Iowa
What are Iowa football’s recruiting needs for early signing day? What to know
Kirk Ferentz sizes up his team’s 40-16 win over Nebraska, 8-4 finish
The Iowa head coach said his team knows how to fight and compete for the full 60 minutes.
IOWA CITY — The early signing period begins on Wednesday, Dec. 3.
Here’s a guide previewing Iowa football’s recruiting endeavors in the 2026 high school class.
The Hawkeyes currently have 17 known scholarship commitments, plus four preferred walk-on pledges.
The offensive line is one of the highlights of Iowa’s class. The Hawkeyes have five commitments in the class, three of whom are regarded as four-star prospects, according to the 247Sports Composite.
Iowa has done well to keep in-state talent home. According to the 247Sports Composite, five of the top eight players in the state’s 2026 recruiting class are committed to the Hawkeyes, including the top three. Iowa got two of those five from right in their backyard — Iowa City West’s Julian Manson and Colin Whitters.
There are some promising pieces for the future of Iowa’s long-ailing passing game. Quarterback Tradon Bessinger is the top-ranked player in Iowa’s 2026 class, according to the 247Sports Composite. He is accompanied by a trio of 3-star receivers. The Hawkeyes also recently landed Norwalk’s Luke Brewer, a highly sought-after four-star tight end.
Iowa has been a linebacker pipeline to the next level. There are some well-regarded players set to arrive at that position in this class. In-state prospects Manson and Kasen Thomas are each rated as four-star recruits. The trio of linebackers in the class also includes 3-star Billy Weivoda.
What remains unclear is what Iowa is going to do at kicker following the departure of Drew Stevens, the program’s all-time leader in made field goals. At this moment, the only kicker projected to be on Iowa’s 2026 roster is preferred walk-on Caden Buhr.
Iowa’s recruiting class is still subject to change. But here is who’s expected to officially become a Hawkeye during the early signing period.
Iowa football team recruiting rankings
The Hawkeyes rank 27th nationally in the team recruiting rankings, according to the 247Sports Composite.
Iowa football commitments in 2026 high school recruiting class
Tradon Bessinger
- Position: Quarterback
- High School: Davis
- Home state: Utah
- Rating (according to 247Sports Composite): Four-star
- National ranking (according to 247Sports Composite): 140
Julian Manson
- Position: Linebacker
- High School: Iowa City West
- Home state: Iowa
- Rating (according to 247Sports Composite): Four-star
- National ranking (according to 247Sports Composite): 183
Carson Nielsen
- Position: Offensive lineman
- High School: Waterloo West
- Home state: Iowa
- Rating (according to 247Sports Composite): Four-star
- National ranking (according to 247Sports Composite): 254
Darion Jones
- Position: Defensive back
- High School: Omaha North
- Home state: Nebraska
- Rating (according to 247Sports Composite): Four-star
- National ranking (according to 247Sports Composite): 266
Kasen Thomas
- Position: Linebacker
- High School: Bishop Heelan Catholic
- Home state: Iowa
- Rating (according to 247Sports Composite): Four-star
- National ranking (according to 247Sports Composite): 289
Gene Riordan
- Position: Offensive lineman
- High School: Hinsdale Central
- Home state: Illinois
- Rating (according to 247Sports Composite): Four-star
- National ranking (according to 247Sports Composite): 321
Hudson Parliament
- Position: Offensive lineman
- High School: Brandon Valley
- Home state: South Dakota
- Rating (according to 247Sports Composite): Four-star
- National ranking (according to 247Sports Composite): 330
Luke Brewer
- Position: Tight end
- High School: Norwalk
- Home state: Iowa
- Rating (according to 247Sports Composite): Four-star
- National ranking (according to 247Sports Composite): 448
Billy Weivoda
- Position: Linebacker
- High School: Milton
- Home state: Georgia
- Rating (according to 247Sports Composite): Three-star
- National ranking (according to 247Sports Composite): 496
Marcello Vitti
