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Iowa Football: Grading the Hawkeyes’ 2018 recruiting class

By Quinn Douglas

MADISON, WI - NOVEMBER 11: Head coach Kirk Ferentz of the Iowa Hawkeyes waits with his team prior to a game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI - NOVEMBER 11: Head coach Kirk Ferentz of the Iowa Hawkeyes waits with his team prior to a game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Players                                 Position            Stars

Logan Klemp                                            LB                           3
Dillon Doyle                                              LB                           3
Seth Benson                                             LB                           3
Jayden McDonald                                    LB                           3
Noah Shannon                                         DT                           3
Dayvion Nixon                                          DT                           3
Tyler Linderbaum                                    DT                           3
John Waggoner                                        DE                           4
Terry Roberts                                           DB                           3
D.J. Johnson                                              DB                           3
Dallas Craddieth                                      DB                           4
Julius Brents                                             DB                           4
Kaevon Merriweather                            DB                          3

Overall Class: B+

Iowa’s defense lost a lot of experience following the conclusion of the 2017 season. Linebackers Josey Jewell, Ben Niemann and Bo Bower all graduated and cornerback Josh Jackson declared for the NFL Draft, leaving plenty of holes for Kirk Ferentz’s staff to fill on defense.

Iowa scored a lot of wins in terms of defensive recruiting.

The crown jewel of the class as a whole is likely John Waggoner, a defensive end from in-state West Des Moines, Dowling Catholic. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound end shows a ton of upside with his quickness off the ball and his non-stop motor, which is a trait all coaches love.

The Hawkeyes also hauled in two other four-star recruits on defense in defensive backs Dallas Craddieth and Julius Brents. Craddieth was an early-signing day flip which scored a huge win for Iowa and Brents has been committed since September 2017.

Another notable name is defensive tackle Tyler Linderbaum, who hails from nearby Solon, Iowa. Linderbaum participated in the Army All-American Bowl and stood out to many coaches during the week of practice

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