Brad Fitzgibbon Visits Iowa Football

IL DL Takes in Hawkeye Spring Practice

Brad Fitzgibbon with Iowa assistant Kelvin Bell (Brad Fitzgibbon Twitter/X Account) /

Brad Fitzgibbon has learned a lot through the recruiting process. The Chicago Marist High defensive lineman gathered information and experiences visiting campuses and getting to know coaching staffs. 

His travels brought him to Iowa City on Tuesday. He watched the Hawkeyes work out during spring ball and met position coach Kelvin Bell. 

"I got a lot of personal time with coach Bell, which helped me learn who he was as a coach and a person," Fitzgibbon told HN.

"They run a smooth, intense practice, so I loved seeing the speed and level of play that the coaches expect from the players every practice."

Fitzgibbon (6-4, 280) reports scholarships offers from Kansas, Arizona State, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Iowa State, Kansas State and Vanderbilt, among others. He has official visits scheduled to Arizona State (April 26) and Kansas (June 7). 

The Hawkeyes will continue recruiting him. 

"Coach Bell is going to come by my school in a few weeks. I will have a better idea by then when I will visit (Iowa) again, but it’s definitely somewhere I look forward to going back to," he said.

Bell has been leading the program's pursuit of Fitzgibbon. 

"I’ve been in contact with coach Bell prior to my visit. When we initially spoke, he said he loves my size, dominance and relentless pursuit," Fitzgibbon said.

He jumped at the chance to visit the Hawkeyes. Growing up in Chicago, their history of development precedes them. 

"Iowa has always had a reputation of being a great football program with a top performing defense in the nation. Their coaching consistency is pretty rare now a days with coaches coming and going in programs," he said.

"So, the fact that Coach Bell, specifically, has been there and stayed true to that program while also having so much success with his defensive line made me want to know more when I was invited."

The On3 Industry rating ranks Fitzgibbon as the No. 51 defensive lineman nationally in the 2023 recruiting class. The index sees him as the nineteenth best player overall in Illinois for the cycle. 

It's easy to see what college coaches like about Fitzgibbon when watching his junior highlights. It's an impressive combination of size, speed and strength with the high motor Bell referenced.