Iowa football turns to state of Michigan for help in transfer portal
IOWA CITY, Iowa – The Iowa football team has turned to the state of Michigan for help in the transfer portal, and more help could be on the way.
Offensive lineman Daijon Parker announced his commitment to Iowa on Sunday, flipping his previous commitment to Virginia.
The 6-foot-5, 285-pound Parker played the last two seasons at Divison II Saginaw State in his home state of Michigan.
Parker entered the transfer portal in November and gained interest from multiple Power Five programs, including Virginia and Washington State.
He then visited Iowa this past week and received a scholarship offer that he has since accepted.
Iowa is also among the finalists to land receiver Isaac TeSlaa, who will announce his commitment on Tuesday.
TeSlaa played this past season for Division II Hillsdale College in Michigan, which is the same school that former Iowa defensive end Zach VanValkenburg attended before tranferring to Iowa in 2019.
Van Valkenburg would go on to be a two-year starter and an All-Big Ten performer at Iowa.
TeSlaa’s stock has blown up since he visited Iowa as he now has multiple Power Five offers from the schools that include Nebraska, Iowa State, Arkansas, Baylor and Colorado.
TeSlaa was named his conference’s offensive player of the year this past season after having 68 catches for 1,325 yards and 13 touchdowns.
He is also listed at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds and reportedly has a 41-inch vertical jump.
TeSlaa is from Hudsonville, Michigan, which is also the hometown of new Iowa tight end commit Hayden Large.
Large has committed to Iowa as a preferred walk-on after having played last season at Dordt College in Iowa.
Iowa is also in the running to land former Stanford offensive lineman Walter Rouse, who recently visited Iowa City.
Rouse started 39 games at left tackle for Stanford, but he entered the portal after David Shaw resigned as the Stanford head coach shortly after the 2022 season.
Rouse is also considering Oklahoma and Nebraska.
Should Rouse pick Iowa, he would help to protect former Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara, who committed to Iowa on Dec. 1st and has since signed a letter of intent.
Former Michigan tight end Erick All also has signed with Iowa.
Iowa returns five starters on the offensive line, but the group struggled with both run and pass blocking this past season.
As a result, the Iowa coaches have turned to the portal for help.
Let’s rock! #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/u18kZk10T9
— Daijon Parker (@_Gym_Rat) January 7, 2023