Iowa

‘It sold out in 45 minutes.’ Iowa can’t wait to celebrate Caitlin Clark homecoming

Published

11 months ago

May 4, 2025

‘It sold out in 45 minutes.’ Iowa can’t wait to celebrate Caitlin Clark homecoming

Lisa Bluder will be among 15,000 in Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday to cheer Caitlin Clark. She recalls the exact moment she knew Clark became a star.

INDIANAPOLIS — Former Iowa women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder remembers the exact moment she saw Caitlin Clark’s game make national news for the first time.

It was Feb. 6, 2022, and the Hawkeyes were stuck in the airport after a sobering loss to Michigan in Ann Arbor. It was a game where Iowa was down by as many as 22 points, and at points, seemed insurmountable.

With Clark, though, it wasn’t truly over.

The sophomore took over the game in the fourth quarter, scoring 21 points and making four 3-pointers over six minutes. Every 3 seemed like it was going to be a heat check; each time, it went in. At one point, she pushed her way through all five of Michigan’s defenders for a layup, causing the Iowa bench to throw their hands up in disbelief.

Clark ended up scoring 46 points that night, setting a Crisler Center record and a new career high. It was a loss, but it got what the young superstar thought was something even bigger — a spot on SportsCenter’s Top 10.

The Hawkeyes stared at the airport TV in awe as they saw Clark’s efforts broadcasted on national television.

“Coach Bluder wasn’t even that mad that we didn’t win. She was like, staring at the TV like, ‘Oh my gosh,’” Clark told David Letterman on ‘My Next Guest Needs No Introduction.’ “Everybody was just kind of in awe. Even I was like ‘Wow, we’re on SportsCenter. We made SportsCenter top 10.’”

Bluder remembers it slightly different, but she knew it was the start of Clark’s superstardom. And they were witnessing it in real time.

“We could see the ESPN replays going on, but I remember being a little more disappointed than she does about the loss, because obviously, you’re going there to win,” Bluder told IndyStar. “But also, you know, I was just amazed at the way that she brought us back and gave us an opportunity to win that game.

“That’s when it really did start to explode, because then all the men’s basketball players and armchair point guards were all of a sudden paying attention to what was going on.”

ESPN’s cameras will be back at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday as Clark brings her Indiana Fever to Iowa City to face the Brazilian National team in a celebration and thank you from the state she gave so much to.

Clark became a household name what seemed like overnight after that Michigan game. The Hawkeyes recorded three sellouts in 2022, including when they hosted the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament in Iowa City.

By the time Clark’s junior year came around, she was a household name. The curtains, which blocked out unsold seats at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, were permanently up. Fans came from near and far to see the Hawkeye sensation, who was on her way to becoming the undisputed National Player of the Year.

“It was even international, like people were coming from other countries to watch her,” Bluder said. “There were newspaper reporters from France coming to interview and talk about her. It wasn’t an Iowa thing, it wasn’t a Big Ten thing, it wasn’t a Midwest thing. It really was a national phenomenon. It’s fun to be a part of something like that, right? I mean, you know, it can be tiring, it can be pressure-filled, but it’s also a lot of fun.”

It was something special with Clark, too. Not many players, in the men’s and women’s game, had the amount of juice she did. Not many players could garner those constant sold-out crowds, home and away, as a college player, and help set higher and higher viewership records.

It had to do with her game, of course — her long-range 3-pointers and crafty, no-look passes drew a lot of people in. But what made people stick around, Bluder said, was the type of person Clark is off the court.

“I think it’s her style of play, and I think it’s her relatability,” Bluder said. “I think people can really relate to her, just because she is so honest and she’s humble. People really can relate to that, and they want to get behind that. I think we’ve had great role models for women, but I think Caitlin’s popularity took it to a whole other level.”

It also had to do with her loyalty to her hometown team. Clark, who grew up in Des Moines, chose Iowa over other potential college destinations, including Notre Dame (which she originally committed to).

She played in the time of name, image, and likeness and in an era where players could transfer freely as many times as they wanted. Surely, Clark had interest from some of the women’s basketball blue bloods. Through all the fame and sponsorship deals, that was never something she considered. She wanted to be successful, but not without her hometown Hawkeyes.

