In-state 4-star WR Landon Blum picks Big Ten foe over Iowa football

As Iowa football continues its search for the next best players to shine under the Kinnick Stadium lights, the program received unfavorable recruiting news on April 4, when four-star, class of 2027 wide receiver Landon Blum committed to Penn State over the Hawkeyes.

The 6-foot-4, 200-pounder from Woodbine, Iowa, is a four-star who ranks as the nation's 202nd overall prospect, as the No. 26 wide receiver, and as the top player in Iowa in the 2027 class, per Rivals' industry ranking.

Last season at Woodbine High School, Blum recorded 24 receiving touchdowns on 60 receptions for 1,049 yards.

BREAKING: Penn State picks up commitment No. 2 on the day, adding four-star WR Landon Blum from Iowa.

Link ➡️ https://t.co/Gtk9UDOkZ4pic.twitter.com/FyZWkQgEN8

— Ryan Snyder (@RyanSnyderOn3) April 4, 2026

Alongside Iowa (June 15, 2025 offer) and Penn State (Jan. 14, 2026 offer), Blum held 18 other scholarship offers throughout his recruitment, including Auburn, Duke, Ole Miss, Iowa State, Kansas State, Miami, and other Big Ten foes like Maryland, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

Unfortunately for the Hawkeyes, Blum's relationship with first-year Penn State head coach Matt Campbell won out. While losing out on Blum certainly stings, Iowa has plenty of other options on the recruiting trail that head coach Kirk Ferentz, offensive coordinator Tim Lester, and the rest of the program's recruiting personnel can now shift their focus to.

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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: In-state 4-star WR Landon Blum picks Big Ten foe over Iowa football