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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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IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 23: Quarterback Trace McSorely
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 23: Quarterback Trace McSorely /

DE John Waggoner

A long and winding road was the recruitment of the Des Moines native John Waggoner. Iowa fans dreamed of the future pairing of AJ Epenesa and Waggoner waging war on Big Ten quarterbacks for several seasons. That dream can now be realized when Waggoner decided his home state team was his decision.

The Hawkeyes are loaded with both seasoned and young talent up and down the defensive line, so it remains to be seen if Waggoner sees the field right away. But, with time, he could be a player like Matt Roth (here’s hoping) that can perhaps lead the Hawkeyes back to Indianapolis.

S Julius Brents

https://twitter.com/Jbrents_18/status/943229030890958850

The Indianapolis to Iowa City pipeline continued to bare fruits with the commitment of safety Julius Brents.

The defensive backfield is loaded with young athletes for Iowa even with the presumed early departure of unanimous All-American Josh Jackson to the NFL. Brents joins young players like Geno Stone, Matt Hankins, Josh Turner, Trey Creamer and his classmates DJ Johnson and Terry Roberts.

DL Tyler Linderbaum

The defensive line gets additional posts from an in-state recruit. The Solon, Iowa native joins newcomers Daviyon Nixon and Noah Shannon to work with coach Reese Morgan. The group tries to replace the likes of Jaleel Johnson, Faith Ekaktie who left last season, and Nathan Bazata who is playing in his final game next week.

CB DJ Johnson

https://twitter.com/DjJohnson1127/status/900024862961524736

Getting DJ Johnson was one of the biggest moments of the recruiting season for Iowa. With the likes of Ohio State, Notre Dame and LSU vying for his services, it was a big win for the staff.

Iowa having a winner and two finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award in Desmond King and Josh Jackson proves it is among the premiere developmental schools for defensive backs in the country. With the potential emergence of Amani Hooker and Matt Hankins in 2018, that doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon.

LB Dillon Doyle

The son of Iowa strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle, the hometown linebacker comes into a position that will see competition for playing time for 2018 occur right away. The Hawkeyes have been exceptional developing LB’s such as Ben Niemann, Josey Jewell, Anthony Hitchens and Christian Kirksey in recent years. Doyle very well could be one of the next award winners for the Hawkeyes at linebacker.

DL Noah Shannon

At the end of May, Noah Shannon decided he didn’t want to ‘row the boat’, and decommitted from Minnesota. Now, he will have the chance to help the Hawkeyes keep the Floyd of Rosedale Trophy for the next four seasons.

CB Terry Roberts

Iowa’s success in Erie, Pennsylvania continues. Roberts who had an exceptional senior season comes to the Hawkeyes to learn under the esteemed Phil Parker alongside many young players who could make 2018-2021 very exciting.