Iowa WBB Class of 2026 Recruiting Thread

[HawksGoneWild1]

I don't post often post but I do watch recruiting pretty closely and after creeping a ton of Instagram posts from our players to prospects and prospects to prospects...I have come to some conclusions. I know things are fluid and can change overnight but I think Harpring is coming and if she does so will Bjorn and Woliczko with Trinity Jones and Bella Ragone maybe in play. I have no clue about Lewis and she could head out of state. I think Bjorn is closer to us than she lets on.

I'd be over the moon if just Harpring pilots our plane. Anyone else in your list wants to take a seat in it as well are all welcome aboard.

Thanks for posting that. This forum did have a poster (Shikreto) here who did that indepth kind of social media sleuthing but he left. We also had/have hawkbuck post from time to time on his intel, think from the coaching circuit, on where recruits were leaning/committing. Haven't seen a post from him in a while on intel even though I've pinged him a few times on any recent updates. Do see other posters bring forth some social media intel from time to time as well.

However, you seem to describe something with deeper roots to it if I'm understanding it correctly. I have a few questions if I may ask. Understand if no reply. TIA

Are these primarily just Instagram likes and the connection of recruits who follow each other and/or are you also finding Instagram comments between them that indicate this lean also?
Any twitter insight involved here?
Are you also finding forum or other media post that indicate some kind of confirmation to the Instagram posts?

 

[Matt1nb7]

Raina did like Instagram posts about Lewis on back to back days this week..

I didn’t look at Ragone in awhile.. Raina and Abby liked a post by Ragone 2 and 1/2 weeks ago.

 

[leif erikson]

I'd be over the moon if just Harpring pilots our plane. Anyone else in your list wants to take a seat in it as well are all welcome aboard.

Thanks for posting that. This forum did have a poster (Shikreto) here who did that indepth kind of social media sleuthing but he left. We also had/have hawkbuck post from time to time on his intel, think from the coaching circuit, on where recruits were leaning/committing. Haven't seen a post from him in a while on intel even though I've pinged him a few times on any recent updates. Do see other posters bring forth some social media intel from time to time as well.

However, you seem to describe something with deeper roots to it if I'm understanding it correctly. I have a few questions if I may ask. Understand if no reply. TIA

Are these primarily just Instagram likes and the connection of recruits who follow each other and/or are you also finding Instagram comments between them that indicate this lean also?
Any twitter insight involved here?
Are you also finding forum or other media post that indicate some kind of confirmation to the Instagram posts?

I don't pretend to have any inside info. These girls are pretty savvy about what they post and like but after hundreds of posts and likes you pick up on their subtle meanings. Basically, it's just my opinion, I could be way off but I don't think so. I think Kate is the key, if she comes everything will follow. If not, we may still get McKenna but maybe not Bjorn, although they have played together. And, if Kate doesn't come, probably no shot at Ragone but maybe still Trinity Jones, which would still be great. There hasn't been any new '26 recruits come up for some time, I think they (the coaches) feel good about the prospects they have zeroed in on and are going to ride it out. From everything I've found, I think they're right.

 

[Rocket_Fran]

I don't pretend to have any inside info. These girls are pretty savvy about what they post and like but after hundreds of posts and likes you pick up on their subtle meanings. Basically, it's just my opinion, I could be way off but I don't think so. I think Kate is the key, if she comes everything will follow. If not, we may still get McKenna but maybe not Bjorn, although they have played together. And, if Kate doesn't come, probably no shot at Ragone but maybe still Trinity Jones, which would still be great. There hasn't been any new '26 recruits come up for some time, I think they (the coaches) feel good about the prospects they have zeroed in on and are going to ride it out. From everything I've found, I think they're right.

This is the kind of armchair psychoanalysis-based speculation that is still semi-baseless that I live for. No sarcasm, thank you!. Just be careful with the IG sleuthing. When you stare into the abyss...

 

[hawkeyeskin]

If what I was told by a 5A coach who is pretty connected is correct, Lewis will not be going to Iowa.

