Iowa Football Lands: Rivalry Stunner & Commitment Shockwave Rivalry intensifies as the Hawkeyes consider another program-changing move involving a 4-star former ISU commit. Iowa City is experiencing a genuine buzz that is igniting fan bases and stoking rivalries. In Iowa football recruiting, the 4-star former ISU commit storyline has taken center stage and is already changing discussions throughout the state.
Suddenly, one of the most fascinating recruiting developments of the 2027 cycle is centered around Iowa football. Elite in-state offensive lineman Will Slagle is now traveling to Iowa City for a crucial visit that could tip the scales in the Hawkeye State after decommitting from Iowa State following Matt Campbell’s transfer to Penn State.
This seems like more than just a recruiting update to Iowa supporters. It’s private. It’s competitive. It also has significant long-term ramifications.
Why Iowa supporters are excited about the 4-star former ISU commit Slagle, a 6-foot-4, 280-pound standout from Grinnell High School, is not your typical prospect. He is the top-ranked recruit in Iowa for the 2027 class and one of the most sought-after linemen in the nation.
He is ranked as a four-star talent, the No. 10 interior offensive lineman, the No. 198 overall player in the country, and the unquestionably top prospect in Iowa, according to 247Sports. His recruitment would be noteworthy just for that. The story becomes much more intense when you consider that he is an Iowa State legacy because his father, Don Slagle, was a member of the Cyclones.
On March 28, 2025, Iowa made Slagle a return offer, and the Hawkeyes have remained a serious contender ever since. Now that Slagle is scheduled to visit Iowa on Monday, January 19, the door is open for a possible recruiting switch that would excite Iowa City and hurt Ames. Shortly after Campbell accepted the position at Penn State, Slagle decommitted from Iowa State, a decision that rocked the area. His recruitment has significantly increased since then.
There will be other programs pushing in addition to the Hawkeyes. In addition to national heavyweights like Notre Dame, Tennessee, and Ohio State, Slagle has 14 offers, including a re-offer from Iowa State. Penn State, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Nebraska, rivals in the Big Ten, are also heavily involved.
Penn State stands out in particular. The Nittany Lions are currently favored by several 247Sports Crystal Ball projections, and Slagle is set to visit Happy Valley on January 31. This increases the importance of Iowa’s next visit. However, Iowa’s track record of producing offensive linemen who are prepared for the NFL is significant.
Fit, development, and trust are frequently more important to a prospect like Slagle than flash. A player of this caliber, particularly a former Cyclone commit, would send a strong message about Iowa’s recruiting momentum under Kirk Ferentz.
In their 2027 class, the Hawkeyes already have three verbal commitments: linebackers Gavin Stecker and Braylon Bingham, as well as tight end Jaxx DeJean. Iowa’s reputation for building from the trenches outward would be strengthened and the class would immediately improve with the addition of a top-tier in-state lineman. The importance of this visit cannot be emphasized, even though Slagle hasn’t made an official commitment to Iowa yet.
Moments like a conversation, a practice tour, or just feeling at home can make all the difference in recruiting battles like this. For Iowa supporters, the prospect in and of itself feels like an ongoing rivalry victory. It’s a chance for the coaching staff to transform momentum into something long-lasting.
The 4-star former ISU commit is currently at the center of a recruiting battle that could determine Iowa football’s future, and the Hawkeyes finally have a chance to make it matter.
