Three-star linebacker Carson Cooney from Oswego, Illinois, has been showing significant interest in Iowa City in recent months following an offer from the Hawkeyes. Over the weekend, Cooney, standing at 6 feet 3 inches and weighing 215 pounds, declared his commitment to Iowa, choosing them over offers from Illinois, Northwestern, Wisconsin, Iowa State, Indiana, and others.
His commitment marks the fourth for Iowa’s 2025 class. Cooney was present at Iowa City for the Hawkeyes’ Junior Day, and after a promising visit, he made his decision to join the team. He joins Burke Gautcher from Sycamore, another linebacker from Illinois, as the two linebacker commitments for Iowa’s 2025 class.
Cooney expressed his excitement about receiving an offer from Iowa, highlighting the significance of the opportunity. He praised Iowa’s defense, noting its strong coaching and disciplined gameplay. Cooney specifically mentioned Jack Campbell as a player he admires and looks up to.
Ranked as the 51st overall linebacker in the 2025 class by 247Sports, Cooney’s commitment adds depth to Iowa’s linebacker roster. His physical attributes and performance at a camp in Illinois earlier demonstrated his potential. With Iowa looking to bolster its linebacker lineup with young talent due to upcoming departures, Cooney’s addition is a strategic move by the coaching staff.
Aside from Cooney and Gautcher, Iowa has also secured commitments from Jimmy Sullivan, a three-star quarterback from Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Joey VanWetzinga, a three-star offensive lineman from Pleasant Valley.
In other news, Iowa recently hosted its Junior Day, attracting several top targets from the 2025 and 2026 classes. The event provided an opportunity for recruits to interact with the coaching staff and learn more about the program.
The impact of Cooney and Gautcher’s commitments extends beyond adding talent to Iowa’s lineup. It underscores the success of Iowa’s recruiting efforts in Illinois, a key focus for the program. Seth Wallace, Iowa’s linebackers coach, has played a pivotal role in securing these commitments, building on the success of the 2024 linebacker class.
Looking ahead, Iowa aims to continue strengthening its linebacker room, particularly with the impending departures of Nick Jackson and Jay Higgins after the 2024 season. Cooney’s commitment positions him as a potential contributor in the future, aligning with Iowa’s strategy to cultivate young talent for sustained success.
