The Iowa-Iowa State football rivalry has been splitting the state since 1894, and it is one of the more fascinating in-state rivalries in college football.
It is uncommon to have two solid college football programs in one state, and their proximity fuels heated battles not just on the gridiron but also on the recruiting trail. Under Kirk Ferentz, the Iowa program has done extremely well recruiting in-state prospects, thanks to the program's success during his tenure, but Iowa State has also had its fair share of recruiting wins in the state.
With long-time Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell now with Penn State, it is a perfect time for the Hawkeyes to pounce on the unknown and instability of the Cyclones' program, especially on the recruiting trail. Iowa has a massive recruiting weekend for the 2028 class starting on June 19, with three in-state prospects currently deciding between the Hawkeyes and Cyclones.
Jevyn Severson, TE (Madrid, IA)
Rivals Industry Ranking: four-star, Iowa's No. 1 overall prospect, No. 4 TE prospect, No. 84 overall
An extremely talented tight end prospect in the 2028 recruiting class resides in small-town Iowa, and the Hawkeyes are in the mix to make him the next talented tight end to attend Tight End U. Jevyn Severson is currently ranked as the top Iowa prospect in the class and has all the skills to be the next great Iowa tight end.
Severson is extremely athletic for his size, and he can catch everything thrown his way. He has great hands and also has the ability to high-point the football and make catches outside of his body. He is a massive target that provides a security blanket for his quarterback, something the Iowa offense highly values.
He would make an immediate impact on the Iowa offense with his pass-catching ability, and the program must find a way to bring him to Iowa City. Rivals currently projects Iowa State to sign him, with a 36 percent chance to Iowa's 18 percent.
Declan Heying, OT (Des Moines, IA)
Rivals Industry Ranking: four-star, Iowa's No. 3 overall prospect, No. 23 OT prospect, No. 234 overall
In-state offensive tackle prospect Declan Heying is another top prospect who is fighting between Iowa and Iowa State, but he looks like a traditional Iowa offensive lineman. The Iowa program has earned the Joe Moore Award twice in its illustrious history (2016, 2025), and adding a prospect of Heying's caliber is a key to keeping that tradition going.
The Iowa program has been extremely successful in developing offensive linemen, and Heying has all the physical tools to be the next in line. Heying is a massive human being at six-foot-six, 275 pounds, and he still has two more seasons to add more strength and weight before college. He has already showcased his elite blocking ability at Des Moines Christian High School over his first two seasons, and he continues to improve.
Rivals is giving the Hawkeyes an early edge over the Cyclones to sign Heying, with a projected 25 percent chance to Iowa State's 18 percent. Next weekend is a great chance for the Hawkeyes to push their advantage even higher.
Isaiah Grant, WR (Sioux City, IA)
Rivals Industry Ranking: four-star prospect, Iowa's No. 4 overall prospect, No. 42 WR, No. 293 overall
Iowa's wide receiver room is the best it's been in a long time, and to keep that trend going, they need to sign prospects like Isaiah Grant. Not only is Grant a top-five Iowa prospect, but he is a top-50 wide receiver prospect in the nation. After losing out on four-star WR prospect Lawrence Britt, signing Grant has become even more important.
Grant's biggest asset is his speed, and he often uses it to blow by his defender and make catches on the outside. He also has good athleticism and hands, allowing him to make tough catches, including in traffic. Grant also has good size (six-foot-two) and would give Iowa another legit weapon on the outside.
Iowa's quarterback situation aside, bringing in more weapons at the wide receiver position is a great sign that the offense is ready to take the next step and build a competent passing attack. Rivals currently gives Iowa a massive edge over Iowa State to sign Grant, with a 50 percent chance compared to Iowa State's 30 percent.
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