Iowa football: Four-star offensive lineman Gene Riordan commits to Hawkeyes in 2026 class

IOWA CITY — Four-star offensive lineman Gene Riordan has committed to Iowa football in the 2026 high school class, he announced via social media on April 21.

Riordan, a product of Hinsdale Central High School (Illinois), is ranked 283rd nationally in the 2026 class, according to the 247Sports Composite. He is also the 9th-best prospect in the state of Illinois’ 2026 class. He is listed at 6-foot-5 and 280 pounds, according to his social media.

Riordan landed offers from a variety of power conference programs, including Penn State, Oklahoma, Northwestern and others. Iowa offered Riordan in June of 2024. Riordan has been on campus in Iowa City multiple times.

Iowa’s 2026 recruiting class is stacked with a group of touted offensive linemen. Five of Iowa’s nine verbal commitments in the class are offensive linemen. Here is a look at how that group breaks down (ratings according to 247Sports Composite):

• 4-star Hudson Parliament (South Dakota)
• 4-star Carson Nielsen (Iowa)
• 4-star Gene Riordan (Illinois)
• 3-star Owen Linder (Minnesota)
• 3-star Colin Whitters (Iowa)

Here are some highlights from Riordan’s junior season:

Riordan becomes the ninth verbal pledge in Iowa’s 2026 recruiting class, with eight of the nine coming on the offensive side of the ball.

Outside of the group of offensive linemen, the Hawkeyes also have a pledge from La Jolla (CA) quarterback Cash Herrera. There are also two wide receivers committed in the class — Brody Schaffer and Diondre Smith. Riordan’s commitment comes just one day after Smith’s.

Marcello Vitti currently stands as Iowa’s lone commitment on the defensive side of the ball in the class.

Follow Tyler Tachman on X @Tyler_T15, contact via email at ttachman@gannett.com