In the world of college football, National Signing Day is always somewhat like Christmas morning. As programs formally welcome the next generation of talent, years of late-night film sessions, cross-country recruiting trips, and nonstop phone calls come to a head. This year’s early signing period for Iowa heralds the arrival of an 18-player 2026 class that combines developmental upside-down and star power—exactly the combination on which the Hawkeyes have established their reputation.
Tradon Bessinger, a former Boise State commit who switched to Iowa in early November after seeing Iowa City, is the biggest addition under center. As the 2025 MaxPreps Utah High School Football Player of the Year, the 6-foot-5, 205-pound Davis High School standout from Utah put up incredible numbers. With just four interceptions, Bessinger completed 76% of his passes and threw for 4,313 yards and 53 touchdowns. He is currently ranked as the 11th best quarterback in the country and could end up being the program’s quarterback of the future.
In terms of skill positions, Iowa didn’t stop there. The Hawkeyes signed three receivers, beginning with Wisconsin’s dynamic athlete Brody Schaffer, a high school quarterback who won the state championship. Last season, the three-star player scored 43 touchdowns while passing for almost 1,900 yards and gaining an additional 1,198 yards on the ground. Alongside him are former UCLA commit Xavier Stinson, a long and explosive 6-foot-2 playmaker who returned to the market following a coaching change in Los Angeles, and Florida’s Diondre Smith, a smooth 5-foot-11 pass catcher who chose Iowa over Miami.
It should come as no surprise that one of Iowa’s most intriguing additions is a tight end, given the school’s reputation for turning out NFL-caliber players at that position. Luke Brewer, a four-star recruit and the No. 24 tight end in the country, comes from Norwalk High School, where he had a stellar 2025 campaign with 39 receptions, 532 yards, and six touchdowns.
Iowa upheld its custom of constructing from the trenches up front. There are a number of offensive linemen in the class with outstanding rankings and metrics. Leading the group as a four-star and the No. 26 tackle in the nation is Carson Nielsen, a massive 6-foot-7, 275-pound tackle and Iowa’s first commit of this cycle. Alongside him are hometown prospect Colin Whitters, a 6-foot-4, 300-pound interior lineman from Iowa City West, and Illinois product Gene Riordan, another four-star who picked Iowa over several Big Ten competitors. The top-ranked player from South Dakota, Hudson Parliament, was also added by the Hawkeyes. Although many had predicted him as a defensive lineman, he will instead fit into Iowa’s offensive line plans. The offensive front is completed by Minnesota’s Owen Linder, a three-star and the 54th best tackle in the country.
Iowa reloaded with size, speed, and adaptability on defense. The commitment flip from Jack Janda, who was initially headed to Wisconsin as a tight end, was one of the more noteworthy late victories. The 6-foot-6, 250-pound native of Michigan will instead be used by Iowa on the defensive line, where he excelled as a senior with 46 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks. He is joined up front by Sawyer Jezierski of Minnesota, who is the sixth-best player in the state.
Three solid additions significantly increase linebacker depth. The No. 18 linebacker in the nation is Kasen Thomas, a four-star from Sioux City. He will line up with Julian Manson, a legacy recruit who is ranked ninth nationally among linebackers, making him one of the best players in the entire class. Billy Weivoda, a high-upside three-star signee from Georgia, completes the trio with offers from Ole Miss and Michigan.
The secondary is equally outstanding. Darion Jones, a four-star cornerback from Nebraska and the second-best player in his state, offers exceptional coverage skills and length. Ronnie Hill of Michigan contributes depth at safety, and Marcello Vitti, a four-star prospect from Michigan and the 21st-ranked athlete in the country, offers playmaking instincts and positional flexibility. Overall, Iowa’s 2026 class satisfies every requirement in terms of experience, upside, regional strength, and national reach. It’s a team that was formed not only to compete but also to raise the bar that Iowa football has put so much effort into upholding.
