Generally, it simply takes one minor factor to start out the ball of momentum rolling. For the Hawkeyes, after issues got here to a standstill on the recruiting path because the soccer season kicked off, maybe it was the homecoming weekend jam-packed with recruits that’s poised to set the ball rolling as soon as once more.

That large weekend obtained off on the proper foot with the announcement by Iowa Western DT Anterio Thompson that he can be becoming a member of the Hawkeyes. On Friday night time, Florida RB Kamari Moulton stored the momentum going.

Now, just some hours later, Iowa has obtained a second dedication from final weekend’s group of holiday makers as former North Dakota State commit Kade Pieper introduced he’s now a Hawkeye.

Pieper is an intriguing prospect for Iowa. At 6’4” and 235 kilos, the Norfolk, Nebraska native seems to be like a prototypical construct for an Iowa tight finish. However Pieper shouldn’t be a good finish. At Norfolk Catholic, he performs each methods lining up main at defensive and offensive line.

Whenever you activate the movie, you instantly see the kind of physicality, athleticism and toughness that Iowa has begun to focus on on the inside of the offensive line. Ever because the Tyler Linderbaum experiment turned a defensive deal with into an All-American heart, Iowa has been seeking to replicate that success in every recruiting class. Even this yr’s beginning heart, Logan Jones, is a transformed defensive lineman.

Pieper seems to be to be in an identical mildew. He strikes effectively for his measurement, which exhibits by way of on each side of the ball on movie. However what actually jumps off the display is his physicality and that nasty streak we’ve come to search for in Hawkeye linemen. Maybe that’s what drew North Dakota State to Pieper. The Bison have constructed a status of their very own for creating offensive linemen.

Past NDSU, Pieper additionally held gives from North Dakota and South Dakota, however given his lack of measurement for an offensive lineman he had no energy 5 gives and was rated as only a 2-star athlete by Rivals. 247 Sports activities didn’t assign a ranking.

Search for Pieper to return to Iowa Metropolis with one other 10-15 kilos already on his body and searching so as to add 25-30 kilos in a redshirt yr. At 270-280 kilos, he would then be primed to start competing as a redshirt freshman whereas persevering with to develop his method and filling out his body additional.

After Moulton dedicated earlier on Friday night, Pieper takes Iowa’s recruiting class of 2023 to 19 whole commitments. That’s nonetheless good for twenty fourth nationally in response to Rivals and twenty eighth per 247 Sports activities. Maintain your eyes peeled as there are rumblings the Hawkeyes might not be achieved with their homecoming haul.

Welcome aboard Kade Pieper!

Kade Pieper, OL
Ht: 6’4”
Wt: 240 lbs
Hometown: Norfolk, NE (Norfolk Catholic)
Stars: 247 Sports activities – NR; Rivals – 2