Wow. I was under the impression that she was basically the only guarantee for the ‘26 recruiting class. Would be insane to not only miss out on her, but wtf happens if we miss on Harpring, Bjorn, Woleczko, Ragone, etc…as well? Because none of them is guarantees either 😳

 

[GunnerHawk]

Wow. I was under the impression that she was basically the only guarantee for the ‘26 recruiting class. Would be insane to not only miss out on her, but wtf happens if we miss on Harpring, Bjorn, Woleczko, Ragone, etc…as well? Because none of them is guarantees either 😳

When you recruit against these top programs it can be hit or miss. Getting one top 10 - 15 recruit a year would be great for the program, two would be awsome. Hawks play 8-10 deep so I hope they don't forget top 40 - 50 type players that can be developed like Kate and Gabby.

Woleczko is still at the top of my wish list because we need a top PF, getting her away from the West coast schools will be tough. Harpring is 1+ though.

 

[hawkeyeskin]

When you recruit against these top programs it can be hit or miss. Getting one top 10 - 15 recruit a year would be great for the program, two would be awsome. Hawks play 8-10 deep so I hope they don't forget top 40 - 50 type players that can be developed like Kate and Gabby.

Woleczko is still at the top of my wish list because we need a top PF, getting her away from the West coast schools will be tough. Harpring is 1+ though.

Oh you’re absolutely correct. I just figured Jenica was a lock. Multiple people thought it. She was CB’d to Iowa. 2 weeks later the talk is she’s definitely not going to Iowa. I’m starting to really believe we’re not getting a single one of those recruits. Unfortunately. It would’ve been AWESOME! ,

 

[citizenHawk]

Oh you’re absolutely correct. I just figured Jenica was a lock. Multiple people thought it. She was CB’d to Iowa. 2 weeks later the talk is she’s definitely not going to Iowa. I’m starting to really believe we’re not getting a single one of recruits. Unfortunately. It would’ve been AWESOME! ,

Why would you feel that?
Nobody is going to commit until the rev share numbers are decided, and many of these players will take their time. Just look at the list of commits in the top 100.

And that all said, all this guessing and prognosticating back and forth is just that--guessing. Nobody knows nothin', but I imagine there are good odds that Iowa lands another top player based on the smaller splashes made by the younger roster thus far. It's a pretty open roster at this point, so odds of starting as a freshman for 26-27 season are pretty good for the recruits they are courting.

Regardless of what happens, building relationships with these top players could pay off with great dividends in the portal future.

And it all goes bad and you miss on things, you have the portal game available to fill gaps when necessary.

 

[BraydonRoberts5]

Oh you’re absolutely correct. I just figured Jenica was a lock. Multiple people thought it. She was CB’d to Iowa. 2 weeks later the talk is she’s definitely not going to Iowa. I’m starting to really believe we’re not getting a single one of those recruits. Unfortunately. It would’ve been AWESOME! ,

One thing to keep in mind is Iowa only has 9 players in the 2023-2025 classes (Johnson, Levin, Guyton, Stremlow, Mallegni, Heiden, Deal, Houston, Hays). Iowa will need 3 or 4 players from this class to get the roster to its normal level.

I mention that because we really haven't seen much evidence of Iowa pivoting to lower ranked targets in this class yet. At least not recently. When Greenway was trending away from Iowa last summer and fall, Iowa offered Tori Oehrlein as a potential fallback option at PG. She committed to Minnesota in early November.

If Iowa didn't think it had a legitimate chance with most of these targets, I think we'd see some pivoting fairly soon. Most players in this class will commit by November. If October comes and they all pick different schools, Iowa wouldn't have time to still build its class.

 

[chesapeake bay dog]

One thing to keep in mind is Iowa only has 9 players in the 2023-2025 classes (Johnson, Levin, Guyton, Stremlow, Mallegni, Heiden, Deal, Houston, Hays). Iowa will need 3 or 4 players from this class to get the roster to its normal level.

I mention that because we really haven't seen much evidence of Iowa pivoting to lower ranked targets in this class yet. At least not recently. When Greenway was trending away from Iowa last summer and fall, Iowa offered Tori Oehrlein as a potential fallback option at PG. She committed to Minnesota in early November.

If Iowa didn't think it had a legitimate chance with most of these targets, I think we'd see some pivoting fairly soon. Most players in this class will commit by November. If October comes and they all pick different schools, Iowa wouldn't have time to still build its class.