- Position: Defensive back
- High School: Divine Child
- Home state: Michigan
- Rating (according to 247Sports Composite): Three-star
- National ranking (according to 247Sports Composite): 546
Owen Linder
- Position: Offensive lineman
- High School: Chanhassen
- Home state: Minnesota
- Rating (according to 247Sports Composite): Three-star
- National ranking (according to 247Sports Composite): 600
Colin Whitters
- Position: Offensive lineman
- High School: Iowa City West
- Home state: Iowa
- Rating (according to 247Sports Composite): Three-star
- National ranking (according to 247Sports Composite): 600
Brody Schaffer
- Position: Wide receiver
- High School: Winneconne
- Home state: Wisconsin
- Rating (according to 247Sports Composite): Three-star
- National ranking (according to 247Sports Composite): 677
Xavier Stinson
- Position: Wide receiver
- High School: Vero Beach
- Home state: Florida
- Rating (according to 247Sports Composite): Three-star
- National ranking (according to 247Sports Composite): 677
Sawyer Jezierski
- Position: Defensive lineman
- High School: Edina
- Home state: Minnesota
- Rating (according to 247Sports Composite): Three-star
- National ranking (according to 247Sports Composite): 964
Diondre Smith
- Position: Wide receivers
- High School: Duncan U. Fletcher
- Home state: Florida
- Rating (according to 247Sports Composite): Three-star
- National ranking (according to 247Sports Composite): 1,048
Ronnie Hill
- Position: Defensive back
- High School: Adlai Stevenson
- Home state: Michigan
- Rating (according to 247Sports Composite): Three-star
- National ranking (according to 247Sports Composite): 1,048
Preferred walk-ons
Isaiah Oliver
- Position: Wide receiver
- High School: Waukee
- Home state: Iowa
- Rating (according to 247Sports Composite): N/A
- National ranking (according to 247Sports Composite): N/A
Noah Daniel
- Position: Defensive back
- High School: Fort Dodge
- Home state: Iowa
- Rating (according to 247Sports Composite): N/A
- National ranking (according to 247Sports Composite): N/A
David Fason
- Position: Defensive lineman
- High School: Cedar Rapids Prairie
- Home state: Iowa
- Rating (according to 247Sports Composite): N/A
- National ranking (according to 247Sports Composite): N/A
Eli Robbins
- Position: Defensive back
- High School: Norwalk
- Home state: Iowa
- Rating (according to 247Sports Composite): N/A
- National ranking (according to 247Sports Composite): N/A
Follow Tyler Tachman on X @Tyler_T15, contact via email at ttachman@gannett.com
Iowa
2026 Iowa high school boys basketball state tournament brackets, schedule
Ballard boys basketball players talk qualifying for state
Ballard’s Jude Gibson, Parker Miller and Evan Abbott discuss a 79-45 3A Substate 7 final win over Oskaloosa to punch the Bombers’ ticket to state.
The Iowa high school boys state basketball tournament is just around the corner and the full field has now been set.
By March 13, four teams will be crowned state champions and there are plenty of worthy squads vying for the title. On Tuesday, the final brackets were released and we now have a clear picture of the eight teams in each class hoping to take home the trophy.
Here’s a look at the first-round pairings and the full state tournament schedule for next week’s IHSAA action.
Class 4A Iowa boys state basketball tournament schedule
State quarterfinals, Monday, March 9
- No. 4 Dowling Catholic vs No. 5 Dubuque Senior, 5:30 p.m.
- No. 1 Cedar Falls vs No. 8 Urbandale, 7:15 p.m.
Tuesday, March 10
- No. 3 Waukee Northwest vs. No. 6 Johnston, 10:30 a.m.
- No. 2 Waukee vs No. 7 Cedar Rapids Prairie, 12:15 p.m.
State semifinals, Thursday, March 12
- TBD vs. TBD, 10:30 a.m.
- TBD vs. TBD, 12:15 a.m.
State championship game, Friday, March 13
Class 3A Iowa boys state basketball tournament schedule
State quarterfinals: Monday, March 9
- No. 1 Ballard vs. No. 8 Gilbert, 10:30 a.m.
- No. 4 Pella vs. No. 5 Carroll, 12:15 p.m.
- No. 2 ADM vs. No. 7 Xavier, 2 p.m.
- No. 3 Storm Lake vs. No. 6 Solon, 3:45 p.m.
State semifinals, Wednesday, March 11
- TBD vs. TBD, 5:30 p.m.
- TBD vs. TBD, 7:15 p.m.
