As the transfer portal chaos continues, the Hawkeyes are also keeping their eyes on the recruiting trail.
To the dismay of many of the surrounding Power Four programs, the Hawkeyes have made a living recruiting talent from nearby states.
In the 2026 recruiting class, the Iowa program has gotten some big commitments from out-of-state prospects, including four-star prospects Darion Jones (Nebraska), Gene Riordan (Illinois), and Hudson Parliament (South Dakota).
The Iowa program has a reputation for developing offensive and defensive talent, and that reputation has attracted more high-level prospects over the past few seasons.
With that in mind, the program has heavily focused on bolstering the offensive line unit in the 2027 class by offering multiple rising-star prospects, including one who resides just down the road from ur rivals in Lincoln, Nebraska.
After a great game day visit and an in school visit with coach @CoachBarnett_OL I am blessed to receive my 5th D1 offer to Iowa! #AGTG @HawkeyeFootball @AGBluejayFball pic.twitter.com/m0r9ruafTS
— Barrett Kitrell (@BarrettK54) January 8, 2026
Offensive line coach George Barnett has been cooking this week, offering another talented offensive line prospect.
Ashland, Nebraska native Barrett Kitrell announced he received an offer from the Iowa program after a brief visit and a great conversation with Barnett.
Kitrell is currently an unranked prospect in the 2027 recruiting class but has been rising on recruiting boards lately.
He has the prototypical size (six-foot-four, 270 pounds) and skill the Hawkeyes are looking for, and the program would like nothing more than to steal him away from rival Nebraska.
Kitrell has football in his blood
Since picking up his first Power Four offer from Iowa State last October, Kitrell is now up to five offers, including from Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas.
Kitrell is part of a football family with his older brothers, Blake (Tulsa), Bo (Nebraska), Brett (Ohio), and Bryce (Ohio), all of whom play college football.
His dad Barry also played college football for Nebraska
Kitrell has the size and skill to play on the offensive or defensive line, but coach Barnett has been heavily involved in his recruitment, suggesting the Hawkeyes want him on offense.