I'm waiting to hear something positive on Kussow and Koupal.

 

[Scott559]

I'm waiting to hear something positive on Kussow and Koupal.

Unless things take a turn I wouldn’t expect positive news on Koupal.

 

[BraydonRoberts5]

Unless things take a turn I wouldn’t expect positive news on Koupal.

Koupal is actually part of the reason for my post. She's ranked #21 by ESPN and is much closer geographically than Woliczko or Ragone. Despite that, it really doesn't seem like Iowa is overly interested in her. Iowa was late to offer, and she only took the one visit during last season that we know of.

It certainly feels like Woliczko, Bjorn, and Ragone are the higher priority targets at the 4 position. Does that mean Iowa feels confident it can land one of those three and thus the coaches haven't spent much time on Koupal?

To be clear, there are other possible explanations also. Maybe Koupal isn't particularly interested in Iowa. Maybe the staff doesn't think she's a great fit at the 4.

 

[HawksGoneWild1]

Unless things take a turn I wouldn’t expect positive news on Koupal.

Sadly, thinking the same.

I mention that because we really haven't seen much evidence of Iowa pivoting to lower ranked targets in this class yet. At least not recently. When Greenway was trending away from Iowa last summer and fall, Iowa offered Tori Oehrlein as a potential fallback option at PG. She committed to Minnesota in early November.

If Iowa didn't think it had a legitimate chance with most of these targets, I think we'd see some pivoting fairly soon. Most players in this class will commit by November. If October comes and they all pick different schools, Iowa wouldn't have time to still build its class.

Now a possible positive out of this goes to what Braydon stated. As long as new offers don't go out, we're at least in a good spot yet. Keyword is yet! However, based on new offers going out tells you which position(s) are going under. His example of Greenway is spot on. At that point, the later those offers go out the less we can gain a favorable position in building a relationship with them. Suspect these higher rated players don't like playing second fiddle.

 

[chesapeake bay dog]

Maybe Koupals interest level goes up if Scoggin lawsuit ever comes to fruitation.

 

[Scott559]

Koupal is actually part of the reason for my post. She's ranked #21 by ESPN and is much closer geographically than Woliczko or Ragone. Despite that, it really doesn't seem like Iowa is overly interested in her. Iowa was late to offer, and she only took the one visit during last season that we know of.

It certainly feels like Woliczko, Bjorn, and Ragone are the higher priority targets at the 4 position. Does that mean Iowa feels confident it can land one of those three and thus the coaches haven't spent much time on Koupal?

To be clear, there are other possible explanations also. Maybe Koupal isn't particularly interested in Iowa. Maybe the staff doesn't think she's a great fit at the 4.

A poster lives in in her hometown and knows her family, Said they are all big Nebraska fans, Also Amy Williams was the coach at South Dakota before she took the Nebraska job and it sounds like some pretty strong bonds have been built.

 

[chesapeake bay dog]

A poster lives in in her hometown and knows her family, Said they are all big Nebraska fans, Also Amy Williams was the coach at South Dakota before she took the Nebraska job and it sounds like some pretty strong bonds have been built.

See my previous post.

 

[HawksGoneWild1]

A poster lives in in her hometown and knows her family, Said they are all big Nebraska fans, Also Amy Williams was the coach at South Dakota before she took the Nebraska job and it sounds like some pretty strong bonds have been built.

Yep, that's what I have in my notes as a NE lean as the best I can tell. Your insight just adds to that even more.

"I have not seen her like any Iowa social media posts, but has liked multiple Nebraska recently (same with Leelee Bell) so I don’t know if she is that interested in Iowa."

Iowa WBB Class of 2026 Recruiting Thread

C'mon man, Chad's a great Hawk, who let his daughter pick the school where she thought she best fit. I'd put you in the so-so Hawk category. Nope .... pure traitor. Hawks don't let their kids grow up without bleeding black and gold. I chalk this up to bad parenting ... just sayin'!

iowa.forums.rivals.com

 

[Scott559]

See my previous post.

Like I said earlier, Unless things take a turn I wouldn’t expect positive news.

