Iowa Football’s 2026 Class Poised to Make an Immediate Impact on Hawkeyes’ Roster.
National Signing Day is one of the most thrilling moments in sports. For players, it represents the culmination of years of sweat, dedication, and dreams realized. For programs, it’s the culmination of long recruitment battles, where coaches’ visions for the future begin to take shape. And this year, Iowa football fans have plenty to celebrate, as the Hawkeyes unveil an impressive 18-player 2026 signing class ready to make waves in Iowa City.
Leading the way is quarterback Tradon Bessinger, a former Boise State commit who switched to Iowa after a late October visit to the program. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 205 pounds, Bessinger brings both size and precision to the Hawkeyes’ offense. At Davis High School in Kaysville, Utah, he earned 2025 MaxPreps Utah High School Football Player of the Year honors after completing 76% of his passes for 4,313 yards, 53 touchdowns, and just four interceptions. Ranked a four-star prospect and the nation’s No. 11 quarterback by 247Sports composite rankings, Bessinger could very well be the Hawkeyes’ signal-caller of the future.
Iowa’s receiving corps also gets a boost with Brody Schaffer, a versatile 6-foot-1, 184-pound athlete from Wisconsin. Though he played quarterback in high school, Schaffer excelled as a wideout, leading Winneconne to an undefeated season and a state championship. He threw for 1,883 yards and 20 touchdowns, while also rushing for 1,198 yards and 23 touchdowns. A three-star signee, he’s ranked as the nation’s No. 78 wide receiver and the top player in Wisconsin. Diondre Smith, from Fletcher High School in Florida, adds more depth at receiver. A 5-foot-11, 175-pound three-star prospect, Smith chose Iowa over Miami, highlighting the program’s ability to attract talent beyond the Midwest.
Xavier Stinson, a 6-foot-2, 195-pound receiver, joins the Hawkeyes after originally committing to UCLA. When the Bruins fired head coach DeShaun Foster, Stinson pivoted to Iowa, bringing his three-star skill set and ranking as the nation’s 97th-best wide receiver. Tight end Luke Brewer, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound in-state talent from Norwalk High School, also signs on. Ranked as the nation’s No. 24 tight end and the No. 7 player in Iowa, Brewer caught 39 passes for 532 yards and six touchdowns in 2025.
The offensive line sees immediate reinforcements, starting with 6-foot-7, 275-pound tackle Carson Nielsen from Waterloo West. Iowa’s earliest commit in the 2026 class, Nielsen has been a cornerstone of the Hawkeyes’ recruiting efforts since April 2024. Ranked as the No. 26 offensive tackle nationally and the No. 2 player in Iowa, he’ll anchor the line for years to come. Gene Riordan, a 6-foot-4, 275-pound lineman from Hinsdale Central in Illinois, joins Nielsen. A four-star signee and the nation’s No. 23 interior offensive lineman, Riordan had offers from Illinois, Iowa State, Penn State, and Minnesota before choosing Iowa. Local talent Colin Whitters from Iowa City West, a 6-foot-4, 300-pound interior lineman, adds size and strength, while Hudson Parliament, a top South Dakota prospect, brings versatility and a four-star ranking at 6-foot-4, 285 pounds. Minnesota’s Owen Linder, a 6-foot-6, 275-pound tackle, rounds out the offensive line signees.
Defensively, Iowa bolsters its roster with several high-impact prospects. Jack Janda, originally a tight end commit to Wisconsin, flips to Iowa and transitions to the defensive line. At 6-foot-6 and 250 pounds, Janda registered 46 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks in his senior year at Detroit Catholic Central. From Minnesota, Sawyer Jezierski (6-foot-3, 265 pounds) ranks as the state’s No. 6 player and the nation’s 103rd defensive lineman. In-state linebacker Kasen Thomas, from Bishop Heelan Catholic, comes in as a four-star talent, ranked No. 18 at his position nationally and the No. 3 player in Iowa. Julian Manson, a legacy from Iowa City West, is another four-star linebacker and top-ranked Iowa player, while Georgia standout Billy Weivoda chose Iowa over major programs like Michigan and Ole Miss.
The defensive backfield also gets a boost with Darion Jones, a 6-foot-1, 170-pound cornerback from Omaha North. Jones is ranked as a four-star signee, the No. 25 cornerback nationally, and the No. 2 player in Nebraska. Michigan natives Ronnie Hill (6-foot-1, 185 pounds) and Marcello Vitti (6-foot, 195 pounds) round out the class. Hill ranks as the nation’s 98th safety, while Vitti is a four-star athlete, ranked No. 21 nationally and the No. 7 player in Michigan.
Overall, this class blends size, versatility, and top-end talent, giving Iowa fans plenty of reason to be excited about the future. From signal-calling prowess in Bessinger to defensive dominance with Janda and Thomas, the 2026 Hawkeyes are positioned to compete immediately. The combination of in-state standouts and national recruits demonstrates Iowa’s continued ability to build a strong, competitive roster through smart recruiting. With this class, the Hawkeyes not only add depth and skill but also reinforce a culture of toughness and competitiveness that has defined the program for decades.
As these players sign on, Iowa fans can look forward to seeing new faces step into crucial roles and help carry the program to even greater heights. From exciting offensive weapons to hard-nosed defenders, the 2026 class promises to be a memorable group that could leave a lasting mark on the Hawkeyes’ storied history.
