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
Two Iowans sentenced to prison for creating child pornography
Child abuse: What signs to watch for if you suspect it
Child abuse includes physical, sexual, emotional and medical abuse, as well as neglect. Learn about signs, risk factors, how to get help.
Wochit, Wochit
Two Iowans will spend decades in federal prison after pleading guilty to separate child exploitation offenses.
Martin Menjivar, 59, of Iowa City, was sentenced Thursday, March 26, to 42 years in prison after pleading guilty to sexual exploitation of a child and child pornography possession. It comes days after Pry’Shayn Mosley, 21, of Fort Dodge was sentenced to 25 years for exploitation and receipt of child pornography.
Iowa City man picked up children from school, abused them
Menjivar, a citizen of Honduras, was charged in May 2025. In court filings, prosecutors say Menjivar was entrusted to pick up children, some as young as 5, from their elementary school and bring them to his wife’s home for after-school babysitting. In at least two cases, Mejivar used that access to get children alone and touch them inappropriately, recording the interaction on video.
Investigators reportedly found dozens of illicit images and videos on Menjivar’s electronic devices. Menjivar also previously worked as a school photographer in Honduras, and investigators found he had hundreds of photos from his former employment that focused on children’s clothed genitals.
“Defendant’s horrific actions of creating and collecting child pornography show violence against young, vulnerable children and a severe danger to the community,” prosecutors wrote in presentence filings.
Menjivar also has been charged in Johnson County with second-degree sexual abuse against two different children, apparently in relation to the same conduct. That case remains pending, with a plea hearing scheduled in May.
Fort Dodge man gets 25 years for enticing children
Mosley, who was sentenced March 23, was charged in January 2025. Prosecutors alleged that in 2022, he enticed two minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct, photographed or recorded it, and distributed the resulting pornography to others, including additional children.
In addition, during a warrant search that located drugs, guns and electronic devices containing child pornography, Mosley tried to get a juvenile at the scene to conceal drugs from the investigators.
Mosley pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation and receiving child pornography. Additional drug, pornography and exploitation charges were dismissed as part of a plea deal.
Menjivar was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa, while Mosley’s case was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa. Attorneys for Menjivar and Mosley did not immediately return messages Thursday seeking comment.
William Morris covers courts for the Des Moines Register. He can be contacted at wrmorris2@registermedia.com or 715-573-8166.
Iowa
Jada Williams among eight Iowa State players headed to transfer portal
Audi Crooks, Jada Williams reflect on loss to Syracuse
Iowa State’s Audi Crooks and Jada Williams discuss what went wrong in the second half for the Cyclones’ to fall to Syracuse.
Iowa State’s first-round exit from the 2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament has triggered a mass exodus, with a reported eight players leaving the team to enter the transfer portal.
Junior forward Addy Brown announced her decision to “move on” from Iowa State and enter the transfer portal in a social media post on Tuesday, March 24.
“This decision comes after a lot of thought about my future and goals,” Brown wrote in a post shared to social media. “While it’s never easy to move on, I believe this is the right step for me and I’m excited for what’s ahead as I continue to grow and chase my dreams.”
By Thursday, March. 26, several other players followed suit. Junior guard Jada Williams confirmed she’ll be “pursuing my dreams elsewhere” for her senior season. She added in a social media post, “Iowa State will always have a place in my heart and I’ll never forget the Iowa State way.”
Williams transferred to Iowa State for the 2025-26 season after playing for Arizona for the first two years of her career. William averaged career-highs in points (15.3), assists (7.7) and field goal percentage (41.7) in her lone season at Iowa State.
Iowa State freshman guard Reese Beaty, freshman guard Freya Jensen, sophomore guard Reagan Wilson, sophomore guard Aili Tanke, junior forward Alisa Williams and junior center Lilly Taulelei all intend to enter the transfer portal, according to On3’s Talia Goodman.
The transfer portal opens on Monday, April 6, following the NCAA Tournament championship game on Sunday, April 5.
Could Iowa State junior center Audi Crooks be next? Crooks declined to answer whether she would return next season following Iowa State’s 72-63 loss to Syracuse on Saturday, March 21. She instead said, “We’re all still processing everything and just being there for each other right now is the priority. That’s the main thing, making sure everybody is mentally OK through this tough time.”
Crooks had 37 points (17-of-25 FG) and five rebounds in the losing effort against Syracuse.
Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@usatoday.com and follow her on X at@CydHenderson.
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Iowa
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