Jaylen Watson Makes Call for Hawkeyes

Ohio Defensive Back Joins Iowa's '24 Recruiting Class

Iowa Football enjoyed an inside track on landing 2024 defensive back Jaylen Watson for some time. His uncle played for the program. 

The Hawkeyes had to close the deal, however, during his official visit at the end of the last month. They did just that with the Toledo (OH) Central Catholic defensive back, who announced he was verbally committing to them Saturday night. 

Watson, the nephew of former standout Iowa running back Fred Russell, named his group of finalists as the Hawkeyes, Minnesota, West Virginia, Cincinnati and Maryland on June 14. 

He earned a scholarship offer while camping with the Hawkeyes on June 4. Iowa was the only school he officially visited. He unofficially visited Cincinnati, West Virginia and Minnesota multiple times. 

Watson told HN that he loved every second of being on campus during his Iowa official. 

"Iowa is definitely a place I can see myself at," he said at the time. 

That vision became clearer the last few weeks, leading to Watson (5-11, 175) being verbal pledge No. 19 in the Hawkeye '24 Class. He's the seventh prospect to jump in from the big official visit weekend of June 23. 

Some schools saw him lining up as a receiver. The Hawkeyes liked him in the secondary, where defensive coordinator Phil Parker is leading his recruitment. A former standout at River Rouge (MI) High, Watson shows the speed during his junior highlights that plays on both sides of the ball. 

At the time of publishing, recruiting services ranked him as a receiver. His profile showed him being a three-star prospect on Rivals, 247Sports and On3. 

'24 Iowa Football Verbal Commitments

Cody Fox, OL, Winthrop (IA) East Buchanan

Derek Weisskopf, LB, Williamsburg (IA)

Cam Buffington, LB, Winfield-Mount Union (IA)

Preston Ries, LB, Monticello (IA)

James Resar, QB, Jacksonville (FL) Bishop Kenny

Josh Janowski, OL, Tinley Park (IL) Lincoln-Way East

Drew Campbell, DL, Cedar Falls (IA)

Xavier Williams, RB, St. John (IN) Lake Central

Brevin Doll, RB, Adel (IA) A-D-M

Body McCaslin, OL, Saint Charles (IL) East

William Nolan, OL, Arlington Heights (IL) Hersey

Michael Burt, TE, Omaha (NE) Creighton Prep

Devan Kennedy, DE, Phoenix Brothy College Prep

Reece Vander Zee, WR, Central Lyon/George-Little Rock

Gavin Hoffman, TE, Overland Park (KS) Blue Valley Northwest

KJ Parker, WR, Elmhurt (IL) Immaculate Conception

Joseph Anderson, DL, St. Louis Westminster Academy

Rashad Godfrey Jr., Seffner (FL) Armwood

Jaylen Watson, Toledo (OH) Central Catholic