Iowa Hawkeyes Vying for Top 2028 OL Prospect with NFL Ties
College football recruiting never sleeps, and the Iowa Hawkeyes are firmly in the mix for one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2028 class. Three-star interior offensive lineman Jace Montgomery has taken multiple visits to Iowa, putting the Hawkeyes in a strong position as they compete against other Power Four programs for his commitment.
Montgomery, who hails from Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, brings a impressive football pedigree to the table. He is the son of former Oklahoma defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery. The elder Montgomery coached the Sooners defensive line in 2013 and 2014 before earning a promotion to co-defensive coordinator. Instead of staying in Norman, he chose to move to the NFL, coaching the Green Bay Packers before landing his current role as the defensive line coach for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Hawkeyes Face Stiff Competition for Montgomery
Iowa is not the only program vying for the younger Montgomery's talents. The standout lineman has taken several visits to Wisconsin, and he was also on the Oklahoma campus this past weekend. Although his father never coached under current Sooners head coach Brent Venables, Oklahoma is hoping their family ties to the program can give them an edge in the 2028 cycle.
For Iowa, landing a prospect with NFL bloodlines and a strong high school foundation would be a massive win. The Hawkeyes have a well-earned reputation for developing offensive linemen into NFL talent, which could be a compelling selling point for the Montgomery family. Competing against Big Ten rival Wisconsin and an Oklahoma program with family history makes this recruitment one to watch for Iowa fans.
The Underdog Spirit of College Recruiting
While Iowa fans watch the Montgomery recruitment closely, the broader college football landscape saw a wild weekend that highlighted the unpredictable nature of the sport. Oklahoma experienced the highs and lows of recruiting firsthand, losing two wide receiver pledges in the same day. Demare Dezeurn and Tra'Von Hall both decommitted from the Sooners, with Dezeurn flipping to Cal and Hall heading to Ole Miss.
Those departures left Oklahoma with only one wide receiver commit in the 2027 cycle, Greydon Howell. It also brought the Sooners' total decommitments for the 2027 class to four, including defensive lineman Zane Rowe and running back Jaxsen Stokes, who both pledged to Cal.
Merit Over Rankings: The Noah Smith Story
Despite the recruiting losses, Oklahoma did add a player this weekend who embodies the kind of hard work and determination that resonates with heartland values. Lawton High School quarterback Noah Smith visited the campus, received an offer, and committed to the Sooners' 2027 class in short order.
Smith is currently an unranked prospect with no other Division I offers. Instead of waiting for a scholarship spot to fall into his lap, Smith earned his place as a preferred walk-on. At 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, he clearly impressed the coaching staff in person. He joins four-star passer Jamison Roberts as the second quarterback in Oklahoma's 2027 class.
In an era where star ratings and NIL deals dominate the headlines, Smith's commitment is a refreshing reminder that performance and grit still matter. Head coach Brent Venables and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle remain focused on Roberts as their top priority at quarterback, but adding a local walk-on like Smith provides essential depth and competition at the position.
What This Means for Iowa's Recruiting Strategy
The chaotic nature of national recruiting underscores why programs like Iowa must stay aggressive and build relationships early. The Hawkeyes' pursuit of Jace Montgomery shows a commitment to identifying talent with strong fundamentals and family values. As the 2028 cycle heats up, Iowa fans should keep a close eye on how this top offensive lineman navigates his options.
For Oklahoma, the 2027 class remains strong despite the weekend departures. Recent additions like running back Jakoby Dixon and defensive back Gabriel Osborne Jr. have kept the class among the nation's best. Rivals currently ranks OU as the third-best class in the country, while 247Sports slots them at number two. Still, the revolving door of commitments proves that nothing is guaranteed until a prospect signs on the dotted line.