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With the early signing period well in the past and several head coaching changes affecting the recruiting landscape, ESPN re-ranked its Top 75 team recruiting rankings to account for the chaotic month of December.

Fortunately for Iowa, the Hawkeyes have steered clear of any coaching drama, which begs the question, "Where do the Hawkeyes fit in the re-ranking?"

According to ESPN, Hawkeyes' 2026 class checks in at No. 35 nationally on its Top 75 list.

Iowa has unapologetically built an identity on defense, toughness and dependable offensive line play. So it's no surprise its 2026 class mainly follows suit. In-state SC Next 300 OT Carson Nielsen, at 6-foot-7 and 275 pounds, is a long, athletic tackle with quick feet and solid balance with plenty of room to pack on more strength to a frame that already has elite length. He's still working on maintaining consistent pad level, but his aggression and improving technique stand out on tape.

On defense, LB Julian Manson is another in-state keep who brings a wealth of upside. He is long and smooth in his movements and shows he can be effective in space, but also brings the toughness to set the edge and defend the run. The Hawkeyes pulled LB Billy Weivoda out of one of the top programs in Georgia (Milton High). It's easy to see what attracted the Hawkeyes to him as he is a tough, well-rounded player who is active and productive on special teams, including blocking multiple punts as a junior.

A big late add to this class was QB Tradon Bessinger out of Utah, a productive passer with a quick release who threw for more than 10,000 yards and more than 100 TD passes in his high school career. – Craig Haubert, ESPN

In terms of how the Hawkeyes fared among the Big Ten programs in the re-ranking, Iowa sits behind No. 1 USC, No. 2 Oregon, No. 9 Ohio State, No. 11 Michigan, No. 18 Washington, No. 22 Illinois, No. 28 Indiana, and No. 30 Minnesota.

Though the Hawkeyes are not inside the top 25 classes in the minds of the ESPN writers, this is nothing to complain about, as Iowa has proven time and time again that it can succeed with signing classes that aren't ranked among the Big Ten or nation's elite.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews

This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: ESPN updates Iowa football 2026 recruiting class rankings

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NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

With the early signing period well in the past and several head coaching changes affecting the recruiting landscape, ESPN re-ranked its Top 75 team recruiting rankings to account for the chaotic month of December.

Fortunately for Iowa, the Hawkeyes have steered clear of any coaching drama, which begs the question, "Where do the Hawkeyes fit in the re-ranking?"

According to ESPN, Hawkeyes' 2026 class checks in at No. 35 nationally on its Top 75 list.

Iowa has unapologetically built an identity on defense, toughness and dependable offensive line play. So it's no surprise its 2026 class mainly follows suit. In-state SC Next 300 OT Carson Nielsen, at 6-foot-7 and 275 pounds, is a long, athletic tackle with quick feet and solid balance with plenty of room to pack on more strength to a frame that already has elite length. He's still working on maintaining consistent pad level, but his aggression and improving technique stand out on tape.

On defense, LB Julian Manson is another in-state keep who brings a wealth of upside. He is long and smooth in his movements and shows he can be effective in space, but also brings the toughness to set the edge and defend the run. The Hawkeyes pulled LB Billy Weivoda out of one of the top programs in Georgia (Milton High). It's easy to see what attracted the Hawkeyes to him as he is a tough, well-rounded player who is active and productive on special teams, including blocking multiple punts as a junior.

A big late add to this class was QB Tradon Bessinger out of Utah, a productive passer with a quick release who threw for more than 10,000 yards and more than 100 TD passes in his high school career. – Craig Haubert, ESPN

In terms of how the Hawkeyes fared among the Big Ten programs in the re-ranking, Iowa sits behind No. 1 USC, No. 2 Oregon, No. 9 Ohio State, No. 11 Michigan, No. 18 Washington, No. 22 Illinois, No. 28 Indiana, and No. 30 Minnesota.

Though the Hawkeyes are not inside the top 25 classes in the minds of the ESPN writers, this is nothing to complain about, as Iowa has proven time and time again that it can succeed with signing classes that aren't ranked among the Big Ten or nation's elite.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews

This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: ESPN updates Iowa football 2026 recruiting class rankings

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos