Maddux Borcherding-Johnson Preparing for Arrival

Iowa Football's 1st Pledge in '23 Class Committed to Hawkeyes 2 Years Ago

Maddux Borcherding-Johnson committed to Iowa Football in early July of 2021. The Hawkeyes first verbal pledge in the recruiting cycle took it upon himself to grow the relationship from there. 

The Norwalk (IA) High defensive tackle attended all but one home game (Nevada) during the last two seasons at Kinnick Stadium. It amounted to 13 contests where he could speak with the staff and his future teammates. 

He never questioned his decision despite being so young when he made it. It's always felt right. 

"I've just been locked in on this decision," he said. "I'm 100 percent. I'm ready to get there." 

Borcherding-Johnson (6-3, 277) will strengthen those relationships even more when he arrives at Iowa next month. He looks forward to learning from position coach Kelvin Bell and a veteran group of defensive linemen. 

"I can't wait to learn from them. It's nice knowing there are experienced players already that are also such great people to help teach me and kind of guide me through when I'm there," he said.

He camped at Iowa, Iowa State and Nebraska during June of '21. The in-state schools offered him a scholarship. Wisconsin and Minnesota invited him to their camps. 

The conversation with Bell steered him to the Hawkeyes. 

"It wasn't like player-coach. He taught me about the recruiting process. Some people like to see how many offers they can get or they try to get publicity and really stack on the suspense. The way he explained the process, it made it a no-brainer," Borcherding-Johnson said. 

He confirmed Iowa's faith in him by standing out during his final two prep seasons. Despite receiving extra attention from opponents, he accumulated 18 tackles for loss and earned elite all-state honors as a senior. He's been preparing for college along the way. 

"I've been focusing on making sure I move well. I haven't worried about putting on weight or anything, I've just been trying to become a great athlete. I feel like that's what they look for," he said. 

If his high school career is any indication, Borcherding-Johnson has displayed that. He went undefeated in winning the Class 3A heavyweight wrestling state title in the winter. He earned a bid in the shot put at this week's state track meet in Des Moines. 

He's become close to and will room with a fellow state wrestling champion, Iowa City High's Ben Kueter, at Iowa this year. Kueter has committed to playing football and wrestling for the Hawkeyes. 

"We've talked about going to (Iowa's Carver-Hawkeye Arena) and scrapping a little bit," Borcherding-Johnson said. "He's just a great guy to talk to. And you see how much ambition he has, and it motivates you and gets you pumped up." 

The '23 Iowa recruiting class has connected as a whole as well. On3 ranks it 39th nationally and No. 6 in the Big Ten. 

"I feel like we're really close. I feel like everyone knows everyone. We all have the same goals. We all want to be great players, great Hawks. It ignites our passion for each other because we have a lot of guys that really want to do great things," Borcherding-Johnson said. 

What are they? 

"We want to be natty champs, Big Ten champs," he said. 

Watch Borcherding-Johnson's senior highlights HERE.