Recruiting

2018 commitments

The Hawkeyes signed a total of 23 recruits.

US college sports recruiting information for 2018 recruits
Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	Commit date
Seth Benson LB	Sioux Falls, SD	Washington High School	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	210 lb (95 kg)	Dec 21, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A
JuJu Brents S	Indianapolis, IN	Warren Central High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	179 lb (81 kg)	Sep 1, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Dallas Creddieth S	Florissant, MO	Hazelwood Central High School	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	189 lb (86 kg)	Dec 20, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Dillon Doyle LB	Iowa City, IA	Iowa City West High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	215 lb (98 kg)	Mar 20, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Samson Evans B	Crystal Lake, IL	Prairie Ridge High School	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	200 lb (91 kg)	May 21, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Henry Geil RB	Green Bay, WI	Preble High School	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	203 lb (92 kg)	Apr 23, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Cody Ince OT	Balsam Lake, WI	Unity High School	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	260 lb (120 kg)	Jun 19, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Jeff Jenkins OG	Crystal Lake, IL	Prairie Ridge High School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	269 lb (122 kg)	Jan 22, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
D.J. Johnson CB	Indianapolis, IN	North Central High School	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	170 lb (77 kg)	Aug 22, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Logan Klemp B	Jewell, IA	South Hamilton High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	210 lb (95 kg)	Feb 2, 2018
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Tyler Linderbaum DT	Solon, IA	Solon High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	262 lb (119 kg)	May 1, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Calvin Lockett WR	Largo, FL	Largo High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	160 lb (73 kg)	Dec 13, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Jayden McDonald LB	Suwanee, GA	North Gwinnett High School	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	217 lb (98 kg)	Feb 5, 2018
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Kaevon Merriweather S	Belleville, MI	Belleville High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	195 lb (88 kg)	Feb 2, 2018
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A
Riley Moss S	Ankeny, IA	Ankeny Centennial High School	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	179 lb (81 kg)	Dec 20, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals: N/A   247Sports:    ESPN:
Daviyon Nixon DT	Kenosha, WI	Iowa Western Community College	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	289 lb (131 kg)	Feb 2, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Spencer Petras QB	Kentfield, CA	Marin Catholic High School	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	207 lb (94 kg)	Dec 15, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Jack Plumb OT	Green Bay, WI	Bay Port High School	6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)	240 lb (110 kg)	Jul 26, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Nico Ragaini B	Avon, CT	Avon High School	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	Jan 8, 2018
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Terry Roberts CB	Erie, PA	Cathedral Prep High School	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	169 lb (77 kg)	Jun 6, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Noah Shannon DT	Oswego, IL	Oswego High School	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	305 lb (138 kg)	Jul 4, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Tyrone Tracy Jr. RB	Indianapolis, IN	Decatur Central High School	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	Apr 29, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
John Waggoner DE	West Des Moines	Dowling Catholic High School	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	240 lb (110 kg)	Dec 5, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Overall recruiting rankings:
Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "Iowa Football Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved August 3, 2018. "2018 Iowa Football Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved August 3, 2018. "ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 3, 2018. "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved August 3, 2018. "2018 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved August 3, 2018.

Award watch lists

Northern Illinois

After a slow start, the Hawkeyes scored touchdowns on three straight possessions en route to a 30-point second half. The win was the 144th for head coach Kirk Ferentz, making him the all-time winningest coach in Iowa football history. After an opening drive 3 and out for the Hawkeyes, NIU blocked the punt and had the ball at the Iowa 20. However, a missed field goal swung momentum back to the home team. The only first half points came on a 33-yard field goal from Hawkeye kicker Miguel Recinos. After a slow 3rd quarter, Heisman hopeful Nate Stanley threw his first touchdown of the year, a 1-yard pitch-and-catch to tight end Noah Fant. On the ensuing drive, running back Ivory Kelly-Martin barreled in on a 3rd and goal play to make it 17–0 going into the 4th quarter. After another short field, Toren Young found pay dirt on a 6-yard effort, and it was 24–0 Iowa. After a great punt by Colton Rastetter, NIU got the ball inside their own 1 yard line. on 2nd down, the Hawkeyes forced a safety, and after getting the ball back off the safety punt, backup quarterback Peyton Mansell got his first career touchdown on a quarterback sneak. After Iowa put their 2nd team defense in, the Huskies marched down the field in an impressive 11 play, 75 yard drive to put some late points on the scoreboard. Iowa shook off the slow 1st half and routed NIU 33–7 inside of Kinnick Stadium during the annual Gold Game.

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Iowa State

Neither offense could get going in this in-state rivalry contest. Iowa was the only team to find the endzone and with only a few minutes left in the fourth quarter. An A. J. Epenesa strip-sack sealed this low-scoring affair to keep the Cy-Hawk trophy in Iowa City for a fourth straight year.

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Northern Iowa

The Panthers were able to play with the Hawkeyes for a while but Iowa's depth proved to be ultimately overwhelming for FCS opponent Northern Iowa. Iowa ended the game with nearly 550 yards of total offense and the final score wasn't indicative of how one-sided this match-up was as the Hawkeyes played their second string for most of the fourth quarter. Iowa's defense had a relentless effort holding Northern Iowa to minus-2 rushing yards in the first half.

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No. 18 Wisconsin

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At Minnesota

The Hawkeyes spoiled the Gophers' homecoming in this high-scoring rivalry game. A signature play of the game came on a fake field goal trick play in which T. J. Hockenson took a lateral pass in for a touchdown which helped Iowa secure a lead going into halftime. The play is called "Herky" and was a New Kirk era technique that had yet to be implemented. The Hawks prevailed to keep Floyd of Rosedale in Iowa City for a fourth year in a row.

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At Indiana

Nate Stanley became the third Iowa quarterback to throw six touchdown passes in a single game. Tight ends T. J. Hockenson and Noah Fant each had over 100 yards receiving, totaling eight receptions for 208 yards and three TD.

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Maryland

Iowa held visitor Maryland to just 115 yards of total offense in this shutout homecoming victory. Iowa did struggle to find the end zone but three Miguel Recinos field goals kept Iowa in the driver's seat for most of the way.

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At No. 17 Penn State

Iowa went up 12–0 early and scored their first 14 points of the game on special teams plays (two safeties, a TD pass on a fake field goal and point after, and a Miguel Recinos field goal). After trailing 14–7, Penn State scored 20 of the next 23 points to lead 27–17. A pick six from Pennsylvania native Geno Stone brought the Hawks to within 27–24 with 10 minutes remaining, but a bad interception on a first and goal from the 3-yard line with just over 3 minutes remaining doomed Iowa’s hopes of a road victory.^{[30] [31]}

At Purdue

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Northwestern

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At Illinois

Kirk Ferentz recorded his 150th win at Iowa, the 5th head coach in Big Ten history to reach the mark, in this blowout victory over Illinois. After a sluggish start in the first quarter, Iowa dominated in every phase of the game the rest of the way. Not only scoring on offense but on defense and special teams as well.

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Nebraska

Iowa led the whole way until the final minutes of this nail-biting victory. Nebraska never backed down and tied the game up with 3:22 to play. Miguel Recinos kicked a game-winning field goal as time expired to keep the Heroes Trophy in Iowa City for the fourth year in a row.

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Vs. No. 18 Mississippi State (Outback Bowl)

In a back-and-forth game, Iowa held on to defeat SEC opponent Mississippi State. Senior Jake Gervase made a critical interception in the end zone, and batted down a fourth down pass to end the Bulldogs' hopes. The victory was Ferentz's fifth January bowl win and eighth overall bowl victory.

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