“That’s not Caitlin,” Bluder said. “Caitlin is a loyal Iowan, and it never entered my mind that she would leave, never. And we never had that discussion. I just don’t even think it was on the radar. I just think that would have hurt her brand a little bit, but I don’t think that’s why she did what she did (in staying). She really enjoyed playing in Carver, being a Hawkeye, and representing our state.”

Now, Hawkeye fans are rewarding the loyal Iowan and two-time National Player of the Year with a sold-out WNBA game at her alma mater.

Bluder, who is returning from an international vacation on Saturday, is making sure she gets back in time to see her, too.

“I mean, it sold out in 45 minutes,” Bluder said. “That’s how much enthusiasm there is to watch Caitlin playing again in Carver.”

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Iowa

When is the NFL draft? See prospect grades for Iowa, Iowa State players.

Published

4 hours ago

April 4, 2026

Press Room

When is the NFL draft? See prospect grades for Iowa, Iowa State players.

The 2026 NFL Combine has passed, Pro Days have wrapped up, and scouts and front‑office personnel from across the league are finishing their draft boards in preparation for April’s NFL Draft.

Here’s what to know about the 2026 NFL draft.

When is the 2026 NFL draft?

The 2026 NFL draft will begin with the first round on Thursday, April 23. Rounds 2 and 3 occur the following day, and the draft will conclude on its third day with Rounds 4-7 on Saturday, April 25.

Where is the 2026 NFL draft?

Pittsburgh — home of the Steelers — will host the 2026 NFL draft.

How to watch the 2026 NFL draft

Live coverage of the NFL draft can be found on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and the NFL Network. Coverage is also available on NFL+, ESPN Select, ESPN Unlimited and Fubo TV.

Thursday, April 23: Round 1 starts at 7 p.m. CT
Friday, April 24: Round 2 and Round 3 start at 6 p.m. CT
Saturday, April 25: Rounds 4-7 start at 11 a.m. CT

Watch the NFL Draft on ESPN+

How are NFL draft prospects graded?

Using NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein’s grading scale, players are evaluated based on their physical traits, on-field performance and projected role. Here’s how that scale breaks down.

8: Perfect prospect
7.3-7.5: Perennial All-Pro
7.0-7.1: Pro Bowl talent
6.7-6.9: Year 1 starter
6.5-6.6: Boom-or-bust potential
6.40-6.49: Will become a good starter within two years
6.30-6.39: Will eventually be plus starter
6.20-6.29: Will eventually be an average starter
6.10-6.19: Good backup with the potential to develop into a starter
6.0-6.09: Traits or talent to be above-average backup
5.80-5.99: Average backup or special-teamer
5.60-5.69: Candidate for bottom of roster or practice squad
5.50-5.59: Priority undrafted free agent

For context, the highest-graded player in the year’s entire draft class was former Ohio State linebacker/defensive end Arvell Reese, who earned a rating of 7.04. Reese ran the fastest 40-yard dash at the defensive end position, clocking a 4.46, and is considered a top-five draft pick after earning All-American and Big Ten Linebacker of the Year honors in 2025.

Similar to high school recruiting rankings, these evaluations aren’t an exact science. They’re projections, and players can ultimately exceed or fall short of them.

For example, before becoming a multiple-time Pro Bowler, George Kittle received a 5.90 grade. Similarly, former Iowa State Cyclones football quarterback Brock Purdy was given a 5.57 rating before outperforming that projection at the NFL level.

What Iowa football players are graded ahead of the 2026 NFL draft?

Here is a breakdown of the prospect grades for Iowa football players according to NFL.com. Combine data, including 40‑yard dash and vertical jump results, is listed where available, though not all 2026 draft‑eligible players were invited to or participated in the Combine.

Gennings Dunker, offensive line: 6.24 (Will eventually be an average starter) − Fifth out of 24 guards in highest prospect grade, according to NFL.com
- 40-yard dash: 5.18 seconds (20th out of 39 offensive linemen)
- Vertical jump: 32.5″ (tied 5th out of the 40 offensive linemen)
- 20-yard shuttle: 4.63 seconds (3rd out of 12 offensive linemen)
Logan Jones, center: 6.2 (Will eventually be an average starter)− Tied fourth out of 15 centers in prospect grade.
- 40-yard dash: 4.90 seconds (1st out of 39 offensive linemen)
- 3-cone drill: 7.46 seconds (2nd out of 14 offensive linemen)
- 20-yard shuttle: 4.53 seconds (2nd out of 12 offensive linemen)