State championship game, Friday, March 13
Class 2A Iowa boys state basketball tournament schedule
State quarterfinals: Wednesday, March 11
- No. 1 Kuemper Catholic vs. No. 8 Union Community, 10:30 a.m
- No. 4 Treynor vs. No. 5 Grundy Center, 12:15 p.m
- No. 2 Unity Christian vs. No. 7 Western Christian, 2 p.m.
- No. 3 Regina Catholic vs. No. 6 Aplington-Parkersburg, 3:45 p.m.
State semifinals, Thursday, March 12
- TBD vs. TBD, 5:30 p.m.
- TBD vs TBD, 7:15 p.m.
State title game, Friday, March 13
Class 1A Iowa boys state basketball tournament schedule
State quarterfinals: Tuesday, March 10
- No. 1 St. Edmond vs. No. 8 Woodbine, 2 p.m.
- No. 4 Notre Dame vs. No. 5 Bellevue, 3:45 p.m.
- No. 2 MMCRU vs. No. 7 Boyden-Hull, 5:30 p.m.
- No. 3 Bishop Garrigan vs. No. 6 Marquette Catholic, 7:15 p.m.
State semifinals, Thursday, March 12
- TBD vs TBD, 2 p.m.
- TBD vs TBD, 3:45 p.m.
State title game, Friday, March 13
Iowa
Iowa State announces gymnastics program will be discontinued
What to know about Iowa State canceling gymnastics season
What to know about Iowa State canceling gymnastics season
Iowa State University announced March 3 that it is cutting its women’s gymnastics program, weeks after abruptly canceling the remainder of the season due to what athletics director Jamie Pollard said were “unreconcilable differences” in the program.
Cyclone gymnasts were informed of the decision to cut the program by ISU associate athletics director Shamaree Brown in a meeting on Tuesday morning, two people with direct knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports Network.
Iowa State gymnastics head coach Ashley Miles Greig and her three assistant coaches were told that their contracts would not be renewed, the university’s news release stated. Miles Greig’s contract was set to expire after the season on June 30, 2026.
Cyclones gymnasts will have the option to remain at Iowa State to finish their degrees, or to transfer to another NCAA school to compete in gymnastics. If they stay at Iowa State, ISU will honor their scholarships. Iowa State’s release said its compliance department would work with the NCAA on waivers to help gymnasts receive an additional year of competition.
Tuesday’s announcement ended weeks of speculation about the program’s future that began when Iowa State canceled its gymnastics season on Feb. 8. In a statement at the time, Brown said the decision was because the Cyclones did not have enough athletes available to compete. In a letter to the gymnastics team and alumni on Feb. 17, Pollard wrote that the cancellation resulted from “a series of complex internal conflicts between individual teammates, coaching staff members, and parents,” language that Iowa State repeated in Tuesday’s release.
In a video released by the school, Pollard said Iowa State would take the next several months to decide which women’s sport would replace gymnastics so that the athletics department remains compliant with Title IX, a federal law that requires NCAA schools to provide proportional participation opportunities to men and women.
“I also want to say, this is not a financial decision. This is a student-athlete experience decision,” Pollard said in the video. “Adding another women’s sport will probably cost equal or more than what we’re already spending on the gymnastics program. This is about student-athlete experience.”
Pollard said that Iowa State conducted reviews of its gymnastics program in 2018 and 2023 stemming from unspecified issues. The 2023 review, conducted by an external law firm, led Iowa State to part ways with then-head coach Jay Ronayne. Miles Greig was hired in April 2023.
On Tuesday, Iowa State denied USA TODAY Sports Network’s public-records request for the findings of the university’s 2018 and 2023 gymnastics probes. In an email denying the request, Ann Lelis, a member of Iowa State’s office of general counsel, cited portions of state open records law that prevent the disclosure of personal information of students or public employees. Lelis also said the requested records were not subject to disclosure because they contained confidential attorney privileged documents.
In the video, Pollard said he asked his senior leadership team “to meet with those individuals in our department that work really closely with our gymnastics program and make a recommendation to me about what we should do going forward.”
The leadership team recommended to Pollard that the school discontinue the gymnastics program, Pollard said, and use those resources for a different women’s sport. Pollard accepted the recommendation from his staff, and he spoke with university leaders. “We are all on the same page,” he said. “This is the right decision for our athletics program and for our student-athletes.”
