Kirk Ferentz quotes Albert Einstein after Iowa’s win over Nebraska
The Hawkeye head coach received his 204th sport at Iowa with an inconceivable victory during which his offense gained 5 first downs.
Iowa soccer coach Kirk Ferentz made it public on Wednesday that he does not plan on retiring. He stated he’ll return in 2025 due to the enjoyment he will get from being round his gamers and coaches.
“I believe there is a mutual respect amongst our workforce and folks in this system. To be a part of that each day is fairly particular. So I am having fun with that a part of it,” Ferentz stated.
The bottom of this system begins with recruiting, and Ferentz put the ending touches on his 2025 early signing day class on Wednesday.
Here is a fast have a look at that class and grades for every place.
Iowa soccer recruiting grades by place
Quarterback – C
Three-star quarterbacks Jimmy Sullivan and Ryan Fitzgerald (walk-on) each appear like strong school quarterback prospects, garnering curiosity from a number of high-profile colleges. Nevertheless, the category lacks a high-level standout that may encourage confidence that Iowa’s quarterback points could be solved through a highschool recruit. Iowa may very well be energetic within the switch portal.
Operating again – C
Nathan McNeil (Florida, three-star recruit) is the lone working again commit for the category. His different presents got here from Arkansas State and Rhode Island. Given Kaleb Johnson’s departure to the NFL, Iowa doubtless might want to depend on the fellows coming again or maybe a switch.
Extensive receiver – B
The Hawkeyes usher in a pair of cross catchers, Terrence Smith and Mason Woods, who ought to help the longer term quarterbacks of the workforce. Woods was a dynamic menace for the Iowa Metropolis West Trojans this 12 months, whereas Smith brings dimension at 6-foot-3.
Tight finish – A
Clear Lake four-star tight finish Thomas Meyer was the crown jewel of the 2025 class within the state of Iowa, trying so as to add to a protracted lineage of Hawkeye stars on the place. Eli Johnson out of Wisconsin ought to present good depth behind Meyer sooner or later as properly.
Offensive line – B
Not an enormous haul, with solely Lucas Allgeyer on the inside of the offensive line. Nevertheless, a four-year starter on the offensive and defensive position with a number of Hawkeyes in his household, he needs to be a pleasant pickup for the longer term. At 6-foot-6, he is an enormous man for the within as properly.
Line of defense – A
Iose Epenesa headlines this crop of three recruits. He initiatives a number of the identical flashy instruments his brother as soon as did for the Hawkeyes as a five-star recruit. If his expertise hits, together with strong manufacturing from Nice Valley product Joey VanWetzinga and Chicago native Brad Fitzgibbon, this may very well be a pleasant core for the longer term.
Linebacker – A
May Burke Gatcher (Sycamore, Illinois) be the following nice Iowa linebacker? Time will inform, however his four-star score suggests he very properly may very well be. Carson Cooney, a three-star from the state of Illinois (Oswego) had a number of presents from Huge Ten colleges and is taken into account a four-star by Rivals and On3.
Defensive backs – B
Woods might play at defensive again as properly, however even when he does not, a trio of three-star recruits in Charles Bell, O’Lantae Dean and Drew Macpherson present some nice depth throughout the secondary for future years.
Iowa soccer recruiting class grade
This class actually leans in on these Midwest ties, notably in Iowa and Illinois. The signing of Epenesa, together with another high-end prospects in Gautcher and Meyer, elevate the profile of the category, however nothing that can blow you away. That is usually what we have seen from Iowa, a program that develops gamers in addition to anybody.
Grade: B
Iowa soccer recruiting rankings
- 247Sports – thirty ninth
- Rivals – 57th
- On3.com – thirty third
Who did Iowa soccer signal?
- Lucas Allgeyer – three-star IOL from St. Louis, Missouri (Mary Institute & St. Louis Nation Day Excessive)
- Charles Bell – three-star CB from Mansfield, Massachusetts (St Thomas Extra College)
- Carson Cooney – three-star LB from Oswego, Illinois (Oswego Excessive)
- O’Lontae Dean – three-star ATH from Seffner, Florida (Armwood Excessive)
- Iose Epenesa- five-star DE from Edwardsville, Illinois (Edwardsville Excessive)
- Brad Fitzgibbon – three-star DL from Chicago, Illinois (Marist Excessive)
- Ryan Fitzgerald – three-star walk-on QB from Wilmette, Illinois (Loyola Academy)
- Burke Gautcher – four-star LB from Sycamore, Illinois (Sycamore Excessive)
- Rayce Heitman – walk-on ATH from Williamsburg, Iowa (Williamsburg Excessive)
- Eli Johnson – three-star TE from River Falls, Wisconsin (River Falls Excessive)
- Drew Macpherson – three-star S from Glenview, Illinois (Loyola Academy)
- Nathan McNeil – three star RB from Wesley Chapel, Florida (Wiregrass Ranch Excessive)
- Thomas Meyer – four-star TE from Clear Lake, Iowa (Clear Lake Excessive)
- Terrence Smith – three-star WR from Aurora, Illinois (West Aurora Excessive)
- Jimmy Sullivan – three-star QB from Fort Wayne, Indiana (Carroll Excessive)
- Joey VanWetzinga – three-star DL from Bettendorf, Iowa (Nice Valley Excessive)
- Mason Woods – three-star ATH from Coralville, Iowa (Iowa Metropolis West Excessive)
Eli McKown covers highschool sports activities and wrestling for the Des Moines Register. Contact him at [email protected]. Comply with him on Twitter at @EMcKown23.