TJ Hall, defensive back: 5.98 (Average backup or special-teamer) − 16th out of 33 defensive backs in prospect grade.
- 40-yard dash: 4.59 seconds (14th out of 20 cornerbacks)
- Vertical jump: 36″ (12th out of the 23 cornerbacks)
- 20-yard shuttle: 4.19 seconds (2nd out of 5 cornerbacks)
Kaden Wetjen, wide receiver: 5.98 (Average backup or special-teamer) − 21st out of 55 wide receivers in prospect grade.
- 40-yard dash: 4.47 seconds (tied 15th out of 34 wide receivers)
- Vertical jump: 35.5″ (13th out of 30 wide receivers)
- 3 cone drill: 6.95 seconds (3rd out of 7 wide receivers)
Beau Stephens, offensive line: 5.97 (Average backup or special-teamer) − 10th out of 24 guards in prospect grade.
- 40-yard dash: 5.35 seconds (27th out of 39 offensive linemen)
- Vertical jump: 28″ (tied 14th out of 40 offensive linemen)
- Broad jump: 8.6″ (15th out of 40 offensive linemen)
Max Llewellyn, defensive end: 5.97 (Average backup or special-teamer) − Tied 28th out of 41 defensive ends in prospect grade.
- 40-yard dash: 4.81 seconds (15th out of 20 defensive ends)
- Vertical jump: 32.5″ (tied 12th out of 17 defensive ends)
- Broad jump: 9.7″ (tied 10th out of 16 defensive ends)
Drew Stevens, kicker: 5.81 (Average backup or special-teamer) − Tied second out of three kickers in prospect grade.
- No specialists (kicker, punter) participated in any measurable athletic drills during the NFL Combine.

Xavier Nwankpa, safety: 5.69 (Candidate for bottom of roster or practice squad) − Tied 22nd out of 28 safeties in prospect grade.
- 40-yard dash: 4.48 seconds (8th out of 14 safeties)
- 10-yard split: 1.62 seconds (tied 9th out of 14 safeties)
- Vertical jump: 37.5″ (6th out of 16 safeties)
Karson Sharar, linebacker: 5.68 (Candidate for bottom of roster or practice squad)− Tied 24th out of 32 linebackers in prospect grade.
- Vertical jump: 40″ (tied 2nd out of 14 linebackers)
- 40-yard dash: 4.56 seconds (5th out of 12 linebackers)
- Broad jump: 10.3″ (5th out of 14 linebackers)

Which Iowa State football player is graded ahead of the 2026 NFL draft?

Out of the more than 350 players given a draft prospect grade by NFL.com, only one Cyclone was recognized among the prospects.

Iowa State defensive lineman Domonique Orange was rated the fifth highest out of 34 defensive tackles with a prospect grade of 6.24 (will eventually be an average starter). The 2025 All-Big 12 third-team member is the 78th highest-rated player according to NFL.com.

The Kansas City native was invited to the 2026 NFL Draft Combine and appeared in Indianapolis to interview with teams, but opted not to participate in the on‑field drills. Most mock drafts have Orange projected as a Day 2 NFL draft pick.

Last year’s starting offensive linemen, James Neal III and Jim Bonifas, were among about a dozen former Cyclones who participated in Iowa State’s Pro Day on March 24 to raise their draft profiles or improve their chances of signing as undrafted free agents.

Northern Iowa also held its pro day on March 23, while Iowa hosted its on March 26, which featured all of the aforementioned players along with former Hawkeyes such as quarterback Mark Gronowski and defensive lineman Aaron Graves, all of whom worked out in front of scouts from all 32 NFL teams.

Kadyn Proctor graded as a top NFL Draft prospect

NFL.com gave former Southeast Polk football star Kadyn Proctor a 6.45 prospect grade, claiming he “Will become a good starter within two years.” Proctor tied with former Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson as the 10th-highest rated prospect, according to NFL.com.

ESPN projects the former Alabama offensive lineman to be drafted with the 24th pick by the Cleveland Browns. Proctor, a native of Des Moines, is fourth among all offensive lineman prospects according to USA TODAY.

Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.