 

[GunnerHawk]

Like I said earlier, Unless things take a turn I wouldn’t expect positive news.

I checked her off my list list months ago. Iowa may not be her cup of tea. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[chesapeake bay dog]

I was just asking to get more informed posters opinions.

 

[Scott559]

If what I was told by a 5A coach who is pretty connected is correct, Lewis will not be going to Iowa.

There is so much conflicting information floating around on Lewis, On another site two posters who claim to have inside info have completely different intel, One says Iowa is still the leader the other says Iowa is out of the picture. Just gonna have to let it play out.

 

[NevadaHawk]

Lewis is not the only fish in the pond but I hope she decides to one to Iowa. I would hate to see her go elsewhere.

 

[citizenHawk]

One thing to keep in mind is Iowa only has 9 players in the 2023-2025 classes (Johnson, Levin, Guyton, Stremlow, Mallegni, Heiden, Deal, Houston, Hays). Iowa will need 3 or 4 players from this class to get the roster to its normal level.

I mention that because we really haven't seen much evidence of Iowa pivoting to lower ranked targets in this class yet. At least not recently. When Greenway was trending away from Iowa last summer and fall, Iowa offered Tori Oehrlein as a potential fallback option at PG. She committed to Minnesota in early November.

If Iowa didn't think it had a legitimate chance with most of these targets, I think we'd see some pivoting fairly soon. Most players in this class will commit by November. If October comes and they all pick different schools, Iowa wouldn't have time to still build its class.

This has been my thought. They briefly started to look around, and then (as far as is evident) stopped that and dialed in.

I still say the portal era changes the way you recruit, or how you ever "fall back." Recruit key players as freshmen, find the supporting pieces as proven college players with some time left. I think the program is in a good place for that approach.

 

[ltsimmer]

I wonder if the "fall back" recruit is less desirable today compared to 5 years ago. Go all in with your top options. Don't get them?....go all in on portal.

 

[Ad-Hawk]

For whatever it's worth based on what I know from people close to the Johnston program I still think Jenica will wind up at Iowa. That still seems to be most of the reporting around her recruitment as well.

 

[Scott559]

I wonder if the "fall back" recruit is less desirable today compared to 5 years ago. Go all in with your top options. Don't get them?....go all in on portal.

No doubt the portal can be a game changer.

 

[BraydonRoberts5]

I wonder if the "fall back" recruit is less desirable today compared to 5 years ago. Go all in with your top options. Don't get them?....go all in on portal.

I'd say somewhat less desirable, but not completely. One area where the portal can be tough is depth. Good transfers generally don't want to be the 3rd option at a school, but freshman are more willing to, especially if they see a path to playing time as a sophomore.

Think Ava Heiden this year. She's not exactly a fallback option, but was willing to be Iowa's #3 option at the 5 and has played big minutes. Iowa probably wouldn't have found a good transfer 5 willing to be the 3rd option in a world where it didn't land Heiden.

 

[ltsimmer]

I'd say somewhat less desirable, but not completely. One area where the portal can be tough is depth. Good transfers generally don't want to be the 3rd option at a school, but freshman are more willing to, especially if they see a path to playing time as a sophomore.

Think Ava Heiden this year. She's not exactly a fallback option, but was willing to be Iowa's #3 option at the 5 and has played big minutes. Iowa probably wouldn't have found a good transfer 5 willing to be the 3rd option in a world where it didn't land Heiden.

True on depth. But I'm also assuming AH didn't think she'll would be the 3rd option this year when she committed, though I don't know that either. She sure is good enough to start this season.

 

[kceasthawk]

Bjorn would be a player like none we’ve seen at Iowa.

View embedded media

They say she dunked one in a game up at Park Hill South. Thats crazy for a 6'2" girl, but you can see the ups in that pic.

 

[doughawk]

I would think Ava thought or was told they were moving Stuelke to the 4 and she probably felt she could beat out O’Grady . I highly doubt she thought she would be a 3rd teamer. She should have been 2nd team all season in my opinion, but I am not the coach.

 

[kceasthawk]

I'd say somewhat less desirable, but not completely. One area where the portal can be tough is depth. Good transfers generally don't want to be the 3rd option at a school, but freshman are more willing to, especially if they see a path to playing time as a sophomore.

