Hawkeyes Bringing in Strong '23 Walk-On Class

Iowa Football Convinces Some Preps to Turn Down Scholarship Offers

Rob Howe | Feb 20, 2023

West Des Moines (IA) Dowling Catholic teammates Jalyn Thompson ('23, center) and Jaylen Pettus ('22, right) at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Oct. 9, 2021. (Rob Howe/HawkeyeNation.com)

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Iowa Hawkeyes

IOWA CITY, Iowa - Jalyn Thompson grew up cheering for the Iowa Hawkeyes. It was in his blood, so to speak.

His father, Rod Thompson, played basketball at Iowa (1998-2002) for Tom Davis and Steve Alford. Jalyn's mom, Laura Thompson, attended the university at that time. So did other relatives and friends.

Adding the lineage to growing up in the state and attending West Des Moines Dowling Catholic, you understand Jalyn's decision. He's turning down scholarship offers to walk on with the Hawkeyes.

"I felt the benefits outweighed the costs at Iowa," Thompson told HN. "Sure, I wouldn’t be having a scholarship that I would other places, but I’m given the opportunity of a lifetime to play at a school that is known for building their preferred walk-ons."

Former PWOs Quinn Schulte, Joe Evans, Monte Pottebaum and Nick DeJong started games for Iowa last season as did current walk-ons Alec Wick and Eli Miller. Iowa has built a strong reputation for providing equal opportunity for walk-ons.

That helped in convincing Thompson and other prep standouts in the '23 Class to turn down scholarship money and pay their way, at least initially. It also helped that PWOs receive payment from The Swarm NIL collective.

Thompson verbally committed to Northern Illinois (FBS) last August ahead of scholarship offers from Northern Iowa and Howard. The tight end remained pledged before taking Iowa's PWO offer in early November.

"Going into Iowa, I wouldn’t approach being a walk-on any different than I would if I was a scholarship player. You still have to work hard," he said.

Thompson (6-4, 235) caught 22 passes for 305 yards as a senior, showing strong blocking skills as well.

"My goal for the upcoming season is to learn. I’ll be playing with some great players being coached under great coaches," he said.

Cedar Rapids Xavier safety Aidan McDermott back off of a verbal commitment for a scholarship at FCS nation champion South Dakota State in accepting a Hawkeye PWO opportunity on Dec. 11. He also reported a scholarship offer from Northern Iowa.

McDermott (6-2, 195) helped the Saints win the Class 4A State Championship in the Fall. He picked off five passes on defense and scored 15 total touchdowns on offense. He always wanted to be a Hawkeye.

"When the opportunity presented itself, it was hard to turn down," he told HN. "I loved the coaching staff and the facilities, and it’s always been the dream to play in Kinnick (Stadium)."

He's approaching walking on at Iowa like he would if he were on scholarship. He believes he can play at the highest level and plans on showing it through hard work.

"My goals for this upcoming season is to really get faster and stronger and get to the point where I travel with the team and find myself on the field somewhere," he said.

"Ultimately, my goal for my college career is to get a starting role, get on scholarship and be able to make a big impact on the field. Also, I just want to win a lot of football games."

Cedar Rapids Washington defensive back Watts McBride passed on reported scholarship offers from Army, Nebraska and South Dakota to walk on with the Hawkeyes. He enrolled at Iowa last month.

"My goals this season are to improve my knowledge and skills as much as I can," he said. "I’m excited to get close with all of my teammates and be a part of a really good football team. For my career, I want to help the team win any way I can. I want to be a great leader and a great player."

McBride (6-0, 185), who grew up an Iowa fan, totaled 55.0 tackles (45 solo, 6.5 for loss) and added 12 touchdowns on offense in ’22.

Iowa flipped Pleasant Valley (IA) High fullback Rusty VanWetzinga IV (6-1, 220) from his Southern Illinois commitment late in the process. He was pledged to the Salukis as a linebacker. He rushed for 5.8 yards a carry and eight touchdowns in '22, while accumulating 58.0 tackles (37 solo, 7.0 for loss) and a sack on defense.

Iowa added another legacy recruit in Fulshear (TX) High cornerback Amare Bickham, son of former Hawkeye defensive lineman Loyd Bickham. Loyd played for legendary coach Hayden Fry from '92-96.

"It’s special for my family and I, not only because I get to follow in my father’s footsteps of being a Hawkeye, but also because of the memories that I have growing up a Hawkeye fan," Bickham told HN. "For as long as I can remember, my dad and I would wake up on Saturdays getting ready to watch the Hawks play, so being able to now be a part of that is truly incredible."

Amare also reported interest from Lamar. He had offers from multiple Division II and III schools. He saw his best fit with the Hawkeyes.

"Iowa has a rich history of successful walk-ons that have went on to do great things at the professional level and beyond, and I hope to do the same," Amare said.

"My final reason for choosing Iowa is because of the love that the people in the program have showed me since day 1. From the responsiveness of Tyler Barnes throughout my recruiting process, to receiving welcoming texts from many of the current players and commits in my class, I already truly feel a part of the Hawkeye family. "

A third legacy recruit comes in the form of Evergreen (CO) High signal caller Tommy Poholsky, the son of former Iowa quarterback Tom Poholsky, who passed away in ’21 at the age of 54. Tommy is coming off a senior season that saw him complete 198-of-331 passes for 2,622 yards and 37 touchdowns against six interceptions.

Durant’s Nolan DeLong (6-1, 210) arrives at Iowa as a linebacker after rushing for 2,111 yards and 21 touchdowns with 14.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks on defense as a senior. Northern Iowa and South Dakota reportedly offered DeLong scholarships. Iowa State, Kansas State, Nebraska and Wisconsin were among the schools showing him interest.

"My goals for my career are simple - Work for the starting spot and dominate every week in order to never give it up in hopes of playing on Sundays some day,"he said.

Shawnee Mission East High’s C.J. Leonard (6-3, 185) and Luke Pollack (6-4, 200) from Deerfield (IL) High will be joining Iowa as receivers. It's a position of need for the Hawkeyes.

"I’m approaching it like any other thing," Pollack said. "I’m working my hardest to be the best, and I won’t stop until I am."

Pollack racked up 800 all-purpose yards and eight scores as a senior in '22. He reported interest from Butler, Drake, Montana, Northern Illinois, Northwestern and Penn State.

Leonard caught 40 passes for 607 yards and seven touchdowns last Fall. He chose the Hawkeyes ahead of a walk-on invitation from home-state Kansas State.

"I have to be consistent in the weight room to get stronger and faster," he said. "I want to make a mark on special teams and scout team, and anyway I can get on the field to help the team. For my later years, I just have to trust the process and do whatever the team needs on the field and do it 100 percent."

Iowa is brining in a pair of in-state, walk-on linemen. West Des Moines Valley's Ryan Kuennen will come in on defense, while Waukee Northwest’s Cael Winter is arriving on offensive.

Winter (6-3, 250) reported offers from Pittsburgh State, Grand View, Morningside, Peru State, Black Hills State and Winona State. Kuennen (6-3, 245) visited Iowa State, Northern Illinois and South Dakota State.

"The goal is to earn a scholarship and exceed expectations. That’s all I’m focused on right now," Kuennen said.

The Hawkeyes reached West to Carlisle (IA) High for walk-on linebacker Jack Laughlin, who registered 55.5 tackles (42 solo, 7.5 for loss) on defense and rushed for 8.3 yards per carry and 24 touchdowns on offense as a senior. The Wildcats reached the state title game in '22.

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