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.