Highlighting '24 Hawkeye Recruiting Class

Thoughts on Solid Group Set to Sign with Iowa Football

'24 Williamsburg (IA) High LB Derek Weisskopf. (Rob Howe/HawkeyeNation.com)

The newest collection of student-athletes will officially become Hawkeyes when the early signing period kicks off Wednesday morning. Iowa Football has 21 known verbal commitments in the 2024 Class as of Tuesday afternoon. 

The group includes top in-state players and key targets outside the borders. It even features another punter from Australia. 

The recruiting websites ranked the Hawkeyes in the middle of the Big Ten pack as of Tuesday afternoon. As we've learned through the years, that's based on what the student-athletes have shown at the prep level. 

The slate will be wiped clean when they arrive on campus. At Iowa, these prospects compete with others already here for playing time whether they're on scholarship or a preferred walk-on. 

With that in mind, here are thoughts on this class: 

HOME COOKIN'

Credit Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell for forcing the Hawkeyes' hand. They started offering more in-state players earlier in the process after the Cyclones challenged their rival head-to-head in recent cycles. 

After missing out on talented natives like Kai Black, Jamison Patton, JJ Kohl and David Caulker in last year's class, Iowa experienced more success this time around. And they gained verbal commitments early. 

Winthrop East Buchanan offensive lineman Cody Fox pledged to the Hawkeyes in June of '21. Cam Buffington, a linebacker from Winfield-Mount Union, joined him a month later. They were only half way through their prep careers at the time. 

Williamsburg linebacker Derek Weisskopf joined that duo the following April. Preston Ries, a linebacker from Monticello, jumped in a month after that. Cedar Falls defensive lineman Drew Campbell, ADM running back Brevin Doll and Central Lyon/George-Little Rock receiver Reece Vander Zee were added to the class before this season. 

Fox and Buffington committed shortly after receiving Iowa scholarship offers. That suppressed opportunities from other schools, including Iowa State, who would take both guys given the opportunity. Weisskopf, Doll, Campbell, Ries and Vander Zee all reported Cyclone offers. 

For the most part, former ISU coach Paul Rhoads backed off when the Hawkeyes pursued an in-state kid. Campbell hasn't shied away at all, making this year's haul by the Hawkeyes more impressive. 

DEALING DOWN UNDER

With consensus All-American punter Tory Taylor taking his shot at the NFL after this season, Iowa needed a replacement. It found someone who hailed from Pro Kick Australia, the program that trained Taylor and his Hawkeye predecessor, Michael Sleep-Dalton. 

Rhys Dakin (6-2, 180) announced he would be a Hawkeye on Sunday. Taylor was pleased that someone from his country was following him. 

"I know he's very good, otherwise he wouldn't be coming here," Taylor said of Dakin. "I'm really excited for Rhys, and it's going to be cool when he gets here in a few weeks. I'm looking forward to helping him in the best way possible.

"I know it's been one hell of a ride for me, and I know he's going to experience the same." 

Taylor shared that experience with Dakin during the recruiting process, aiding special teams coordinator LeVar Woods in finding his replacement. Walk-on junior Ty Nissen, a Carroll native, was the only other punter listed on Iowa's current roster.  

LAND OF LINCOLN

Illinois has long been an important recruiting territory for Iowa. The Hawkeyes performed well in that state again this cycle. They secured commitments from four Illinois preps, the most from any state other than their own in '24. 

Three of those prospects project on the offensive line. Will Nolan (6-6, 275) headlines that trio with a four-star ranking on 247Sports, On3 and Rivals. On3's industry ranking shows the Arlington Heights Hersey High product as the No. 17 tackle in the country for this class. 

Tinley Park Lincoln-Way East standout Josh Janowski and Body McCaslin, a senior at St. Charles East, are the other O-Linemen from Illinois. The former projects to play on the interior, while the latter should start out at tackle. 

Rounding out the foursome is Elmhurst Immaculate Conception receiver KJ Parker. Former Iowa and NFL safety Matt Bowen is an assistant coach at that high school. 

SUNSHINE STATE

Several of Iowa's best teams through the years included key players from Florida. Brad Banks, Jake Rudock, Fred Barr, Colin Cole, Abdul Hodge, Dane Belton, Mekhi Sargent and Antwan Allen were among the standouts from the Sunshine State. 

The Hawkeyes are increasing their presence there again after mostly shifting away from it about 10 years ago. Natives Michael Myslinski, Jaziun Patterson, Kamari Moulton and Jarriett Buie all are underclassmen on the current roster. 

Two more Floridians in the '24 cycle are expected to sign with Iowa this week. They are Jacksonville Bishop Kenny quarterback James Resar and Rashad Godfrey, a defensive back from Seffner Armwood, alma mater of Antwan Allen. 

Iowa assistant Ladell Betts has helped the Hawkeyes in Florida after coaching high school there. He was instrumental in getting and keeping Resar and Godfrey. 

FAMILY TIES

Iowa does well networking and using past relationships built over time on the recruiting trail. That includes utilizing family ties. 

Cody Fox's older brother, Taylor Fox, finished up his Hawkeye career last season. He shared senior day with All-American Jack Campbell, Drew Campbell's sibling. Jaylen Watson, a defensive back from Toledo (OH) Central Catholic, learned a lot about Iowa from his uncle, former Hawkeye running back Fred Russell.