Will Slagle, one of the top offensive line prospects in the 2027 class, is shifting the spotlight back onto the Iowa Hawkeyes. After decommitting from Iowa State in the wake of Matt Campbell’s move to Penn State, Slagle is set to visit Iowa on Monday, Jan. 19 - a key moment in what’s shaping up to be a high-stakes recruitment.
The 6-foot-4, 280-pound lineman out of Grinnell High School isn’t just another name on the board - he’s a blue-chip talent with serious pedigree. His father, Don Slagle, suited up for the Cyclones, making Will a legacy recruit for Iowa State. But with the coaching shakeup in Ames, the door has opened for other programs to make their pitch, and Iowa is stepping through it.
Slagle has already built an impressive résumé. He’s rated as the No. 1 player in Iowa, the No. 10 interior offensive lineman in the country, and the 198th overall prospect in the 2027 class, according to 247Sports.
That kind of ranking doesn’t come easy - it’s a reflection of both his physical tools and his polish in the trenches. Whether it’s anchoring against bull rushes or pulling into space to lead block, Slagle flashes the kind of versatility and technique that makes him a plug-and-play candidate at the next level.
Iowa extended its offer back on March 28, 2025, and now has a golden opportunity to make its case in person. The Hawkeyes are no strangers to developing top-tier offensive linemen, and that track record could be a big selling point as they try to keep the state’s top recruit home.
Slagle’s offer list is a who’s who of college football powerhouses. Alongside Iowa and a re-offer from Iowa State, he holds 14 total offers, including from Notre Dame, Tennessee, and Big Ten rivals like Penn State, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Ohio State. It’s clear he’s got options - and plenty of them.
Rivals has Slagle ranked slightly differently, pegging him as the No. 18 interior offensive lineman nationally and the fourth-best player in Iowa. Regardless of the outlet, the consensus is clear: this is a major prospect with a high ceiling.
Penn State, now led by Campbell, is also firmly in the mix. Slagle is scheduled to visit Happy Valley on Jan. 31, and several 247Sports crystal ball predictions currently point toward the Nittany Lions as the favorite. That visit could be pivotal - but first, Iowa gets its shot.
The Hawkeyes already have three early commits in their 2027 class: tight end Jaxx DeJean and linebackers Braylon Bingham and Gavin Stecker. Adding Slagle to that group would be a significant statement, not just in terms of talent but in setting the tone for how Iowa plans to build its next wave of homegrown stars.
For now, all eyes turn to Monday. Slagle’s recruitment is heating up, and Iowa’s pitch could go a long way in determining whether the state’s top prospect stays close to home - or takes his talents elsewhere in the Big Ten.