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Iowa Football: New Hawkeyes Faxing In Their Commitment On Early Signing Day

By Joe Favia

LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 24: General view of footballs used by the Iowa Hawkeyes before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on November 24, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 24: General view of footballs used by the Iowa Hawkeyes before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on November 24, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /
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The ‘brave new world’ of college football recruiting has begun with the first time implementation of the early signing day between December 20th-22nd. No longer do all high school seniors have to wait until February to make official what so many have had set in their minds since the Summer. And, for a select group, they are committing to a Hawkeye program looking to return to the top of the Big Ten West.

According to 24/7 Sports the Hawkeyes had the #41 ranked recruiting class last season. Many players have contributed through the 2017 campaign which will finish in New York City in the Pinstripe Bowl next week.

Nine of the 22 that signed with the Hawkeyes last season had meaningful playing time over the course of their first year in Iowa City. The biggest impacts were made by defensive end AJ Epenesa, WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Ivory Kelly-Martin, and defensive backs Matt Hankins and Geno Stone.

Twelve additional players from the 2017 class played little or were red-shirted, and should enter the fold big time for spring practices. Iowa will also be getting Daivyon Nixon who spent the fall at Iowa Western, and could be apart of the interior defensive line in 2018. Most of the class has been in tact for some time. Late changes such as the ‘flip’ of LB Ben Vansumeren to Michigan, and the late pursuit of a quarterback have changed things. The post-bowl game attrition will factor in the amount of players who additionally could be signing in February.

Iowa has made the commitment to finding the ‘right’ recruits over the past couple of seasons that fit the Hawkeye mantra, and will buy into the program. Though they will not finish ahead of Ohio State or Alabama, tough and smart players will usually be who Iowa coaches take a look at.