I would say YES. Every year, Iowa hauls in a recruiting class ranked between 25th - 45th nationally. The classes are almost always sprinkled with a few elite guys that fans are extra hyped about and can't wait to see play. So who fit that criteria this year?
In 2022, it was Nwankpa, a 5 star safety who could have gone anywhere, Graves a US Army all-American, May a rare 4**** QB commit, and Johnson a home run hitting 4**** RB out of Ohio.
In 2021, the Hawks landed five different 4**** recruits, including playmaking WRs Keagan Johnson & Arland Bruce & all-American DeJean.
In 2020, it was big time Tx QB Deuce Hogan, a 4**** with swagger who actively recruited others to come to Iowa.
In 2019, the Hawks stole 4**** LB recruit Jacobs from Ohio State, beat out Georgia for a QB in Padilla, and mined Atlanta for its star RB in Goodson.
For the 2023 class, fans were looking for hope on offense more than ever. Maybe a stud WR or RB who can make explosive plays. Perhaps a stud LB who could fill a hole. A non-statue at QB?
The Hawks started hot, landing a 4 **** superstar RB out of Florida. He ultimately decommitted after seeing how poorly the offense plays under its OC and was vocal about his reasons. Next, the Hawks landed the highest rated commit in program program history, a tackle who could come in and start right away. He too was unimpressed with what he saw out of Iowa's offense, particularly the OL, so he bolted.
Given the loss of the top two commits in the class, which high school recruits did the Hawks bring in that can change the perception of Iowa's sluggish and underperforming offense?
The QB, once a 4**** prospect, was downgraded by all recruiting services this year after having a mediocre senior season. He played under the tutelage of Spencer Petras' "QB guru." Was he at least the dual threat QB that Iowa needs? Probably not, as he gained just 320 yards rushing. The RB in the class is unranked by Rivals and rushed for just 470 yards in high school this year. His best offers were from the MAC. The WRs may have been most disappointing, as the best prospect is a 6'5 kid who literally had zero scholarship offers other than Iowa. Not exactly an upgrade from the loss of Johnson, Bruce & Ragaini. Probably the most hyped recruit in this class is Ben Kueter, just the 4th ranked prospect out of the state of Iowa, who will likely give up football to wrestle at Iowa down the road.
Sexiness aside, Iowa ultimately brought in a solid recruiting class. They are made up almost exclusively of midwestern 3 star guys. Very few "fallback" type 2 star recruits that we usually see around signing day, but also virtually no "blue chippers" who picked Iowa over big time programs. This looks to be a developmental group who can come in and contribute as juniors and seniors.
In 2022, it was Nwankpa, a 5 star safety who could have gone anywhere, Graves a US Army all-American, May a rare 4**** QB commit, and Johnson a home run hitting 4**** RB out of Ohio.
In 2021, the Hawks landed five different 4**** recruits, including playmaking WRs Keagan Johnson & Arland Bruce & all-American DeJean.
In 2020, it was big time Tx QB Deuce Hogan, a 4**** with swagger who actively recruited others to come to Iowa.
In 2019, the Hawks stole 4**** LB recruit Jacobs from Ohio State, beat out Georgia for a QB in Padilla, and mined Atlanta for its star RB in Goodson.
For the 2023 class, fans were looking for hope on offense more than ever. Maybe a stud WR or RB who can make explosive plays. Perhaps a stud LB who could fill a hole. A non-statue at QB?
The Hawks started hot, landing a 4 **** superstar RB out of Florida. He ultimately decommitted after seeing how poorly the offense plays under its OC and was vocal about his reasons. Next, the Hawks landed the highest rated commit in program program history, a tackle who could come in and start right away. He too was unimpressed with what he saw out of Iowa's offense, particularly the OL, so he bolted.
Given the loss of the top two commits in the class, which high school recruits did the Hawks bring in that can change the perception of Iowa's sluggish and underperforming offense?
The QB, once a 4**** prospect, was downgraded by all recruiting services this year after having a mediocre senior season. He played under the tutelage of Spencer Petras' "QB guru." Was he at least the dual threat QB that Iowa needs? Probably not, as he gained just 320 yards rushing. The RB in the class is unranked by Rivals and rushed for just 470 yards in high school this year. His best offers were from the MAC. The WRs may have been most disappointing, as the best prospect is a 6'5 kid who literally had zero scholarship offers other than Iowa. Not exactly an upgrade from the loss of Johnson, Bruce & Ragaini. Probably the most hyped recruit in this class is Ben Kueter, just the 4th ranked prospect out of the state of Iowa, who will likely give up football to wrestle at Iowa down the road.
Sexiness aside, Iowa ultimately brought in a solid recruiting class. They are made up almost exclusively of midwestern 3 star guys. Very few "fallback" type 2 star recruits that we usually see around signing day, but also virtually no "blue chippers" who picked Iowa over big time programs. This looks to be a developmental group who can come in and contribute as juniors and seniors.
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