Think Ava Heiden this year. She's not exactly a fallback option, but was willing to be Iowa's #3 option at the 5 and has played big minutes. Iowa probably wouldn't have found a good transfer 5 willing to be the 3rd option in a world where it didn't land Heiden.

I'm not sure I'd say that Ava was "willing to be the third option". It certainly worked out that way because of circumstances, but I highly doubt that was her expectation. Hannah was supposed to play the 4, and that basically never worked out, and shoved her back into the log jam backing everyone else back a spot. Supposedly, Jan was thinking of starting Ava game one. Thats what she said right before the season, and then Ava got sick, Stuelke couldn't pull off the move and we see what happened.

 

[kceasthawk]

I would think Ava thought or was told they were moving Stuelke to the 4 and she probably felt she could beat out O’Grady . I highly doubt she thought she would be a 3rd teamer. She should have been 2nd team all season in my opinion, but I am not the coach.

This. I highly doubt that was her "expectation" coming in....

 

[hawkod]

I'm not sure I'd say that Ava was "willing to be the third option". It certainly worked out that way because of circumstances, but I highly doubt that was her expectation. Hannah was supposed to play the 4, and that basically never worked out, and shoved her back into the log jam backing everyone else back a spot. Supposedly, Jan was thinking of starting Ava game one. Thats what she said right before the season, and then Ava got sick, Stuelke couldn't pull off the move and we see what happened.

I'm really impressed with Ava's maturity and demeanor. You never can have enough players with her makeup.

 

[leif erikson]

There is so much conflicting information floating around on Lewis, On another site two posters who claim to have inside info have completely different intel, One says Iowa is still the leader the other says Iowa is out of the picture. Just gonna have to let it play out.

If she does go somewhere else, Trinity Jones would be a nice compensatory replacement. There seems to be some renewed energy there by both sides.

 

[Scott559]

If she does go somewhere else, Trinity Jones would be a nice compensatory replacement. There seems to be some renewed energy there by both sides.

Until we hear otherwise Natalie Kussow is still in play as well. Kussow keeps her recruitment very low key so really no way to get a feel how she is feeling about any school.

 

[HawksGoneWild1]

If she does go somewhere else, Trinity Jones would be a nice compensatory replacement. There seems to be some renewed energy there by both sides.

I have noticed a little of this myself.

Just don't have any of these popular social media accounts to do deep dives on them. When I go to twitter they hardly ever show me recent tweets by someone. The tweets are generally 2 months or older so that doesn't help so much.

 

[leif erikson]

I have noticed a little of this myself.

Just don't have any of these popular social media accounts to do deep dives on them. When I go to twitter they hardly ever show me recent tweets by someone. The tweets are generally 2 months or older so that doesn't help so much.

She reposted her Iowa visit on Instagram recently. Don't know the degree of interest but Kate Martin, Deal and some others jumped right in and she liked everything that was Iowa said. I've seen some clips on her, she would be a fantastic 2G or SF!

 

[herkhatescy2]

No doubt the portal can be a game changer.

Don't worry so much about a fallback recruit and look to the portal for someone better than the fallback recruit.

 

[HIWILLE]

There is so much conflicting information floating around on Lewis, On another site two posters who claim to have inside info have completely different intel, One says Iowa is still the leader the other says Iowa is out of the picture. Just gonna have to let it play out.

The second one must be a clone fan.😁

 

[BraydonRoberts5]

I'm not sure I'd say that Ava was "willing to be the third option". It certainly worked out that way because of circumstances, but I highly doubt that was her expectation. Hannah was supposed to play the 4, and that basically never worked out, and shoved her back into the log jam backing everyone else back a spot. Supposedly, Jan was thinking of starting Ava game one. Thats what she said right before the season, and then Ava got sick, Stuelke couldn't pull off the move and we see what happened.

I'm defining "willing" as accepted the role without significant complaint or change in demeanor. By all accounts that appears to be true.

I'm sure Heiden thought she would have a bigger role this year, but I also doubt Jan guaranteed anything. Even when Stuelke was primarily playing the 4 Heiden wasn't getting a ton of time in close games.