Iowa supplemented its lightweight depth Saturday when Oklahoma transfer Joey Cruz committed to the Hawkeyes. 

Cruz entered the transfer portal on May 5 — almost a month after Lou Rosselli resigned as the head coach of the Sooners — and considered Maryland, Oregon State, West Virginia and Wisconsin before selecting Iowa. 

“I figured since there was a change (at Oklahoma), it wouldn’t be a problem seeing different schools as well,” Cruz told Flowrestling on Saturday. “Iowa hit me up and we made it happen.

“Their wrestling style, I really feel like it fits my style. “I’ve always been a Hawkeye fan myself since I was little. That’s what I really like — their style.”

Iowa had been in the market for lightweight help after prized recruit Nate Jesuroga opted to quit wrestling and enlist in the Navy. 

The Hawkeyes have 2022 NCAA qualifier Drake Ayala coming back at 125 pounds and NCAA qualifier Brody Teske entering his final season at 133. Cruz is expected to wrestle at 125 during his four remaining seasons of eligibility.

In Cruz, Iowa is getting a California native who won a state title as a senior after placing second and third in two previous trips to the CIF state tournament. He spent part of his senior season ranked #1 nationally at 113 pounds. 

Cruz originally picked Oklahoma over Oklahoma State, Iowa State and Little Rock. He went 2-2 during his redshirt season with the Sooners with all four matches coming at the Michigan State Open, where he sustained an ankle injury that shelved him for more than two months. 

“I felt more comfortable with this (recruiting) decision, especially with the experience of (going through a year in) college this year,” he said. “I know what I needed and I feel like being here will take me to the next level I need to get to.”