The future is already demanding attention, but the present is still important as Iowa gets ready to play No. 14 Vanderbilt in the upcoming ReliaQuest Bowl. The Hawkeyes may see a large amount of roster turnover in the upcoming offseason. With 27 seniors and graduates among Iowa’s current roster, head coach Kirk Ferentz and his staff will soon have to replace a significant number of seasoned players. The program maintained its competitiveness despite a season marked by four close defeats, and a number of players called it one of their favorite seasons ever. However, after the bowl game is over, attention will undoubtedly turn to what will happen next.
Already, recruiting has taken center stage. During the early signing day for its 2026 recruiting class, Iowa locked up 23 players. Since then, the school has increased its efforts in the 2027 cycle, making aggressive offers in recent weeks. 69 prospects in the 2027 class have received offers from the Hawkeyes thus far, with some position groups receiving more attention than others.
Thirteen offers have already been made, demonstrating the importance of the defensive line. Although athletes, wide receivers, and edge prospects haven’t lagged behind, the coaching staff has recently focused on the running back room. With seven running backs in the 2027 class, including two in the last few weeks, Iowa has made it apparent that it intends to bolster the position early in the cycle.
This emphasis persisted over the weekend when one of the nation’s fastest-rising backs received an offer from Iowa. Another intriguing name to Iowa’s expanding recruiting board is Kelsey Gerald, a 2027 running back from Santaluces Community High School in Boynton Beach, Florida, who revealed that he received an offer from the Hawkeyes.
Gerald, who weighs 190 pounds and is 5 feet 11 inches tall, has drawn interest from college programs across the country. Gerald has already received nearly 20 scholarship offers, which is impressive for a prospect who is still a few years away from signing day, even though the 2027 cycle is still in its early stages. ESPN currently rates Gerald as a three-star prospect, supporting the growing perception that his stock is rising even though Rivals and 247Sports have not yet given him a ranking.
The offer to Gerald aligns with Iowa’s recent practice of identifying players with potential before national rankings are finalized. The program has successfully used this tactic in the past, especially in skill-related roles where advancement is frequently the deciding factor. The Hawkeyes haven’t overlooked the defensive aspect of the game, despite their recent emphasis on offensive prospects. Earlier this month, four-star linebacker Gavin Stecker, an in-state standout from Bettendorf, became the first player to commit in the cycle, kicking off Iowa’s 2027 class. Since then, the coaching staff has continued to stack offers at several positions, including running back, where scholarships have been awarded to Texas prospects SaRod Baker and Jeremiah Dent.
Iowa most recently broadened its appeal by providing a unique two-sport athlete with exceptional potential. Texas standout Bryant Robinson of Frisco Lone Star High School revealed that the Iowa football program had extended an offer to him. Robinson is regarded as a three-star athlete in both basketball and football and competes at a high level in both sports.
Robinson has already attracted interest from a number of elite football programs, including Oklahoma, Clemson, and LSU. His athletic profile is so distinctive that some of those schools have even offered him the opportunity to participate in both sports. Robinson won Texas District 5-5A Division I Newcomer of the Year in 2024 as a sophomore after recording 21 tackles and 10 passes defended while playing cornerback, according to 247Sports.
Robinson is currently ranked by 247Sports as a three-star prospect, the 61st overall player in Texas, the 43rd cornerback in the state, and the 431st player nationally in the 2027 class. With veteran defensive coordinator Phil Parker’s track record of maximizing secondary talent, his defensive potential is especially intriguing for Iowa. The greater picture is already becoming clear as Iowa gets ready for the postseason. The Hawkeyes are preparing for the next phase of the program, one offer at a time, with a sizable senior class scheduled to graduate and momentum growing on the recruiting trail.
