Iowa Hawkeyes and Kirk Ferentz Must Face Harsh Recruiting Reality
Kirk Ferentz and the Iowa Hawkeyes need to come to terms with a tough truth about their recruiting future. Since taking over as head coach in 1999, Ferentz has made Iowa consistently competitive, a testament to his work with the program. However, despite his success, it’s clear that the Hawkeyes have never quite been able to break through as true title contenders—they’ve been solid but never elite.
A perfect example of this came last season, when Iowa finished 8-5 and lost to Missouri in the Music City Bowl. It was a disappointing year, though not entirely unexpected given the team’s quarterback play from Cade McNamara and Brendan Sullivan.
The core issue for Iowa is that they’re likely always going to be in this position: a good, but not great, program. Why? Because they simply can’t compete with the top-tier teams in terms of recruiting.
Currently, Iowa’s 2025 recruiting class ranks 35th nationally, and their 2026 class is sitting at 44th. So far, they’ve only secured four recruits rated as four-star or better in these classes, with one notable five-star defensive end, Iose Epenesa. His commitment was largely influenced by his older brother, A.J., who played for Iowa.
This is a reality Ferentz has to contend with, and it’s becoming more difficult with the rapidly changing landscape of NIL. While the House Settlement that caps each team’s NIL budget could benefit Iowa, the question remains whether the Hawkeyes can truly compete with the likes of Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia, and Michigan when it comes to financial resources.
The harsh truth is that Iowa City is simply not an attractive destination for top-tier recruits, and it’s hard to see that changing anytime soon. Though the Hawkeyes have often been one of the Big Ten’s better teams, the conference’s growing competitiveness due to realignment makes it even more challenging for Iowa to stand out.
Additionally, Ferentz has never been keen on using the transfer portal, although that may be changing as he realizes that building a team from scratch with limited resources is becoming increasingly difficult.
At this point, Iowa’s primary advantage in recruiting lies in securing local talent. The Hawkeyes can consistently land three-star recruits, but that won’t be enough to win major bowl games, let alone contend for a national championship.
It’s a tough pill to swallow, but this is the reality for Iowa football, and it’s becoming clearer with every passing year.
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