2026 Iowa QB target Peyton Falzone sees opportunity in Tim Lester’s ‘dynamic’ offensive scheme

IOWA CITY — Peyton Falzone had a chilling first impression of Iowa, literally.

The 2026 quarterback recruit first visited for last year’s regular-season finale against Nebraska, when the game-time temperature was 20 degrees — the second-coldest game in Kinnick Stadium history.

Fortunately for Hawkeye fans, that was literally chilling and not metaphorically chilling as the highly-coveted quarterback seriously considers Iowa (and offensive coordinator Tim Lester’s system) following an official visit to Iowa City last weekend.

“What (Lester) brings to the table is really, really special,” Falzone said in the phone call with The Gazette this week. “He could talk football for days.”

Falzone, who had wide receiver Reece Vander Zee as his host, had plenty of time during the visit to talk with Lester and watch film of the offensive coordinator’s system — a scheme that helped the Hawkeyes go from 15.4 points per game in 2023 to 27.7 in 2024.

“His offense is really dynamic,” Falzone said. “Obviously Iowa has a long tradition of being able to run the ball. However, he is morphing into they’re going to have a really strong rushing attack, like years past, but they’re also able to throw the ball really well.”

That includes using receivers to “go down the field and make plays, which fits right into how I want to play.”

Iowa already has seven commitments in the 2026 recruiting class, which includes San Diego-area quarterback Cash Herrera. The three-star recruit chose Iowa over offers from UCLA, San Diego State and others.

While Iowa has often taken only one scholarship quarterback in a given recruiting class, there will be a need at the position as Mark Gronowski and Brendan Sullivan approach their final year of college eligibility in the fall. Iowa also took two quarterbacks — Jimmy Sullivan on scholarship and Ryan Fitzgerald as a preferred walk-on — in the 2025 recruiting class.

Falzone is “not at all” deterred by Iowa already having a commitment at his position in his recruiting class.

“Whether it’s with an underclassman, a second quarterback in the class, a transfer, an upperclassman — there is always going to be competition,” Falzone said. “And that’s how it should be at the Power Four level. … Competition brings out the best in people, and I’m only going to get better if I’m competing every single day.”

Falzone listed Penn State, Utah, West Virginia, Rutgers, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Alabama and Wake Forest as schools that have been talking with him. As of Tuesday evening, he was still finalizing his plans for this weekend. He plans to take an official visit to Utah on the weekend of April 19.

“I built a really, really good relationship with Coach (Koy) Detmer and Coach (Jason) Beck, the OC there,” Falzone said of Utah. “Their offense is also really dynamic, and they’re a developmental program. I’ve learned a lot about them over the phone. Obviously with them being more of a trip out, I’m excited to get back on campus again and just spend time there.”

Living in Nazareth, Pa. — a borough about 70 miles north of Philadelphia — Falzone “grew up going to the games” at Penn State’s Beaver Stadium.

“But I’m not just going to zero in on one school just because of location,” Falzone said. “Location has never been a factor in my recruitment because I believe I’m going to go to the place that’s going to develop me the best to hopefully play at the next level.”

As for how quickly Falzone could make a commitment, he is “definitely not going to rush into anything.”

“I wouldn’t say I have a set timeline,” Falzone said. “I got to go on these visits and make sure I’m going to make the best decision for myself. Obviously I value my family’s opinion, but I got to make sure I’m doing the best thing for me. And outsiders’ opinions aren’t really going to be involved.”

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com

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