Iowa Visit by Cayden Daughtry Ben McCollum is targeting an elite 2027 point guard, and the buzz is growing. In Iowa City, the focus of recruiting is turning to the future, and one of the most fascinating narratives surrounding the Hawkeyes’ long-term goals is the visit of Cayden Daughtry. Iowa basketball may be setting itself up early for a possible program-defining guard in the 2027 class as momentum grows under head coach Ben McCollum.
Daughtry, Cayden Iowa Visit Indicates Increasing National Impact Many of the top players in the country are still unsigned even though the early signing window for the 2026 college basketball class is already open. That reality has been particularly apparent for Iowa. Before Trey Thompson reclassified to join the program this season, the Hawkeyes had just one commitment going into this cycle. Consequently, there are currently no signed players in Iowa’s 2026 class.
Ben McCollum’s recruiting strategy hasn’t slowed down, despite the fact that it may raise some eyebrows on the surface. Rather, Iowa’s staff has remained proactive, deliberate, and selective, keeping track of and making offers to elite prospects who align with the program’s identity. There is now some good news, this time from the class of 2027. Top-20 prospect Cayden Daughtry has indicated interest in visiting Iowa, according to On3 Sports’ Joe Tipton. This indicates that the player and the program are both intrigued.
One of the top guards in the 2027 recruiting class is Daughtry, a point guard from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. According to Rivals, he is a four-star prospect, Florida’s No. 5 overall player, the country’s No. 4 point guard, and the class’s No. 21 overall. He is ranked as Florida’s No. 6 prospect, the No. 2 point guard, and the No. 14 overall nationwide by 247Sports, which also rates him as a four-star talent. These rankings are not coincidental.
Daughtry’s game is immediately apparent in both the book and the movie. He is a self-assured, prolific scorer with the ability to establish his own offense, manage tempo, and apply pressure on defense. That combination of defensive dedication and offensive aggression is ideal for the kind of guard McCollum has continuously valued throughout his coaching career. Another important factor in why this possible visit is so important is timing. There will be a significant production void in Iowa’s backcourt when Bennett Stirtz graduates at the end of the current campaign. The Hawkeyes will still require a true star presence to anchor the offense going forward, even though Kael Combs and Isaia Howard are still important to the program’s future.
Daughtry appears to be just that kind of player—someone who can take the initiative, control the ball, and improve the team as a whole. Coaches adore guards who can score goals without compromising their defense, and Daughtry is one of those players. The fact that there is obviously mutual interest is perhaps the most encouraging aspect of this development. Daughtry has already received 23 offers from universities across the nation, but Iowa has distinguished itself. That says a lot about the work McCollum and his team are doing in the background.
At this level, recruiting involves more than just playing time and facilities. It has to do with direction, trust, and vision. The fact that a top Florida prospect publicly expressed interest in going to Iowa City indicates that the Hawkeyes’ message is being received across the country. The timing of this recruiting momentum couldn’t be better given the difficult stretch that lies ahead, which includes a road test at Purdue on January 16 and a home game against Illinois on January 11. The future is still being shaped even as Iowa struggles through a challenging Big Ten schedule.
One thing is certain: the discussion surrounding Cayden Daughtry’s visit to Iowa is genuine, significant, and worth closely observing. If that visit takes place, it might be the start of something unique for the future of Iowa basketball.
