Iowa football: 3 immediate impact players of 2020 recruiting class

The Iowa football team’s 2020 recruiting class is shaping up to be one of Kirk’s best ever. Let’s look at three guys that could have an immediate impact.

Kirk Ferentz and the Iowa football team have done an excellent job of assembling their 2020 recruiting class, hauling in more than 10 new recruits this past weekend. As it stands, the class has 20 verbal commitments which should just about wrap up Iowa’s 2020 recruits, minus one or two more players.

The class is ranked 18th in the country and 3rd in the Big Ten. It’s quite an impressive jump from last season when Ferentz’ 2019 class was ranked 41st in the country and 9th in the Big Ten. The Iowa coaching staff has done good work of recruiting in-state talent while establishing pipelines in other states.

Indianapolis has been a city that the Hawks have struck gold in recent years and the 2020 class was no different. In addition, Largo, Florida is another city that Iowa has tapped into for prospects getting wide receiver Calvin Lockett as part of the 2018 class and two more as part of this class.

After all is said and done, several of these players have a great chance to make an immediate impact with the team. Let’s look at three players who will.

1. Logan Jones, strong-side defensive end

Jones is a 6-3, 255-pound defensive end prospect from Council Bluffs, Iowa. He’s ranked as the best prospect in the state of Iowa and the 13th best strong-side defensive end in the country. The size he already has accompanied with the strength and speed is going to make him a prime candidate to play as a true freshman.

Given that A.J. Epenesa will be a junior this season and is likely to depart to the NFL as a top-5 pick, there appears to be an opportunity for Jones to get significant playing time in 2020. Chauncey Golston figures to return unless he has a monster season, but one of John Waggoner or Nathan Nelson will get the open spot left by Epenesa.

Jones, just like Epenesa, can make a strong impact as a rotational player. Expect him to see a good chunk of playing time next year.

2. Quavon Matthews, wide receiver

Matthews is one of the recruits that the Iowa football team has landed through the Largo, Florida pipeline. He’s ranked as a 3-star prospect and his physical stature screams slot receiver. Standing at 5-11, 165 pounds, Matthews is fast.

He’s an extremely shifty receiver that can make people miss. Nico Ragaini and Tyrone Tracy, Jr. will be fighting for the starting slot receiver position this season but Matthews could see the field as a part-time player in 2020. Someone with physical tools like Matthews can immediately be inserted and be productive.

Michigan transfer and Iowa City native, Oliver Martin, will be part of the wide receiver corps in 2020 as well, but he figures to be fighting for playing time with Brandon Smith or Ihmir Smith-Marsette.

3. Reggie Bracy, safety

Bracy was one of the guys that committed to the Iowa football team over the weekend when the Hawkeyes coaching staff hosted several of their recruits and commits. He’s a 3-star prospect from Mobile, Alabama and was ranked as the 38th best player in the state and 55th best safety in the country.

He’s got the ideal size for a safety standing at 6-0, 190 pounds so it won’t require much fine tuning to get his weight to where Iowa wants him to be. Geno Stone will be the only upperclassmen next season but that’s assuming he returns.

Stone is the type of player I could see having a breakout season and going to the NFL a year early, which opens the door for some playing time. Kaevon Merriweather is projected to be the opening day free safety with seniors Devonte Young and John Milani being the primary backups for both safety positions.

Young and Milani will at the very least move on after this season, which could open the door for someone like Reggie Bracy who has good footwork and physicality to compete for jump balls.