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Iowa

Iowa High School Boys Track And Field Leaders

Published

16 hours ago

April 3, 2026

Press Room

Iowa High School Boys Track And Field Leaders

We are still weeks away from the state track and field meet in Iowa, but high school athletes around the state are starting to get outdoors to post times and leave marks.

High School on SI previously posted the leaders in Iowa high school track and field for the girls, so now, we head over to the boys. Just like with that one, the numbers below are from the Bound website and up-to-date as of April 3, 2026.

Iowa High School Boys Track And Field Event Leaders

100-Meter Dash

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Connor Kunze, Nevada, 10.48
Kaiden Kunze, Norwalk, 10.52
Noah Ross, Ankeny Centennial, 10.61
Adam Kacmarynski, Pella Christian, 10.69
Deztin McMurrin, Waterloo West, 10.70

200-Meter Dash

Marcus Tomlyanovich, Cedar Falls, 21.73
Zane Johnson, ADM, 21.90
Cauy Konz, Treynor, 22.08
Dawson Dougherty, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 22.09
Lincoln Bainbridge, Van Buren County, 22.10

400-Meter Dash

Drew Bennis, Cedar Rapids Prairie, 48.52
Harrison Mullens, Pella, 48.85
Lincoln Bainbridge, Van Buren County, 49.10
Will Bertrand, Sioux City Bishop Heelan, 49.43
Gage Tucker, Bettendorf, 49.55

800-Meter Run

Brennen Hoyer, Cedar Falls, 1:53.72
AJ Willey, Bettendorf, 1:54.27
Keegan Decker, Iowa City Liberty, 1:54.44
Canaan Dunham, Pella, 1:54.73
Ayden Gabrielson, Waukee Northwest, 1:54.79

1600-Meter Run

Quentin Nauman, Western Dubuque, 4:03.65
Keegan Decker, Iowa City Liberty, 4:04.33
Kuma Gutema, Sioux City North, 4:12.40
Logan Bleich, Gilbert, 4:14.67
Canaan Dunham, Pella, 4:15.92

3200-Meter Run

Keegan Decker, Iowa City Liberty, 8:59.49
Quentin Nauman, Western Dubuque, 9:07.03
AJ Willey, Bettendorf, 9:08.52
Slader Buckheister, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 9:08.54
Canaan Dunham, Pella, 9:12.27

110-Meter Hurdles

Tay Seals, Clear Creek-Amana, 13.92
Hayden Carlson, Ankeny, 14.07
Caiden Johnson, Pella, 14.16
Blake Ludwig, Waukee Northwest, 14.25
Miciah LeLaCheur, Valley, 14.30

400-Meter Hurdles

J.J. McDermott, Bettendorf, 54.42
Wil Pauli, Cedar Falls, 54.78
Jayden Jeter, Waukee, 54.92
Owen Von Ahsen, Benton, 54.92
Tate Marco, Sibley-Ocheyedan, 55.14

Long Jump

Rylan Peters, Waverly-Shell Rock, 23-8
Kaiden Kunze, Norwalk, 23-3
Jayden Stephens, Waverly-Shell Rock, 22-11
Ezekiel Symonds, Independence, 22-10.5
Jamaul Richardson Willamsburg, 22-8

High Jump

Ajak Malual, Waukee, 6-9
Logan Athlerton, Norwalk, 6-8
Eli Patterson, Benton, 6-7
Miciah LeLaCheur, Valley, 6-6
Spencer Casey, Cascade, 6-5.5

Shot Put

Greyson Hartman, Washington, 67-3.5
Morgan Cooley, East Union, 59-11
Max Nevitt, Algona, 59-5.5
Carson Divis, Hinton, 57-6
Shem Mally, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 57-5.5

Discus

Greyson Hartman, Washington, 179-9
Aiden Curtis, Indianola, 179-2
Daxon Kiesau, Urbandale, 176-8
Colin Whitters, Iowa City West, 167-1
Reece Winery, Southeast Polk, 166-5

100-Meter Wheel Chair

Titus Steng, Shenandoah, 17.01
Eli Johnson, Bedford, 18.58
Josh Anderson, Washington, 20.45
Logan Shwery, Ankeny Centennial, 23.50
Ryan Stevenson, Pleasant Valley, 31.23

