed to Iowa he was a no star, then Rivals gave him 3* after they graded him out. Rivals probably doesn't have tape on him or haven't gotten around to giving him a grade.
 
not the right offers, he does not have offer from a blue blood as most only look at who offers to rank these kids.

let Alabama, ND, Michigan offer then watch him shoot up in the star category.

RB Wadley was a 1st Team All stater in NJ and yet Rival gave him just a 2* rating.

WR Darby the one that IA is waiting on to get a qualifying test score, is a 1st Team All state in NJ, but again Rivals only gave him 2*'s. again he did not have the right offers to get a higher * rating.

give me all the 1st team All State players from NJ, Texas or Florida everytime and IA will get better, WR Jerminic Smith was a 1st team All State in TX but was only a 3*, WR Ogwo though not a 1st Teamer he was still a top Texas 100 player by the Dallas Star.

WR Falconer was rated the 32nd best player in Central Florida by the Orlando Centinal, it is for this reason that I don't put much stock into rankings.

KF looks for players that fit into what IA wants, not what fans want, if that means a 4* or 5* great but if it means a 2* or 3* I am just as happy, remember how posters reacted when Jewel committed, boy there were some very disappointed people and now look at him leads the team in Tackles as a RSSO and might end up better than Morris
 
not the right offers, he does not have offer from a blue blood as most only look at who offers to rank these kids.

let Alabama, ND, Michigan offer then watch him shoot up in the star category.

RB Wadley was a 1st Team All stater in NJ and yet Rival gave him just a 2* rating.

WR Darby the one that IA is waiting on to get a qualifying test score, is a 1st Team All state in NJ, but again Rivals only gave him 2*'s. again he did not have the right offers to get a higher * rating.

give me all the 1st team All State players from NJ, Texas or Florida everytime and IA will get better, WR Jerminic Smith was a 1st team All State in TX but was only a 3*, WR Ogwo though not a 1st Teamer he was still a top Texas 100 player by the Dallas Star.

WR Falconer was rated the 32nd best player in Central Florida by the Orlando Centinal, it is for this reason that I don't put much stock into rankings.

KF looks for players that fit into what IA wants, not what fans want, if that means a 4* or 5* great but if it means a 2* or 3* I am just as happy, remember how posters reacted when Jewel committed, boy there were some very disappointed people and now look at him leads the team in Tackles as a RSSO and might end up better than Morris

Did rivals rate Darby low because of academic concerns? Do they do that? His vids are great, one of my favorite recruits.
 
After watching the Super Bowl, it is pretty clear that great defenses beat great offenses every time. I swear that Vonn Miller was held nearly every play, but still was the MVP. Would be pretty awesome to find some OLB/DE like him and DeMarcus Ware to Rush the passer. Does Mends possess that kind of speed? Epenesa? Just an awesome display and I am not even a Denver fan. It sure helps that they had giant DTs in the middle to stop the run, also. 3 or 4 shut-down corners would be nice, too, since we have 2 very good corners who will be seniors.
 
After watching the Super Bowl, it is pretty clear that great defenses beat great offenses every time. I swear that Vonn Miller was held nearly every play, but still was the MVP. Would be pretty awesome to find some OLB/DE like him and DeMarcus Ware to Rush the passer. Does Mends possess that kind of speed? Epenesa? Just an awesome display and I am not even a Denver fan. It sure helps that they had giant DTs in the middle to stop the run, also. 3 or 4 shut-down corners would be nice, too, since we have 2 very good corners who will be seniors.
don't sleep on Hesse or Matt Nelson as being top DE's for IA in the future and both were just RSFR forced to both play or start.

to me the front 4 on Defense were responsible for IA finishing 10th in rushing defense giving up 114.9 ypg and a scoring defense that finished 15th @ 18.9 ppg. with 8 defensive starters returning {not counting Ott} the defense looks to be even better.

with King returning and with this being Mabin's 2nd year and Taylors 2nd year as starters the pass defense should improve as well.

hopefully CJ will improve along will getting healthy the passing game should be better with these as the faster receivers Smith, Scheel, Falconer, Ogwo and Parker. teams won't be able to stack the box with 8-9 players.
 
Ok here's my second draft lol.....

TE: Jake Ferguson. Love to pull this kid with his size and athleticism out of the cheese state.

Kirk's going to have to arm-wrestle Jake away from his grampa.;)
Nice list,btw.
 
not the right offers, he does not have offer from a blue blood as most only look at who offers to rank these kids.

let Alabama, ND, Michigan offer then watch him shoot up in the star category.

RB Wadley was a 1st Team All stater in NJ and yet Rival gave him just a 2* rating.

WR Darby the one that IA is waiting on to get a qualifying test score, is a 1st Team All state in NJ, but again Rivals only gave him 2*'s. again he did not have the right offers to get a higher * rating.

give me all the 1st team All State players from NJ, Texas or Florida everytime and IA will get better, WR Jerminic Smith was a 1st team All State in TX but was only a 3*, WR Ogwo though not a 1st Teamer he was still a top Texas 100 player by the Dallas Star.

WR Falconer was rated the 32nd best player in Central Florida by the Orlando Centinal, it is for this reason that I don't put much stock into rankings.

KF looks for players that fit into what IA wants, not what fans want, if that means a 4* or 5* great but if it means a 2* or 3* I am just as happy, remember how posters reacted when Jewel committed, boy there were some very disappointed people and now look at him leads the team in Tackles as a RSSO and might end up better than Morris
Josey the Jewell !
 
After watching the Super Bowl, it is pretty clear that great defenses beat great offenses every time. I swear that Vonn Miller was held nearly every play, but still was the MVP. Would be pretty awesome to find some OLB/DE like him and DeMarcus Ware to Rush the passer. Does Mends possess that kind of speed? Epenesa? Just an awesome display and I am not even a Denver fan. It sure helps that they had giant DTs in the middle to stop the run, also. 3 or 4 shut-down corners would be nice, too, since we have 2 very good corners who will be seniors.
Mends definitely has the speed, he just lacks the size for OLB/DE Epenesa has it all, kid will be a MONSTER !
 
Mends definitely has the speed, he just lacks the size for OLB/DE Epenesa has it all, kid will be a MONSTER !

Mends is in the 220 range. Not big but I think Iowa wants to go for more speed when recruiting backers. I can't wait to see Mends in the starting lineup. Looks like he is shot out of a cannon when he blitzes. His speed, quickness helps him in coverage. Hockaday is also in the mix, another smallish but fast backer.
 
Mends is in the 220 range. Not big but I think Iowa wants to go for more speed when recruiting backers. I can't wait to see Mends in the starting lineup. Looks like he is shot out of a cannon when he blitzes. His speed, quickness helps him in coverage. Hockaday is also in the mix, another smallish but fast backer.
The Depth chart released 01/07/16 list Mends at 212lbs hopefully he will add 8lbs of muscle before the season starts. I like his speed too !
 
I would definitely bet Mends and Hockaday are both up to about 220 or so by the time Fall rolls around.
 
Why is it that of the ten most wanted recruits we have offered, Iowa State has offers to 7 out of the ten also.. Is Iowa State taking over for when Wisconsin would always offer a kid once we offered. Maybe they should try having their own recruiting coordinator instead of using Iowa. HA!
 
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT