Ben McCollum's biggest win on the recruiting trail in the 2027 cycle just got even bigger.
It has been an eventful offseason for the Hawkeye program just ahead of summer workouts and year two for McCollum. After losing Bennett Stirtz to the NBA Draft and Alvaro Folgueiras to the transfer portal, the program didn't waste time bringing in four talented players. They brought in Ty'Reek Coleman and Andrew McKeever from the transfer portal and added Ethan Harris and Jaidyn Coon via the 2026 recruiting class.
Adding more talent to the roster is paramount, and a recent 2027 commit is going to add even more in a few seasons, especially after a well-deserved rankings boost.
Keller Daugherty took a massive jump in 247Sports' most recent 2027 rankings
2027 six-foot-ten forward prospect Keller Daugherty recently committed to the Iowa program, and it was an under-the-radar signing at the time. McCollum and the staff definitely knew something most experts didn't, because almost immediately after signing, he received a massive boost in the rankings.
Iowa Basketball: Where Hawkeyes' Commit Keller Daugherty, Top Targets Stand In Updated 247Sports Rankings
— Sean Bock (@SBock247) June 18, 2026
Daugherty sees a big rise in the rankings, while Iowa five-star point guard target Cayden Daughtry moves into the top-10 nationally.
Story: https://t.co/y7fw7ZCS2V
At the time of his commitment, Daugherty's prospect ranking seemed a little too low, and his latest boost feels long overdue. 247Sports ranked him a three-star prospect, and just outside of the top-150 overall at No. 153, and his current ranking better reflects his potential and skill set. 247Sports now ranks him as a four-star prospect, the No. 17 power forward prospect, and the No. 109 overall prospect, which is quite a jump from being unranked not long ago.
Daugherty chose the Hawkeyes over Colorado State, Drake, and Oklahoma, with Big Ten programs Illinois and Nebraska showing increasing interest. McCollum might have just pulled off one of the biggest recruiting heists in the 2027 class, and it is easy to see why.
Daugherty had a massive growth spurt before his junior year in high school, reaching six-foot-ten, and before being moved into the post, he was primarily a guard. Those skills stayed with him, and as he developed a solid post game, he became nearly unstoppable on both ends of the court. He is a big man with guard-like skills, and he showcased that last season. He can score from anywhere, handle the basketball, and can guard any position on the court, something McCollum highly values.
It is difficult to see how Daugherty slipped under the radar for so many programs with his versatile skill set and growing potential, and McCollum showed his recruiting prowess by convincing him to come to Iowa City. Daugherty has the potential to make an immediate impact, and we can't wait to see him on campus in 2027.
Add us as a preferred source on Google