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What are Iowa football’s recruiting needs for early signing day? What to know

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What are Iowa football’s recruiting needs for early signing day? What to know


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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.

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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.

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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.

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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



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Groundbreaking held for Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity’s 16th Woman Build

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Groundbreaking held for Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity’s 16th Woman Build


IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) — Volunteers broke ground Saturday for Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity’s 16th Woman Build, honoring a retired University of Iowa nursing professor.

Liz Swanson, a retired nursing professor, was chosen as this year’s honoree for her decades of impact. The Women Build program focuses on including women in every step of home construction.

While the home is built in Swanson’s honor, it will go to a fellow nurse and mother of three. The family applied through the affordable housing program.

Swanson said she’s proud to be part of a project that directly connects to her nursing legacy.

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“It’s very special to have the unique opportunity to help the nurse who is working nights,” Swanson said.

Swanson said stable housing gives families the security to plan for the future.

“It means security for families. We talked briefly to the children and they said, ‘we’re gonna have our own bedroom,’” Swanson said.

Volunteers are set to begin work on the home in August. Those interested in volunteering can find more information here.

Copyright 2026 KCRG. All rights reserved.

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Iowa Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 Midday results for May 8, 2026

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The Iowa Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big with rewards ranging from $1,000 to millions. The most an Iowan has ever won from playing the lottery was $343 million in 2018 off the Powerball.

Don’t miss out on the winnings. Here’s a look at Friday, May 8, 2026, winning numbers for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 8 drawing

37-47-49-51-58, Mega Ball: 16

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Pick-3 numbers from May 8 drawing

Midday: 0-5-8

Evening: 9-9-2

Check Pick-3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick-4 numbers from May 8 drawing

Midday: 0-2-7-3

Evening: 0-7-0-6

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Check Pick-4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 8 drawing

14-16-21-43-51, Bonus: 03

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Iowa Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
  • Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
  • Pick 3 (Day): 12:20 p.m. CT daily.
  • Pick 3 (Evening): 10:00 p.m. CT daily.
  • Pick 4 (Day): 12:20 p.m. CT daily.
  • Pick 4 (Evening): 10:00 p.m. CT daily.
  • Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Iowa editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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Iowa SNAP restrictions raise concerns over confusion, impact on summer food aid

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Iowa SNAP restrictions raise concerns over confusion, impact on summer food aid


Iowa’s new restrictions on SNAP benefits are drawing concern from advocates who say the changes could make it harder for families to buy food and could put future summer assistance for children at risk.

The state’s SNAP waiver took effect January 1, 2026, limiting what items can be purchased based on Iowa’s taxable food list. While that includes widely discussed restrictions on soda and candy, the policy also affects certain prepared foods, creating confusion for shoppers.

“Something as small as whether or not a utensil is included in a food item actually impacts whether or not you can continue to purchase that item using your SNAP benefits,” Paige Chickering, Iowa State Manager for the Save the Children Action Network, said.

Advocates say the rules can be difficult to navigate, especially for people relying on quick meals. Items like prepackaged salads or sandwiches may or may not qualify depending on how they are packaged.

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At the same time, new legislation slated for the next session at the statehouse could make those restrictions more permanent by requiring Iowa to continue seeking federal approval for the waiver.

That’s raising additional concerns about the future of Summer EBT, also known as “Sun Bucks,” which provides food assistance to children when school is out.

“This makes that food assistance dependent on a decision made in Washington, D.C. that is just arbitrary and not really dependent on the needs of Iowans and Iowa children,” Chickering said.

The program is expected to help around 220,000 children in Iowa during the summer months. Advocates worry leaving it up to federal approval of the waiver could jeopardize that support if policies change. They also point out that SNAP plays a major role in addressing hunger compared to other resources.

“We know that for every one meal provided by an emergency feeding organization, SNAP provides nine,” Chickering said.

Advocates say they support improving nutrition but argue there are more effective, evidence based ways to do that without limiting food choices.

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For now, organizations across Iowa are working to help families understand the new rules, while also pushing lawmakers to reconsider how the policy could impact food access moving forward.



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