One of Iowa’s top defensive linemen has made his college choice official.
Brady Hagan, who is set to be a senior at Dowling Catholic High School this fall, announced on social media that he will play at Southeast Missouri State University.
“After much prayer and consideration, I am blessed to announce my commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at Southeast Missouri State University,” Hagan posted on X (formerly known as Twitter). “Thank you to God for His guidance, my family for their endless support, my coaches for believing in me, and the Dowling Catholic community for helping shape who I am.
Blessed to announce my commitment to play Division I football at Southeast Missouri State University‼️#GoRedhawks @SEMOfootball @Coach_Fuhrman @coachrcoon @Matukewicz36268 @CoachTWils @mikefontana65 @CoachBradyWalz @CoachBurkenbine @dchsfootball @TheStrengthU pic.twitter.com/pKn87vDJo8
Hagan is part of a Dowling Catholic team that High School On SI Iowa has ranked No. 1 in its preseason Top 25. The Maroons are also coming off a Class 5A state title, and Hagan played a key role in the championship game, finishing with two tackles and one tackle for loss in a 27-10 win over Iowa City Liberty.
His season line was strong across the board: 42 tackles, six tackles for loss and two quarterback sacks. Dowling Catholic’s defense around him is loaded again, with senior Carlos Blount, Jr., senior Jeremiah Roberson and juniors Dylan Ducharme and Jimmy Howard also set to return.
That unit was a wrecking ball last season, piling up 73 tackles for loss and 33 quarterback sacks in 2025.
Hagan also lines up on offense at guard, where Dowling Catholic will have plenty of new faces around him. Ethan La Cava is expected to step in at quarterback for Joey Nahas, while juniors Grayson Pennington and Henry Smid will get the first shot at replacing 1,700-yard rusher Ian Middleton.
The receiving corps has taken some hits, too, with Sam Drexler and Jeffrey Roberts now at the University of Northern Iowa and Iowa State University, respectively. Beau Williams is back after hauling in two touchdowns on three catches for 113 yards.
Hagan’s impact isn’t limited to football. He’s also one of the state’s top heavyweight wrestlers and went 38-5 this past season, reaching the state championship finals before falling to four-time state winner and Oklahoma State recruit Dreshaun Ross of Fort Dodge.
Ross beat Hagan three times this winter, and Hagan heads into his final season on the mat with a 111-24 career record.
Southeast Missouri State, which competes in the Ohio Valley Conference at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision level, is coached by Tom Matukewicz. The Redhawks finished 4-8 last season.
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