Iowa’s 2026 Recruiting Class: A Deep Dive into the Hawkeyes’ Final 247Sports Rankings
The final 247Sports rankings for the 2026 recruiting cycle are in, and Iowa’s class is turning heads for all the right reasons. The Hawkeyes wrapped up the cycle with seven four-star signees, each graded at 86 or above - a strong haul that speaks to the program’s continued growth on the recruiting trail.
Nationally, Iowa’s class comes in at No. 28, good for 8th in the Big Ten. It’s the program’s most four-star-heavy class since 2024, when they landed eight such prospects. This group is loaded with versatility, high ceilings, and players who fit the Hawkeyes’ identity - tough, smart, and ready to develop.
Let’s break down the headliners and where they landed in the final rankings.
DB Darion Jones
- Overall Rank: 105
- Position Rank: 10
Jones is the kind of athlete that makes coaches salivate. A dynamic three-phase player at Omaha North, he’s a touchdown threat whenever the ball is in his hands - and that’s not just hyperbole. Whether it was locking down receivers, flipping the field as a returner, or making plays on offense, Jones did it all.
In just nine games as a senior, he tallied 25 tackles, three TFLs, three interceptions, and six pass breakups on defense. Offensively, he hauled in 25 catches for 390 yards and five touchdowns.
And on special teams? He was electric - averaging 27.7 yards per kick return (including a 92-yard score) and 25.3 yards per punt return, taking two to the house.
His versatility and explosiveness make him one of the most intriguing pieces in Iowa’s class.
QB Tradon Bessinger
- Overall Rank: 185
- Position Rank: 12
Bessinger’s rise into the top 200 is no accident. The Utah product put together a senior season that was nothing short of spectacular, completing 76% of his passes for over 4,300 yards, 53 touchdowns, and just four picks. Those are video game numbers - and they came against quality competition.
He added two more scores on the ground and led his team to a double-overtime thriller in the Utah State Playoffs. A former Boise State commit, Bessinger is now Iowa’s highest-ranked quarterback signee since Jake Christensen. He’s got the arm, the poise, and the production to potentially be a game-changer in Iowa City.
DB Marcello Vitti
- Position Rank: 17
Vitti feels like a tailor-made fit for Phil Parker’s defense. He’s a compact, physical defensive back with a knack for finding the football and delivering big hits. Whether he ends up at safety or the CASH position, Vitti brings a level of tenacity and ball-hawking ability that jumps off the tape.
His senior stats back it up: 80 tackles, five TFLs, a sack, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, a pick-six, and nine PBUs. Oh, and he wasn’t just a defender - he ran for 1,374 yards and 21 touchdowns, caught 17 passes for 367 yards and three more scores, and led his team to a state title. Named Michigan’s Gatorade Player of the Year, Vitti is as complete a football player as they come.
OL Carson Nielsen
- Position Rank: 25
Nielsen was the first to jump on board in the 2026 class, and he’s continued to trend upward since. A big, athletic lineman with eye-popping measurables, he’s still raw, but the ceiling is sky-high. He’s more of a long-term development piece, but Iowa has had success molding players like him into anchors up front.
He helped lead Waterloo West to the 5A playoffs, and while they fell in the first round, Nielsen’s individual growth was a bright spot. He’s a name to watch down the road.
OL Gene Riordan
- Position Rank: 22
Riordan brings versatility and athleticism to Iowa’s offensive line room. With a background in lacrosse, he’s nimble for his size and can play both guard and tackle - a trait the Hawkeyes value highly. That flexibility could get him on the field early, depending on how the depth chart shakes out.
While some of Iowa’s other OL signees project to specific spots (Nielsen and Linder at tackle, Whitters at guard, Parliament at center), Riordan could move around as needed - a valuable chess piece for the future.
LB Kasen Thomas
- Position Rank: 25
Thomas plays the game with his hair on fire. One of the most physical, explosive defenders in the state, he stayed loyal to Iowa despite a late push from Michigan. That says something about his character - and Iowa’s ability to close.
His senior stats are impressive: 40.5 tackles, 12 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, a pick-six, and three fumble recoveries. On offense, he was just as dominant, rushing for 1,405 yards and 23 touchdowns. He’s a tone-setter - the kind of linebacker Iowa builds its defense around.
LB Julian Mason
- Position Rank: 32
A legacy player with NFL upside, Mason is the son of former Hawkeye Jason Manson, and he’s got the athletic profile to match. Long, rangy, and physical, he’s expected to slot in at middle linebacker but has the versatility to have played tight end or even defensive end.
For Iowa City West, he was a tackling machine - 67 stops, six TFLs, an interception, and a forced fumble. Offensively, he added 560 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He’s a multi-dimensional athlete with the potential to be a centerpiece of Iowa’s defense down the road.
Other Notables in the Class
Even beyond the seven four-stars, this class is rich in potential. Every signee earned at least an 86 rating from 247Sports - a sign of the class’s depth.
- Hudson Parliament just missed four-star status but brings Big Ten-ready size and a nasty streak on the interior offensive line. He could push for early playing time.
- Colin Whitters is another high-floor offensive lineman with an 89 grade who projects as a guard.
- Luke Brewer (TE) and Brody Schaffer (WR) also checked in at 89. Brewer brings flexibility to the tight end group, while Schaffer is a playmaker with big-time upside on the outside.
- Owen Linder (OL), Billy Weivoda (LB), and Ronnie Hill (DB) each earned an 88. Linder is a developmental tackle with great tools.
Weivoda, out of Georgia, is a do-it-all linebacker who could fit in multiple roles. Hill is the quintessential Phil Parker find - under-the-radar, but with size, range, and ball skills that could make him a steal.
- Jack Janda (DL) and Xavier Stinson (WR) may not be the most hyped names, but they’re two of the more underrated gems in the group. Janda looks like a future anchor on the defensive line, while Stinson is one of the best X-receiver prospects Iowa has landed in recent years.
Final Thoughts
Iowa’s 2026 class isn’t just solid - it’s balanced, deep, and filled with players who fit the Hawkeye mold. From explosive playmakers like Darion Jones and Tradon Bessinger to hard-nosed defenders like Marcello Vitti and Kasen Thomas, this group has a little bit of everything.
It’s the kind of class that builds the foundation for future success - not just with stars at the top, but with high-upside prospects across the board. The rankings tell one story, but the film and fit tell another. And if history’s any indication, Iowa’s coaching staff knows how to turn classes like this into something special.