Much was made of Iowa's recruiting philosophy over the last decade. In fact, a book-length piece outlining their history, situation, and changing landscape as it pertains to the Hawkeyes' recruiting would not be verbosity. 

For the sake of brevity, here are the cliff notes: Iowa was so dominant at one point that the top recruits flocked to them. The coaching staff there was also able to coach up 'average' recruits into national contenders. 

The landscape has since changed. The gap between blue chip prospects and average prospects has widened. Information and scouting of recruits have evolved. The are much more competent coaching staffs nationwide. And recruiting wars have escalated.

All this bubbled over, inducing Iowa to put more emphasis on attacking the right prospects.

Enter Ryan Morningstar, who has done such a good job on the recruiting trail that he was rewarded a three-year contract extension. In the last four years, Morning star has headed up an effort that brought a Top 10 recruiting class each year.

The result has been an Iowa team that, while always a podium contender this decade, is now loaded to shoot for top honors again. And Morningstar aims to keep it that way.

Current Roster

As you can see from Nomad's recent Iowa Depth Chart analysis, the Hawks are young and talented at many weights. True 'needs' are sparse. 

The lightweights are set with Spencer and the transfers in tow. Two more years of Lugo and Max Murin coming off redshirt should spell the 125 through 149 for the foreseeable future. Kaleb Young will move down to form a retooled middle, with Michael Kemerer moving up two weights with Marinelli in between at 165.

Up top you have a long-term questions mark at 184 followed by two young, sure things in uber recruits Jacob Warner and Anthony Cassioppi.

Team Needs

We caught up with Coach Morningstar to get their current recruiting approach from the horse's mouth.

Morningstar said their priorities for this class are 157's and 184's, and it's no secret that Brevin Balmaceda and Abe Assad fit that bill.

Balmaceda (#14) and Assad (#13) are both Top 20 overall recruits at weights of need. 

Iowa should be in pretty good shape with both. And though, on one hand, missing on them might mean getting no one at those target weights this year. There is no one else currently at those weights which match the level and interest. In other words, what would be Iowa's fallback options if they missed on either one?

This is the other hand: they really shouldn't have to worry or get desperate; they have a buffer year (or two for a true blue chipper) where Young and Wilcke will be fine at 57 and 84, respectively.

I have a hunch that if Morningstar lands them, they're happy, and if he doesn't, they wait till 2020 for those weights.

Beyond 2019

As previously stated, the lightweights are set for a few years. But looking forward, Morningstar says there is good lightweight talent within the state. Between that, and the youth on their current roster, the Hawks should be set down low. However there have been rumors of mutual interest between Iowa and Cadet World Team Member Robert Howard. 

While Howard has a long and very preliminary school list. At this time, he says he's listening to a lot of programs and is open to many options. I'm expecting a late (ish) date for him to announce his commitment. 

Surprises and Sleepers

While Iowa doesn't have a robust track record of recruiting in New Jersey, the Howard murmurs aren't a complete surprise. In style and attitude, he seems to be in the mold of former Hawks. 

Morningstar said they would be interested in a 197lber as well. AJ Ferrari who was on the team with Howard at Worlds, fits that bill. 

A 197 target was a surprise to me as Jacob Warner will be a freshman this year and a high school graduate in 2019 or 2020 will overlap. that's certainly interesting. 

Another potential target for the Hawks is John Henrich of Akron, IA. While he doesn't wrestle much nationally but won two state titles in the smallest division and hasn't taken a loss in-season in two years. His title in 2018 came at 160lbs. 

Willie's Picks for the Hawks

I think Morningstar has a great plan, especially if it includes being very selective this year. So my two cents here is very brief. I think Iowa should consider bringing in a 149 within the next two years.

They certainly know what they have in Murin (and Happel and others) better than I do. But while Murin's summer at Junior 65kg was really great, we don't know how he'll perform at 141 this season or at 149 post-Lugo, which seems to be the plan. Perhaps they monitor how well Murin does to start the season, including where he is at size-wise, and then determine if they should shop for a 49.

A good segue here might be if the Hawks miss on Balmaceda. Perhaps they can bring in a 49/57 tweener that they can use for the situation that presents itself. A guy, say, like Jake Luchau or Jake Stiles in 2019. Or Jesse Vasquez in 2020.

Overall, and assuming they land Assad which would give them a future run from 165 through 184 of Patrick Kennedy-Zach Glazier-Abe Assad, the Hawks have the luxury of being very picky and/or shopping for depth.