The Iowa Hawkeyes have long made Illinois a key part of their recruiting territory, and that pipeline doesn’t appear to be drying up anytime soon. With 18 players from the Land of Lincoln currently on the roster - including notable contributors like Gennings Dunker and Jonah Pace, who are headed toward graduation - the Hawkeyes continue to look east for talent. And in the 2027 class, they’re zeroing in on a few more names from the Chicago area.
One of the latest offers out of Iowa City went to David Folorunsho, a versatile lineman out of St. Patrick High School in Chicago.
Folorunsho is a 2027 prospect who’s lined up on both sides of the ball - offensive line, defensive line, and even some tight end duties for the Shamrocks. That kind of versatility is rare, especially at his size: 6-foot-4, 280 pounds with the kind of raw athleticism that jumps off the tape.
Folorunsho made the announcement himself on social media, posting a photo featuring former Hawkeye standout Adrian Clayborn - a subtle nod to Iowa’s proud defensive line tradition. The offer came via defensive line coach Kelvin Bell, which gives us a pretty clear signal: Iowa sees Folorunsho as a potential disruptor on the defensive front.
That’s a projection 247Sports seems to agree with. They’ve slotted Folorunsho in as a defensive lineman in their rankings, pegging him as a three-star prospect, the No. 25 overall player in Illinois, and the No. 72 defensive line prospect in the 2027 class.
It’s still early, but this offer tells us a few things. First, Iowa’s not just chasing stars - they’re identifying traits.
Folorunsho may not be a household name yet, but the Hawkeyes see a moldable, high-upside athlete who could thrive in Phil Parker’s defensive system. Second, Chicago remains a focal point in Iowa’s recruiting blueprint.
Folorunsho is the second player from the city to receive an offer recently, signaling a continued effort to mine the area for talent.
If Folorunsho does end up in black and gold, he’d be stepping into a program that knows how to develop defensive linemen - and one that’s clearly building something with Illinois talent at its core.