As the summer winds down and fall camp approaches, the Hawkeyes are in full-go mode for next season.
With the 2026 Big Ten Football Media Days in the rearview mirror, it means the college football season is right around the corner. The Hawkeyes still have some question marks heading into next season, but have a lot of unproven talent across the board. In the midst of the intense preparation for the 2026-2027 season, the Hawkeyes picked up a 2028 commitment from a two-sport standout with a familiar last name, the second prospect to commit in the class.
Iowa picked up a commitment from 2028 two-sport star James Barnett
Ever since joining the Hawkeye staff in 2021, OL coach George Barnett has diligently worked to get the offensive line group back to Iowa standards and keep them there. Over the past two seasons, Iowa has finished as a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award (2024) and the winner of the award (2025). With multiple veterans on the squad, Iowa needs more offensive line depth in the future, and they got some in the 2028 class.
Staying home🐤@TylerBarnesIOWA @CoachMaccc pic.twitter.com/Zq7N2hiAif
— James Barnett (@JamesBarne47542) July 31, 2026
Track and football star James Barnett announced he has committed to the Hawkeyes. James, the son of offensive line coach George Barnett, initially received an offer from the program at the end of June and accepted shortly after. James' decision makes a lot of sense for both parties, and it isn't just because of who his father is. James is a very talented athlete with a lot of potential, and even though he is currently ranked as only a three-star prospect, that could easily change before he makes the short drive to Kinnick Stadium. James is a versatile football player who has played on both the offensive and defensive lines throughout his time with the Iowa City West Trojans, much like former Hawkeye star Logan Jones.
As George Barnett's son, James is privileged to have advantages other players don't have, including spending a lot of time around the Iowa football program. After shifting from a variety of positions on the offensive and defensive line, Barnett became the starting center for the Trojans last season and learned a lot from Jones before he departed for the NFL. Barnett's two main takeaways from Jones were leadership and toughness, and he wants to embrace all the responsibility that comes with being the center.
James admitted that he initially wanted to play center for the challenge because he believes it's the toughest position on the offensive line. That kind of versatility is something Iowa actively searches for, especially when it comes from a true center. Most centers in college football are versatile and move there from other positions, and adding Barnett as a true center is a huge advantage for the program. After Jones graduated, the program moved extremely talented offensive lineman Kade Pieper to center out of necessity, and he could easily depart for the NFL after this season. That means the Hawkeyes will be in a similar position next season until Barnett arrives on campus.
We are not anointing Barnett as the center of the future, and his dad is so adept at developing talent that it is not out of the question that someone else emerges as the starting center. James' versatility and athleticism will be a great addition to the program, and his high school coach has nothing but praise for him.
"He's a four-star, five-star, in my opinion...he's so quick with his feet, he's so explosive, he's never out of position, and he's tough."Garrett Hartwig, IC West HC
James brings multiple things to the table, and this definitely won't be the last time we hear his name as he progresses in his development with the Iowa football program.
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