Iowa football assistant coaches comment on Hawkeyes’ 2025 signees

IOWA CITY — Iowa football has officially signed 17 recruits in its 2025 class — 15 on scholarship and two preferred walk-ons — in the early signing period.

That includes the late addition of O’Lantae Dean, a three-star defensive back from the state of Florida who also had offers from Louisville, Iowa State, Ole Miss and others.

Ahead of head coach Kirk Ferentz and chief of staff/general manager Tyler Barnes’ Wednesday afternoon news conference, Iowa released comments from its position coaches on each of the 17 additions:

Nathan McNeil

Position: RB

Height: 5-11

Weight: 195 pounds

Hometown: Wesley Chapel, Fla.

“A versatile playmaker from the slot or running back position,” running backs coach Ladell Betts said. “Possesses contact balance and short-area quickness!”

Brad Fitzgibbon

Position: DL

Height: 6-4

Weight: 280

Hometown: Chicago

“Defensively we must be strong up front, specifically on the interior,” defensive line coach Kelvin Bell said. “Brad exhibits the physicality, leverage and motor required to play defensive line here. The state of Illinois has produced excellent defensive linemen here at Iowa. Brad has the potential to be the next one.”

Jimmy Sullivan

Position: QB

Height: 6-2

Weight: 180

Hometown: Fort Wayne, Ind.

“Excited to work with Jimmy,” offensive coordinator Tim Lester said. “Jimmy has a live arm and a quick release. He also has enough athleticism to extend plays and use his legs too. He has taken his team to the state championship in Indiana and is also a captain on his team.”

Burke Gautcher

Position: LB

Height: 6-3

Weight: 215

Hometown: Sycamore, Ill.

“A versatile athlete that played quarterback and defensive back in high school, Burke has the explosiveness, violence and speed to be a difference-maker on the defensive side of the football,” linebackers coach and assistant head coach Seth Wallace said. “We expect Burke to add to our history of successful Iowa linebackers from Sycamore High School.”

Mason Woods

Position: Athlete

Height: 6-3

Weight: 210

Hometown: Iowa City

“We are very excited to have Mason join our program,” wide receivers coach Jon Budmayr said. “He is a very dynamic player that will be able to impact our offense in a lot of ways. He knows the tradition here at Iowa and will be a great fit on and off the field!”

“We’re proud to have Mason Woods join the 2025 recruiting class,” tight ends coach Abdul Hodge said. “He brings both talent and legacy to the Iowa football program. He’s a rare athlete with a unique skill set. I’m very excited about his development and contributions to our program.”

Eli Johnson

Position: TE

Height: 6-5

Weight: 225

Hometown: River Falls, Wis.

“Adding Eli Johnson to the Hawkeye football program is a game-changer!” Hodge said. “With his unique combination of size and speed, Eli brings something truly special to the field. Beyond his athletic ability, we’re gaining an outstanding individual and a supportive family. We couldn’t be more excited for the future!”

Carson Cooney

Position: LB

Height: 6-3

Weight: 215

Hometown: Oswego, Ill.

“Hailing from Oswego High School in Illinois, Carson’s violent style of play and a knack for finding the football make him a great addition to the Hawkeye linebacker room,” Wallace said. “Carson has all the physical tools to follow in the long line of dominant Hawkeye linebackers.”

Iose Epenesa

Position: DL

Height: 6-5

Weight: 250

Hometown: Edwardsville, Ill.

“Iose comes from a Hawkeye football family,” Bell said. “He’s been around the program since he was knee-high. Iowa football is important to him, and that means something. His physical abilities have been well documented. I’m excited to be a part of the development of the person as well as the player. The sky is the limit!”

Charles “CJ” Bell

Position: DB

Height: 6-1

Weight: 175

Hometown: Oakdale, Conn.

“An East Coast kid with great speed, toughness and length, C.J. has held a high standard of play against some of the best competition the country has to offer,” defensive coordinator Phil Parker said. “C.J. is a versatile, fluid athlete that will fit right in on the Iowa defense and add to the continued success of Hawkeye football defensive backs.”

Joey VanWetzinga

Position: OL

Height: 6-2

Weight: 260

Hometown: Bettendorf

“Joey is a multisport, highly competitive winner,” offensive line coach George Barnett said. “His wrestling and defensive line background really shows in his style of play. High motor and high-achieving. A great fit for Iowa.”

Thomas Meyer

Position: TE

Height: 6-5

Weight: 220

Hometown: Clear Lake

“We are excited to welcome Thomas Meyer to our 2025 recruiting class!” Hodge said. “Thomas is an incredibly talented and hardworking multisport athlete with tremendous potential. He’s a perfect fit for our program, and his addition makes our tight end room even stronger. We can’t wait to see him thrive as a Hawkeye!”

Drew MacPherson

Position: DB

Height: 6-1

Weight: 200

Hometown: Wilmette, Ill.

“A three-time state champion and invaluable contributor to the Loyola Academy Ramblers, Drew embodies everything it means to be a winner and competitor,” Parker said. “With a family history and background in football, his unique blend of size, speed and length make Drew a great addition to the Iowa football secondary.”

Lucas Allgeyer

Position: OL

Height: 6-6

Weight: 280

Hometown: St. Louis

“Lucas is a big man with great feet,” Barnett said. “He is highly competitive and detailed. Love his defensive line background. A winner.”

O’Lantae Dean

Position: DB

Height: 6-1

Weight: 205

Hometown: Seffner, Fla.

“A true football player, O’Lantae has been a staple in Armwood High School’s success, starring in multiple positions on both sides of the ball during his multiyear varsity career,” Parker said. “He has a unique blend of range, speed and violence to go along with a great frame that will make him a dynamic player for the University of Iowa football secondary.”

Terrence Smith

Position: WR

Height: 6-4

Weight: 190

Hometown: Aurora, Ill.

“We are really excited to add Terrence to our receiver room!” Budmayr said. “He was a key contributor to a very successful season at West Aurora this past fall. He has a great combination of size and speed with big-play capability. He will be a great fit here at Iowa!”

Ryan Fitzgerald (preferred walk-on)

Position: QB

Height: 6-2

Weight: 205

Hometown: Wilmette, Ill.

“We’re excited to get Ryan on campus,” Lester said. “Ryan is super accurate with his arm and athletic enough to hurt you with his legs. That combination has helped Ryan lead his team to three state championships! Ryan is also a captain on his team.”

Rayce Heitman (preferred walk-on)

Position: DB

Height: 6-1

Weight: 185

Hometown: Williamsburg

“Rayce is yet another under-recruited student-athlete from the state of Iowa,” Parker said. “A key piece of Williamsburg’s football success, Rayce’s dynamic football ability and athleticism on both sides of the ball make him an exciting addition to the Hawkeye football secondary. We look forward to Rayce bringing yet another exciting chapter to our storied in-state successes at the University of Iowa.”

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com

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