Iowa Football takes advantage of another coach's firing, offering 2026 prospect Josiah Vilmael

Vilmael was previously committed to Oklahoma State
Duke Slater Field at Kinnick Stadium is seen during Hawkeyes football media day, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, in Iowa City, Iowa.

210813 Ia Fb Media Slater 001 Jpg
Duke Slater Field at Kinnick Stadium is seen during Hawkeyes football media day, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, in Iowa City, Iowa. 210813 Ia Fb Media Slater 001 Jpg | Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Iowa Football remained active in recruiting this weekend, despite a pivotal Big Ten matchup against Indiana on Saturday.

The Hawkeyes were not able to complete the upset over No. 11 Indiana at Kinnick Stadium for Homecoming, but had multiple prospects in attendance.

Even with all the prospects in attendance, Iowa took a different approach on the recruiting trail, offering a prospect who had recently decommitted from Oklahoma State.

The future of the Oklahoma State football program is in limbo after firing long-time head coach Mike Gundy.

Gundy was at the helm of the Cowboys football program for 21 seasons, but his final two seasons were tumultuous, with records of 3-9 in 2024 and 1-2 to start this season, before he was let go.

After Gundy was fired last week, the Hawkeyes swooped in and offered a three-star commit who reopened his recruitment.

2026 defensive back prospect Josiah Vilmael announced he received an offer from Iowa Football over the weekend.

Vilmael reopened his commitment after Gundy was fired, and he told Rivals that his recruitment has picked up significantly over the past few weeks.

Vilmael also stated that he was not considering any other programs at the time, but multiple teams have already reached out to him.

Rivals has ranked Vilmael as a three-star prospect, Texas's No. 242 prospect, and the No. 183 cornerback prospect in the 2026 recruiting class. Rivals' industry ranking also has Vilmael ranked as the No. 1415 overall prospect in the class.

247Sports has ranked Vilmael as a three-star prospect, Texas's No. 220 prospect, and the No. 145 cornerback prospect in the 2026 recruiting class.

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