What a way to kick off the 2027 recruiting cycle for the Iowa Hawkeyes!
The Iowa program has traditionally been stellar at developing talent under Head Coach Kirk Ferentz, taking under-recruited players and turning them into All-Big Ten performers or NFL-ready prospects.
A prime example of Iowa's ability to take undervalued recruits and turn them into stars is current Denver Broncos star cornerback Riley Moss.
Moss was a two-star recruit from Centennial High School in Ankeny, Iowa, and no one knew the talent he possessed because he picked up football late in his high school career.
Ferentz and the coaching staff saw his potential, and gave him a late offer.
After being thrust into playing time early as a true freshman, Moss turned into one of college football's best defensive backs.
The narrative has slightly shifted for the Hawkeyes over the past few recruiting cycles, as the coaching staff has snagged more highly-ranked recruits.
While the program's ability to develop talent will remain, it is a welcome sight that more talented prospects are choosing the Iowa program.
After early signing day, the Hawkeye program added seven four-star recruits in the 2026 recruiting class, and according to Rivals, it boasts its highest-ranked class since 2021.
Following a successful early singing day, the program added their first commitment of the 2027 recruiting class.
🚨BREAKING🚨 2027 4-star LB Gavin Stecker has committed to Iowa🐤
— Rivals (@Rivals) December 9, 2025
Read: https://t.co/GWTkI4ArKk pic.twitter.com/I7hVvgLpoU
Talented in-state linebacker prospect Gavin Stecker announced he is staying home after committing to the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Stecker, a Bettendorf, Iowa, native, is the first prospect in the 2027 class to commit to the program.
The Hawkeyes offered Stecker in June after he put on an impressive display at one of the summer football camps.
As a junior this season, Stecker was an anchor in the middle of the Bulldogs' defense, leading the team in tackles with 77, including seven tackles for loss.
Rivals has currently ranked Stecker as a four-star prospect, Iowa's No. 2 overall prospect, the No. 19 linebacker prospect, and the No. 277 overall prospect in the 2027 recruiting class.