Iowa Football Head Coach Kirk Ferentz has always been adamant about recruiting players with the right mental makeup and developing them from within.
It might not appear in the class rankings, but Ferentz and his staff prefer developing prospects rather than buying them from the transfer portal.
Over the past few weeks, the Hawkeye program has focused on adding in-state prospects, including preferred walk-ons Isaiah Oliver (Waukee) and Noah Daniel (Fort Dodge), and four-star prospects Kasen Thomas (Sioux City) and Julian Manson.
The Hawkeyes also have their eyes on a three-star prospect from Bettendorf, Iowa.
#agtg Thank you, @CoachSWallace, for a great phone call. I'm grateful to receive an offer from @HawkeyeFootball #gohawks pic.twitter.com/XL9e0EnTjV
— Gavin Stecker (@gstecker24) June 25, 2025
After meeting with assistant defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Seth Wallace, 2027 prospect Gavin Stecker announced he received an offer from Iowa Football.
Stecker, a six-foot-three, 205-pound linebacker prospect, is a Bettendorf, Iowa, native and had a successful season for Bettendorf High School last season.
During his sophomore season, Stecker tallied 58 tackles.
On3 Sports Industry ranked Stecker as a three-star prospect, Iowa's No. 6 prospect, and the No. 376 overall player in the 2027 recruiting class.
247 Sports Composite ranked Stecker as a four-star prospect, Iowa's No. 6 prospect, and the No. 305 overall prospect in the 2027 recruiting class.
Stecker has received three offers, including Iowa, Iowa State, and Kansas State, with Iowa as the projected favorite landing spot.
The Hawkeyes continue offering in-state prospects to keep the most talented players in the state. The program has successfully added local talent and developed them into All-Big Ten-caliber players, especially at the linebacker position.
If the Hawkeyes add Stecker, they will get a solid in-state prospect who can make an immediate impact on the defensive side of the football.