It’s never too early to look forward in recruiting, and Iowa’s 2024 class is beginning to come together. The Hawkeyes have landed seven commitments in the class of 2024 and it consists of five in-state players. Of the in-state talent, Iowa has hard commitments from the second, third, and fourth-ranked players in the state. The 2024 class is currently fourth in the Big Ten and 15th-ranked nationally, and includes an impressive dual-threat quarterback. There’s still nearly a full calendar year remaining for this class, but a quick glance at this group now is indicative of a bright future in Iowa City.
Offensive Line
Iowa has a hard commitment from Cody Fox, a four-star interior offensive lineman. The Winthrop, Iowa native is the number two player in the state and 15th-ranked nationally at his position. Fox is listed at 6-4 and 275 pounds and plays on both offensive and defensive lines at East Buchanan High School.
Josh Janowski committed to the Hawkeyes in late January of this year. The three-star interior offensive lineman is from Frankfort, Illinois, and is listed at 6-3 and 270 pounds. The Hawkeyes landed just one true interior offensive lineman in their 2023 class. This head start on 2024 is great for the depth of the position going forward.
At offensive tackle, Iowa is pursuing four-star Grant Brix. He is the number one ranked player in the state from Logan, Iowa. If the Hawkeyes can manage to land the 6-6 270-pound tackle, they would have the top four players in the state. Other schools in the running for Brix are Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Penn State.
Linebacker
The Hawkeyes currently have hard commitments from two linebackers and an edge rusher. Derek Weisskopf committed to the Hawkeyes last April and is a four-star from Williamsburg, Iowa. In 2022, Weisskopf played both sides of the ball getting playing time at wide receiver. He also plays basketball and has all the athleticism to be a three-down linebacker for the Hawkeyes. Weisskopf is currently the second-rated player on Iowa’s 2024 class and is the number 35 player at his position in the nation.
Cam Buffington committed to the Hawkeyes in 2021 shortly after receiving his offer. At 6-3 and 200 pounds, Buffington also has a basketball background and competes in track and field for his high school. He got snaps on both sides of the ball for Winfield-Mt. Union High School in Iowa. Like Weisskopf, Buffington has the athleticism to be a very productive linebacker for the Hawkeyes in the future.
Just a few days ago, Iowa landed edge rusher Drew Campbell on April first. It wasn’t a joke. He picked the Hawkeyes over Iowa State and Kansas State. Campbell is the seventh-ranked player in the state of Iowa and checks in at 6-4 and 225 pounds. He is a native of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and also had interest from Northern Iowa. Campbell is the younger brother of former Hawkeye and Butkus Award-winning linebacker Jack Campbell.
Preston Ries is the fourth linebacker currently committed to the Hawkeyes in 2024. He is a three-star from Monticello, Iowa who committed last May. At 6-2 and 205 pounds, Ries is listed as an “athlete”, but will likely fall at linebacker for the Hawkeyes. Four linebackers already committed in the 2024 class is significant, and speaks to the importance of a successful lineage of players at the position in recent seasons.
Quarterback
At signal caller, Iowa currently has a hard commitment from James Resar, a four-star quarterback from Jacksonville, Florida. He is 6-4 and 200 pounds of the dual-threat variety with speed. Resar has posted a 10.89 second 100-meter dash and qualified for regionals his sophomore year in Florida. He also led his football team to an 8-3 record in 2022, completing over 66% of his passes for 16 touchdowns and nearly 2,000 yards. He mainly operates in a spread offense and is comfortable in the RPO.
Resar also has a knack for downfield passing and touch passes. While he doesn’t have a cannon of an arm, he can make accurate passes to the deep third of the field. There is still room for improvement in his game, but his tangible skills through his junior season are impressive. Iowa landed Resar over offers from Indiana and Wake Forest. Following his commitment to the Hawkeyes, North Carolina extended an offer his way. He has high upside potential and will be a great addition to Iowa’s quarterback room in the 2024 recruiting class.
Photo courtesy: Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK
