For nearly three decades, Kirk Ferentz has been the embodiment of consistency in college football - a steady hand guiding the Iowa Hawkeyes through the ever-changing tides of the sport. This past season was no different. Despite losing key contributors on both sides of the ball, Ferentz’s squad still managed to finish 9-4 overall and 6-3 in Big Ten play, capping the year with their first bowl win since the 2022 Music City Bowl.
The Hawkeyes have never been about chasing five-star headlines. Their formula is built on development, culture, and finding the right fit - not just the most hyped name. And now, they’re looking to extend that formula into the 2027 recruiting class with an offer to one of Chicago’s rising two-way talents: Darrell Mattison.
Mattison, a standout from Morgan Park High School, announced his Iowa offer after a conversation with assistant defensive coordinator Seth Wallace. The 6-foot-2 athlete plays all over the field for the Mustangs - wide receiver, cornerback, safety - and he’s been turning heads despite not yet being ranked by the major recruiting services.
But don’t let the lack of stars fool you. Mattison’s offer list is already pushing 20 programs deep, and it’s not a throwaway list either.
Power Four schools like Michigan, Michigan State, Illinois, Iowa State, Nebraska, Ole Miss, and Vanderbilt are all in the mix. That kind of attention speaks volumes about his upside, even if the rankings haven’t caught up yet.
For Iowa, Wallace and longtime defensive coordinator Phil Parker see Mattison as a defensive piece - likely at cornerback or safety. Given his size and versatility, safety might be the more natural fit, but if there’s one thing we’ve learned from Parker’s defenses over the years, it’s that roles are flexible, and production matters more than projections. They’ve made a habit of turning under-the-radar recruits into All-Big Ten performers and NFL draft picks.
At this point, Iowa’s 2027 class is still in its early stages, with just three commitments, all from in-state prospects. Adding Mattison would give the Hawkeyes a dynamic, multi-positional athlete who fits the mold of what they’ve built their program on - gritty, coachable, and overlooked by the rankings but not by the film.
It’s still early in Mattison’s recruitment, but Iowa’s offer is a clear sign they believe he can be a part of their next wave of defensive playmakers. And if history is any guide, when Ferentz and Parker identify a guy they like, it’s usually worth paying attention.