Dominik Hulak Returns to Iowa City

'25 Chicago-Area LB Checks Out Hawkeye Tailgater

'25 Elmhurst (IL) Immaculate Conception LB Dominik Hulak. (Photo - UI)

Dominik Hulak saw Iowa's campus for the first time back in April. The Hawkeyes offered the 2025 Chicago-Area linebacker a scholarship during that visit. 

He returned to town on Saturday for the program's annual recruiting tailgater. It invited its top targets with more than a year of high school remaining. 

"This visit differed a lot because the last time I was at Iowa it was a spring practice," Hulak told HN. "So, we really only saw the team practice and a bit of the facilities along with conversations with coach (Seth) Wallace and coach (Kirk) Ferentz. 

"On the visit (Saturday), we saw everything from the stadium to the whole football facilities along with presentations about academics and the strength program."

Hulak (6-3, 225) has seen his recruitment rise after totaling 57 tackles (3.0 for loss) with a sack and two fumble recoveries as a sophomore last season, according to Max Preps. As a tight end, he caught eight passes for 133 yards and two touchdowns. He carried once for 12 yards.

Illinois, Iowa State, Louisville, Notre Dame, Purdue and Wisconsin also have reportedly offered Hulak scholarships. He camped and visited Ohio State on Tuesday. 

The Hawkeyes improved their standing with Hulak during Saturday's recruiting event. 

"I feel this visit has strengthened my relationship with Iowa because I was able to connect a lot more with the coaches and see how they see me as part of the team," he said.

He received more time with the head coach in Ferentz and the linebacker coach, Wallace. 

"I was able to talk to every coach, but mainly coach Wallace and coach Ferentz. First I met with coach Ferentz in his office, and we just talked football and he got to learn more about my family and I since they weren’t with me when he offered me," Hulak said. 

"I also sat down with coach Wallace and two other '25 linebackers in his office, and he just told us about the program, the linebacker position and how it’s developing. What I took away from those conversations is that coach Wallace will tell you a lot of things other colleges might try to hide from you."

The Hawkeyes have let Hulak know he's a priority recruit. 

"I feel like I fit in a lot because coach Wallace is only recruiting four ('25) linebackers and being among them means that he really sees something in me, which could make it a great place for me," he said. 

Hulak plans on visiting Wisconsin on June 29. 

On3 and 247Sports rank Hulak as a three-star prospect. The former sees him as the No. 11 overall player in Illinois for '25, while the latter has him eighth. 

In watching Hulak's sophomore highlights, you see a player who does a nice job diagnosing plays from the defense's second level. He combines that knowledge with strong pursuit and technically-sound tackling.