The most successful senior class in programme history must be replaced by the Hawkeyes. Junior Hannah Stuelke, senior Sydney Affolter, junior Taylor McCabe, and more talented players from Iowa will be back on the squad next year. Through the NCAA Transfer Portal, they also added Lucy Olsen, a point guard transfer from Villanova. The incoming freshman class will have the chance to participate and contribute.
ESPN ranks the Hawkeyes’ recruiting class as the 13th best in the nation. That places it fourth in the Big Ten, behind Ohio State, Michigan, and USC. Ava Heiden, the No. 42 overall recruit, is the star of Iowa’s class.
“Heiden is a very fundamental post player with a strong base and very good skills,” according to ESPN. She is a versatile player who improves teammates by contributing to the flow of game plans and schemes. She can play both out of the post and on the perimeter. Heiden is incredibly calm, composed, and knowledgeable about the game.”
Iowa is hoping that after rupturing her ACL, Aaliyah Guyton can resume her rehabilitation. When he returns, her ability to score and her tenacity on both ends of the court will be a great asset to the backcourt.
“Aaliyah Guyton is a combo player who has a track record of making baskets, but her skills as a point guard shouldn’t be overlooked. This summer, she shown her ability to improve others and solidified her position in the pick-and-roll. She plays a really good defensive game; she stays in her stance the entire time, keeps the ball in front of her, and understands aid rotation.”
Many questioned if Iowa could keep the group together after Lisa Bluder retired. Jensen insisted that every member of the team from the previous year would be back, calling that Monday “one of the most intense days of my life.” Furthermore, all those who have committed will continue with the programme.
“Though there has been a significant shift, most things have not changed. Thank goodness for the return of our staff and the presence of all of our dedicated players. Everyone remained put. I simply view the fact that everyone was rooting for me and our team on day one as a huge victory.”
“I think it’s great that Lisa agreed to be an advisor role, and I think that’s nice, just the continuity.” I’m not sure what we’ll name that precisely. However, she will continue to exist. She constructed it. She adores it. She will be a really helpful source for me. As we develop and learn, I’m going to need a little help from my staff, and I will definitely make mistakes, but I will have her to sort of lean on.”
Since her arrival, Jensen has emerged as one of the key players in Iowa recruiting. She has had a major role in bringing talented players to Iowa, including 2025 five-star Addison Deal, Megan Gustafson, and Caitlin Clark. Jensen adds that although her approach to recruiting will change, she will still be very active in it.
“I believe I’ll keep recruiting as hard as I always do, but in a new way. I’ll also now rely a little bit more on Abby’s word because Lisa frequently never had the chance to reach that level of calling. We were attempting to determine with whom she would require her time, and I have complete faith in Abby that when she requires my assistance for those twenty minutes of my day, it will be beneficial, and I have no concerns whatsoever.”
Iose Epenesa, a five-star defensive lineman from Edwardsville, Illinois, is Iowa’s top target in the 2025 draft class.
The 32 five-star talents in the 2025 class were revealed by 247Sports on Wednesday. Epenesa, an Iowa heritage recruit, is the third defensive lineman and the class’s top overall prospect overall. He is officially rated as a five-star by 247Sports.
Iose’s father, Eppy, revealed last week that his son will be making five formal visits over the course of the upcoming few weeks. On May 18, the first stop will be at Penn State. After that visit, he will make stops in Missouri on June 1, Iowa on June 8, Utah on June 15, and Miami on June 22.
One of the most potent defensive playmakers in the 2025 class is Epenesa. Iose is the most athletic of the group, according to his brother AJ, a former Hawkeye who currently plays for Buffalo. Epenesa might be selected first overall in the NFL Draft by 247Sports.
Potentially versatile defensive lineman in terms of roles and schemes, possessing exceptional functional athleticism and a strong drive. Elite thrower whose tremendous discus and shot put force shows up as punching and hand violence at the moment of assault. As an edge rusher, flashes an anvil of an inside hand. demonstrates powerful stack-and-shed strength on a regular basis to influence the run game. Plays with the motivating capacity to quickly reorient the pursuit. capable of succeeding with both effort and physical attributes. has occasionally displayed a good secondary rush plan. receives crucial two-way snaps in his role as a tight end that blocks wipeouts. has also snapped for a long time. The ability to move and control one’s body is evident in basketball experience. I need a clearer picture of the precise, verified physical specifications. Outstanding football background and superior technical and athletic attributes, but might that impact long-term ceiling? Seems to be among the best defensive line prospects for the 2025 recruiting class. Projects as a formidable defensive lineman in a top major who might be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.”
The Epenesa family paid two visits to Iowa City this autumn, and while other schools are vying for the younger Epenesa, the Hawkeyes are in a strong position with him.
Eppy had previously told 247Sports, “Of course those coaches over there, we have ties at Iowa.” “Of course Iowa will always have the in with us and we’ll see what happens.”
This spring, Epenesa has been quite active in track and field as well.
As a junior in April 2024, he recorded a 54-7 shot put throw and a 183-0 discus rep, according to MileSplit. threw a 53-5.25 shot put rep in the month prior at an indoor tournament.
