Iowa football’s 2026 recruiting class took a hit on Monday when talented three-star quarterback prospect Cash Herrera decommitted from the Hawkeyes.
With Herrera gone, the 2026 recruiting class is left without a quarterback and with just nine players committed at this time. However, those nine players are extremely talented and could make a difference early on during their tenure in Iowa City.
Iowa’s 2026 recruiting class is currently ranked as the No. 33 class nationally per On3 and as the 53rd-best class in the country by 247Sports. and 33rd best by On3. According to 247Sports, Iowa’s class currently features one four-star pledge and eight three-star prospects.
Meanwhile, Iowa’s class boasts three four-star commits and and six three-star recruits according to On3.
Let’s dive a bit deeper into each member of the 2026 class.
Carson Nielsen
The only four-star across both 247Sports and On3, Carson Nielsen is an offensive tackle from Waterloo, Iowa, who committed to the Hawks on April 22, 2024. He’s ranked as the 21st-best offensive tackle prospect in the class by 247Sports.
Hudson Parliament
Another talented offensive lineman, Hudson Parliament is ranked as the nation’s No. 4 interior offensive lineman per Rivals. Both Rivals and On3 rank Parliament as a four-star commit.
Gene Riordan
Gene Riordan is a three-star prospect on 247Sports and a four-star prospect on On3. Riordan is from Hinsdale, Illinois, and committed to Iowa on April 21, 2025. He’s ranked as the fifth-best interior offensive lineman in the class by On3 and as the top player in Illinois.
Marcello Vitti
A four-star nickel according to Rivals, Marcello Vitti chose the Hawkeyes over offers from Michigan State, Arkansas and Auburn among others.
Owen Linder
A four-star interior offensive lineman via On3, Owen Linder announced his commitment to the Hawkeyes in late January. Linder hails from Chanhassen High School in Minnesota.
Colin Whitters
Colin Whitters keeps the impressive offensive line haul churning in the 2026 class. Out of West High School in Iowa City, Whitters is a consensus three-star commit.
Brody Schaffer
Brody Schaffer is a three-star wide receiver prospect from Winneconne, Wisconsin. According to On3, Schaffer is the nation’s No. 123 wide receiver and the No. 3 player from Wisconsin.
Diondre Smith
Diondre Smith is a three-star wide receiver prospect from Fletcher High School in Neptune Beach, Florida. Smith committed to the Hawks on April 20, 2025. Smith is ranked as the 172nd-best wide receiver prospect per 247Sports.
Sawyer Jezierski
Sawyer Jezierski is a three-star defensive line prospect from Minneapolis. Jezierski is the newest commit to the class and is ranked as the No. 61 defensive lineman per On3.
This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: A look at the Iowa football 2026 commits after QB pulls pledge
Reporting by Zach Hiney, Hawkeyes Wire / Hawkeyes Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
