Jan Jensen and Iowa have made a habit of aiming high on the recruiting trail, and the Hawkeyes are already taking a swing at one of the top names in the 2029 class.
That approach has paid off in a big way over the past few cycles. Jensen has already landed five-star recruits Addie Deal in 2024 and McKenna Woliczko in 2026, along with four-star additions Journey Houston and Layla Hays in 2025.
Iowa also secured elite shooter and four-star guard Jada Seubert, who is ranked No. 72 overall in the 2027 class. Now the focus has shifted even further down the road, with the Hawkeyes extending an offer to a guard with major upside.
Harper Winter, a do-it-all point guard from Overland Park, Kansas, announced on July 15, 2026 that she had received an offer from Iowa after what she described as a great conversation with the staff.
After a great conversation with @goiowa, I’m blessed to say I’ve received an offer from @IowaWBB. @MokanGirls @WinterSportsLaw @Dylan_Evans85 @BJDunbar10 @CoachTiff12 @vicwilli pic.twitter.com/5DJgBGfTEb
- Harper Winter (@harperwinter40) July 15, 2026
Even at this early stage in the 2029 cycle, Winter is already drawing serious attention. ESPN has her listed as a four-star prospect with a scouting grade of 92 overall, an eye-opening mark for a freshman. Prep Girls Hoops has her as Kansas’ No. 1 prospect in the class.
Winter made an immediate impact at Blue Valley North High School as a freshman, coming in after the program had just won the Kansas 6A State Championship the year before. She filled up the stat sheet across the board, earning MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year honors after averaging 18.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 3.0 steals per game.
The early offer list already includes Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas State, and Texas Tech, and that group figures to keep growing. For Iowa, landing Winter would be another clear sign that Jensen can go toe-to-toe with the biggest names in women’s college basketball when it comes to recruiting.
It’s far too early to make final judgments on Winter’s game, but based on what she showed as a freshman, she has the kind of all-around skill set that could change a program. If she eventually teams with Seubert in the backcourt, Iowa would have a strong foundation for the future, and the Hawkeyes will keep looking to add more guard depth along the way.
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The Hawkeyes have positioned themselves well enough to be in the conversation early, but the race is far from simple. Daughtry is drawing heavy attention from Arkansas, Louisville, Miami, Michigan and Tennessee, and his official visit to Iowa City is set for later September, a trip that could help clarify where this battle really stands. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa Sets Another Special Kids Day At Kinnick
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The day is built around more than just football, though, with the 2026 Kid Captains set to get an inside look at Kinnick before joining players on the field for photos. Admission is free, and parking will be free in designated hard surface lots, with regular ramp fees still in place, while tickets are still available for several home games on the 2026 schedule, including matchups with Ohio State, Wisconsin for Homecoming, Purdue and Nebraska. [Read more 🡒]