By Hawk Fanatic

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The Iowa football team continues to add to its 2026 recruiting class as Sioux City linebacker Kasen Thomas announced his commitment to Iowa on Monday.

“I’m home,” Thomas posted on social media.

“His commitment came a day after Michigan defensive back Ronnie Hill committed to Iowa.

Thomas and Hill both attended a recruiting event in Iowa City this past weekend.

Thomas, who is listed at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, plays both running back and outside linebacker for Bishop Heelan Catholic High School, but Iowa is reportedly recruiting him as a linebacker.

Thomas spoke to Hawk Fanatic shortly after receiving a scholarship offer from Iowa.

“What makes it special is that they have a great program and have one of the top defenses in the country,” Thomas said of the Hawkeyes’ offer.

Thomas is ranked as a four-star recruit and he picked Iowa over scholarship offers from Iowa State, Nebraska and Arizona among others.

“On film, he is quick to the ball, very athletic, plays the game on his feet and is a playmaker,” veteran recruiting analyst Tom Lemming said of Thomas. “A three-star-plus linebacker.”

Thomas rushed for 1,801 yards and scored 26 rushing touchdowns for Heelan last season while averaging 9.2 yards per carry. He also had 44.5 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks on defense, and he made first-team all-state.

Thomas is the 13th player to commit to Iowa’s 2026 class and the fifth from instate.

2026 Iowa football recruits

name, position, height-weight, hometown

Kasen Thomas, LB, 6-2, 220, Sioux City, Iowa

Ronnie Hill, DB, 6-1, 183, Sterling Heights, Michigan

Carson Nielsen, OL, 6-7, 275, Waterloo, Iowa

Hudson Parliament, OL, 6-4, 285, Brandon, South Dakota

Gene Riordan, OL, 6-5, 275, Hinsdale, Illinois

Colin Whitters, OL, 6-4, 285, Iowa City

Marcello Vitti, ATH, 5-10, 170, Detroit

Owen Linder, OL, 6-5, 250, Chanhassen, Minnesota

Brody Schaffer, WR, 6-0, 190, Winneconne, Wisconsin

Diondre Smith, WR, 5-11, 175, Neptune Beach, Florida

Sawyer Jezierski, DL, 6-4, 275, Minneapolis

Isaiah Oliver, WR, 6-0, 190, Waukee#

Noah Daniel, DB, 6-0, 190, Fort Dodge#

# Committed as a preferred walk-on