Iowa Hawkeyes have landed their first verbal commitment for the 2028 recruiting cycle, securing cornerback Dwayle Smith from Baltimore, Maryland. The 5‑foot‑11, 175‑pound prospect chose the Hawkeyes over a slate of Power Four programs that included Auburn, Florida State, Boston College, Maryland, Stanford, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech and Wisconsin.
Smith said the decision was driven by the coaching staff, the program’s culture and a sense of belonging that he felt on campus. ‘I loved the coaches, the culture and the feeling of belonging,’ he explained, emphasizing that those intangible factors tipped the scales.
At St. Frances Academy, Smith has earned a reputation for tight man coverage and hard‑hitting tackling, traits that Iowa’s defensive coordinator believes will translate directly to the Big Ten level. He is being compared to former Hawkeyes standouts T.J. Hall and Deshaun Lee, both of whom carved out successful NFL careers from the same defensive scheme.
A Defensive Boost for the Hawkeyes
Coaches project that Smith will immediately add depth to a secondary that has been a cornerstone of Iowa’s defense for years. His skill set aligns with the aggressive, press‑coverage style that has defined the program’s recent successes, suggesting that the next wave of Hawkeye defenders could mirror the production of past NFL talents.
The pledge also reflects a broader trend of Iowa leveraging its strong regional connections to attract top talent. As the staff continues to build relationships with elite prospects across the country, the Hawkeyes are signaling a forward‑thinking approach that could keep the program among the conversation for elite recruits.