Cyclone gymnast Samantha Schneider, a redshirt freshman, wrote in an Instagram post on Tuesday that she was heartbroken by the decision and criticized Iowa State’s administration for deflecting blame onto the gymnasts.
“Terrible that this is the result of the lack of support from Iowa State’s Athletic Administration,” Schneider wrote. “For the last 5 months, we have come forward as a team regarding (certain) situations and environment concerns and nothing has been done to protect us as athletes on this team. The gymnasts should NOT be blamed or be sharing any part of the responsibility for this decision being made.”
A former member of this season’s coaching staff also mourned the decision in a text message to USA TODAY Sports Network on Tuesday. The person requested anonymity for fear of repercussions.
“At the end of the day this is unfair to the athletes and the alumni that have built this program and have continued to ask for better,” the coach wrote. “It appears that the department was looking for an easy way out or an easy solution, not realizing they would hurt a lot of people in the process. My only hope is that the athletes can come back stronger than ever.”
Miles Greig could not be immediately reached for comment when contacted Tuesday morning by USA TODAY Sports Network.
The Iowa State gymnastics team participated in four competitions this season before the athletics department shut down the remainder of the season on Feb. 8. Nick Joos, Iowa State’s senior associate athletic director for communications, told USA TODAY Sports Network at the time that the cancellation was due to a “combination of injuries and other health issues.”
During what ended up as Iowa State’s final meet against Denver on Feb. 1, several Cyclone gymnasts fell off the uneven bars. The Cyclones forfeited their next meet on Feb. 6 against West Virginia, with Miles Greig saying in a statement, “At this time, we do not have enough student-athletes available to safely field a team against West Virginia, and regrettably must cancel this competition.”
Two days after that, Brown met with gymnasts on Feb. 8 at Iowa State’s on-campus practice gym and informed them that their season would not continue.
Iowa State’s annual financial report submitted to the NCAA for fiscal year 2025 showed the gymnastics program generated $287,392 in total operating revenues with $1.69 million in expenses, a gap of about $1.4 million. Iowa State allotted 14 scholarships to gymnastics. Football and men’s basketball are the only Iowa State sports in which revenue exceeds spending.
Cyclone gymnastics recruits who had committed to the program for the 2026-27 season can commit to a different school or attend Iowa State and have their scholarship agreements honored.
Former Iowa State gymnast Shea Mattingly, whose last name was Anderson when she graduated in 2012, said she had been in contact with other former members of the team after Tuesday’s announcement.
“We’re all frustrated. We’re all angry,” Mattingly said. “That (Pollard) video made us all really mad, honestly. … It places all the blame on these student-athletes whereas the administration’s accountability in this, they hired these coaches that maybe it seems like they couldn’t handle the program.”
Mattingly said she and other alums aren’t giving up hope on the future of the program.
“I think we’re still going to fight,” she said. “So we’re going to send emails. We’re going to call. We’re going to do all we can, even though it seems his mind has been made up.”
Iowa
Seven Of Eight 3A Slots Filled For Iowa High School Boys State Tournament
Seven of the eight spots for the upcoming Class 3A Iowa High School Athletic Association Boys State Tournament were determined Monday night in substate championship action.
Advancing to the Casey’s Center in Des Moines, Iowa were ADM, Ballard, Storm Lake, Carroll, Gilbert, Pella and Solon. On Tuesday, Cedar Rapids Xavier will play Dubuque Wahlert Catholic, as that game was moved due to the Dubuque Wahlert Catholic girls competing in the girls state tournament.
The seven teams advancing were all the higher seeds, as six of the seven picked up victories on their home court. The other – Storm Lake’s 66-53 win over Sergeant Bluff-Luton – was held at nearby Buena Vista University.
ADM claimed a 30-point decision over Nevada while Ballard bested Oskaloosa, 79-45. Carroll claimed a three-point triumph vs. Sioux Center, Gilbert bested rival North Polk, 73-62, Pella eliminated Keokuk, 60-47, and Solon downed Central DeWitt, 49-44.
The state tournament bracket will be released following the conclusion of the Cedar Rapids Xavier-Dubuque Wahlert Catholic contest.
The 4A substate championships are also on deck for Tuesday evening.
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