200-Meter Wheel Chair

Titus Steng, Shenandoah, 31.66
Eli Johnson, Bedford, 33.89
Issac Anderson, Washington, 37.32
Josh Anderson, Washington, 37.34
Logan Shwery, Ankeny Centennial, 49.04

400-Meter Wheel Chair

Titus Steng, Shenandoah, 1:06.30
Eli Johnson, Bedford, 1:10.74
Isaac Anderson, Washington, 1:13.78
Logan Shwery, Ankeny Centennial, 1:28.32

800-Meter Wheel Chair

Titus Steng, Shenandoah, 2:21.91
Eli Johnson, Bedford, 2:41.25
Josh Anderson, Washington, 3:01.66

Shot Put Wheel Chair

Ryan Stevenson, Pleasant Valley, 16-11

100-Meter Ambulatory

Carter Swanson, Hudson, 15.35
Daniel Villa, Waterloo East, 15.49
Leighton Pullin, Waterloo East, 19.72
Daniel Carr, Waterloo East, 22.97

200-Meter Ambulatory

Cameron McGraw, Alburnett, 30.86
Carter Swanson, Hudson, 32.19

400-Meter Ambulatory

Carter Swanson, Hudson, 1:14.41

4×100-Meter Relay

Gilbert, 42.21
Cedar Rapids Jefferson, 42.61
Treynor, 42.70
Western Dubuque, 42.79
Waukee Northwest, 42.86

4×200-Meter Relay

Valley, 1:26.29
Clear Lake, 1:27.55
Waukee Northwest, 1:28.54
ADM, 1:28.60
Cedar Rapids Prairie, 1:29.30

4×400-Meter Relay

Clear Lake, 3:20.37
Cedar Falls, 3:21.03
Waukee Northwest, 3:23.95
Sioux City Bishop Heelan, 3:24.10
Cedar Rapids Prairie, 3:24.62

4×800-Meter Relay

Waukee Northwest, 7:55.90
Cedar Falls, 7:57.36
Dallas Center-Grimes, 8:02.78
Johnston, 8:03.88
Unity Christian, 8:04.19

Sprint Medley Relay

Clear Creek-Amana, 1:34.37
Sibley-Ocheyedan, 1:35.17
Muscatine, 1:35.57
Cedar Rapids Prairie, 1:35.76
Mount Vernon, 1:35.86

Distance Medley Relay

Ankeny Centennial, 3:26.51
Waukee Northwest, 3:30.23
Gilbert, 3:32.46
Dallas Center-Grimes, 3:33.16
Ankeny, 3:34.82

Shuttle Hurdle Relay

Pella, 58.29
Iowa City West, 58.61
Treynor, 58.87
Waukee Northwest, 58.95
Ankeny, 59.02

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Iowa

Where will Iowa basketball spending rank in transfer portal?

Published

1 day ago

April 3, 2026

Press Room

Where will Iowa basketball spending rank in transfer portal?

You have to pay to play.

That’s the way the new world of college sports works, especially football and men’s basketball, the two moneymakers for programs across the country. The financial aspect of competing is looming larger than ever now, and to win in those sports, it requires serious financial backing.

It costs now to recruit top talent from high school and even more to lure in top talent from the transfer portal, which can infuse instant upgrades to a roster. The Iowa Hawkeyes had a portal-heavy roster this year during their magical Elite 8 run during March Madness and will once again be shopping for more high-end talent.

Iowa won’t just be among the big spenders in the Big Ten, but On3’s Pete Nakos believes Iowa is going to be among those big spenders in the sport of college basketball, potentially nearing double-figures in the millions.

The Next Tier: $8 to $10 million
Louisville, Texas A&M, Iowa, St. Louis, Providence and BYU make up the next tier of top spenders, all expected to spend over $8 million and can touch $10 million if they want. Other top spenders of note will likely be Virginia and Washington, among others.
Alabama was in the $8 to $10 million range this season, and the Crimson Tide are expected to have similar funding available. They will be able to crack into the next tier if they need to, sources said. – Pete Nakos, On3

Iowa’s first priority via the transfer portal is replacing the crater-sized hole in the starting lineup left by point guard Bennett Stirtz, who carried this team at times this year and was the engine that made this team go.

After that, Iowa needs to add size on the interior. While they were able to play most of the year, finding ways to win despite lacking some size, having a true big man only further unlocks Ben McCollum’s offense.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7

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