After a visit to Iowa City earlier this week, former Ohio State defensive back Cody Haddad has officially committed to the Iowa Hawkeyes through the transfer portal - and it’s a move that adds real depth and long-term potential to the secondary in Iowa’s evolving defensive scheme.
Haddad, a 5-foot-11, 186-pound safety out of Cleveland’s St. Ignatius High School, was a 3-star recruit in the 2025 class.
He spent last season with the Buckeyes, but didn’t see the field, ultimately redshirting due to a loaded defensive back room in Columbus. That’s not exactly uncommon for first-year players at a program like Ohio State, where elite talent stacks up quickly, but it also opened the door for Haddad to explore new opportunities - and Iowa wasted no time making its pitch.
According to Rivals’ transfer portal rankings, Haddad checks in as the No. 74 safety and the 862nd overall player available. While those numbers might not jump off the page, the Hawkeyes clearly see something they like - and they’re not alone. Haddad had reportedly been lining up visits with Tennessee, Nebraska, and Texas A&M before locking in with Iowa, signaling that his skill set is valued across multiple Power Five programs.
Coming out of high school, Haddad’s recruitment was robust. He held offers from a host of Big Ten and SEC schools, including Missouri, Michigan State, Indiana, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and yes - Iowa. While Ohio State won that battle the first time around, the Hawkeyes’ persistence, both on the trail and in the portal, has paid off this time.
This is another strong portal pickup for Kirk Ferentz and longtime defensive coordinator Phil Parker, who continues to reload a secondary that’s been a hallmark of Iowa’s defensive identity. Haddad becomes the fourth defensive back to join the program during this 2026 transfer cycle, alongside Anthony Hawkins, Tyler Brown, and Xavier Styles.
Perhaps the most intriguing part of this addition? Haddad arrives in Iowa City with all four years of NCAA eligibility still intact. That gives the coaching staff time to develop him within their system and potentially mold him into a key contributor down the line - if not sooner.
For a program that prides itself on defensive discipline and player development, this is exactly the kind of under-the-radar move that could pay big dividends.