Iowa Football ’24 Walk-On Roundup
Getting to Know Hawkeyes' PWO Class
Iowa Football boasts a long history of successful walk-on stories. Dallas Clark, Sean Considine, Kevin Kasper and Matt Tobin are among a group of Hawkeyes that began college paying their way before reaching the NFL.
Members of Iowa’s 2024 Class are striving to follow the same path. It’s a strong collection of talent, some of whom turned down scholarships to take a shot at the Power 5.
Here’s a look at the preferred walk-ons:
ETHAN AGHAKHAN
High School: Lincolnshire (IL) Stevenson
Position: DL
Height, Weight: 6-2, 245
Scholarship Offers: South Dakota State, Fordham, Western Illinois, Indiana State, St. Thomas.
The Numbers: N/A
Fun Fact: Aghakhan finished ninth in the discus (155-3) and 21st in the shot put (46-7 3/4) at the ’23 Illinois state high school track meet in the large-school division.
Watch: Senior Season Highlights
Quotable: “I was fortunate enough to have received offers that were impressive. However, since my first game-day visit as a sophomore, I knew Iowa was the place for me. Having this opportunity is a dream come true.”
TRENT CAKERICE
High School: Grundy Center
Position: DL
Height, Weight: 6-5, 245
Scholarship Offers: Wayne State
The Numbers: 56.5 tackles (31 solo, 16.5 TFL), 7.0 sacks.
Fun Fact: Cakerice wrestled his way to a seventh-place finish at last month’s state wrestling tournament. He also competed in the discus at last year’s state track meet.
Watch: Senior Season Highlights
Quotable: “A trait that I have that makes me a great fit for the (Iowa) program is hard work. This is something that Iowa’s culture lives off of and will definitely help me make a difference.”
GRAHAM EBEN
High School: Central Lyon/George-Little Rock
Position: Defensive Back
Height, Weight: 6-1.5, 190
Scholarship Offers: South Dakota State, Eastern Michigan, North Dakota State, Northern Iowa, South Dakota, Lindenwood.
The Numbers: Three interceptions, 27 solo tackles, 1,903 total yards and 34 TDs in ’24.
Watch: Senior Season Highlights
Fun Fact: Eben played for his father, Curtis Eben, who played college football for Sioux Falls when current Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer was on the staff there.
Quotable: “It’s an investment in myself. It’s what was best for me and what God wanted for me. If I stay consistent, I think I can go down there and make it happen. It’s in my control to see what happens and make the most of the opportunity.”
KYLER GERARDY
High School: North Scott
Position: S
Height, Weight: 6-1, 190
Scholarship Offers: North Dakota State, Northern Iowa
The Numbers: 2,223 total yards, 27 TDs; 15.5 tackles, 1 INT
Fun Fact: Gerardy verbally committed to a scholarship offer from one of the top FCS programs in North Dakota State before accepting Iowa’s walk opportunity. UNI also offered him a full ride.
Watch: Junior Season Highlights
Quotable: “After getting a walk-on opportunity from my dream school, I knew I had to take it.”
GRANT GLAUSSER
High School: Epworth (IA) Western Dubuque
Position: Running Back
Height, Weight: 5-11, 205
Scholarship Offers: Minnesota State Mankato
The Numbers: 3,201 total yards, 37 touchdowns in ’24.
Fun Fact: Glausser’s 263 yards during November’s state championship game broke the Class 4A record set by former Hawkeye Tavian Banks by 13 yards and his 2,909 on the ground led everyone in Iowa for ’23.
Watch: State Championship Highlights
Quotable: “When the opportunity to play at the highest level and be closer to home was available, I chose Iowa to prove to myself that I can play with the best collegiate athletes.”
MASON KNIPP
High School: Waterloo Columbus Catholic
Position: OL
Height, Weight: 6-3, 260
Scholarship Offers: Northern Iowa
The Numbers: 78.0 tackles (57 solo, 36.5 TFL), 11.0 sacks
Fun Fact: Knipp won the Class 1A 285-pound state wrestling title last month, topping West Branch’s Logan Wright, 5-2, in the championship match. He also won it all in ’23.
Watch: Senior Season Highlights
Quotable: N/A
DREW LARSON
High School: Iowa City High
Position: S
Height, Weight: 6-2, 190
Scholarship Offers: N/A
The Numbers: INT, 5 TDs.
Fun Fact: Larson’s maternal grandfather, Dave Triplett, played football for the Hawkeyes. Triplett’s grandfather, Orle Triplett, competed in football at Iowa.
Watch: Senior Season Highlights
Quotable: “I didn’t really consider any other colleges. Since I was a kid, I’ve only ever thought about going to Iowa to play football. So, as soon as I had the chance to do so, I took that offer.”
COLE MARSH
High School: Waverly-Shell Rock
Position: TE
Height, Weight: 6-6, 210
Scholarship Offers: UNI, D-II programs
The Numbers: 19 catches, 320 yards (16.8 YPC), 8 TDs
Fun Fact: Marsh ranked second in points, rebounds and assists for a Go-Hawk basketball team that reached the Class 3A state championship game this winter.
Watch: Junior Season Highlights
Quotable: “I chose to walk on at the University of Iowa because I made great relationships with the staff and players over the years. I felt like Iowa is the best place I can develop as a player and a person.”
APOLLO PAYNE
High School: Cedar Rapids Prairie
Position: WR
Height, Weight: 6-3, 185
Scholarship Offers: St. Thomas, Sioux Falls, Upper Iowa, Grand View, Mankato
The Numbers: 46 receptions for 838 yards (18.2 YPR) and 8 TDs
Watch: Senior Season Highlights
Quotable: “I felt that Iowa was the best option for me because of the home feeling I had being there. I had made multiple visits, and every time I went it just got better.”
DEVAN VAN NESS
High School: Barrington (IL)
Position: LB
Height, Weight: 6-0, 211
Scholarship Offers: Butler, Mankato
The Numbers: 78.0 tackles (64 solo, 30 TFL), 16.0 sacks, 30 QBH
Fun Fact: Younger brother of former Hawkeye defensive lineman and ’23 first-round NFL Draft pick, Lukas Van Ness.
Watch: Senior Season Highlights
Quotable: “It was an easy decision. I felt confident Iowa would develop me to the fullest, on and off the field, and give me the best chance at achieving my ultimate goal, the NFL. I’m super excited to be a part of the Hawkeye defense and looking forward to winning many games.”
TRIPP WOODY
High School: Charlotte (NC) Christian
Position: PK
Height, Weight: 6-0, 185
Scholarship Offers: Rutgers (PWO)
The Numbers: 51 touchbacks on 67 kickoffs, 41-44 PAT, 10-14 FG (50 long)
Fun Fact: Sailer Kicking ranks Woody as the No. 38 kicker in the ’24 recruiting class, while 247Sports has him at 20th
Watch: Senior Season Highlights
Quotable: N/A
DJ VONNAHME
High School: Carroll Kuemper
Position: TE
Height, Weight: 6-4, 205
Scholarship Offers: South Dakota State, South Dakota, Northern Iowa, Colorado State.
The Numbers: 28 receptions, 567 yards (20.3 YPC), 12 TDs
Fun Fact: Vonnahme switched from playing quarterback as a junior to lining up at receiver and tight end as a senior.
Watch: Senior Season Highlights
Quotable: “I’m excited to grow and learn here. And it’s always been a dream of mine to play for Iowa. I didn’t want to turn down the opportunity of a lifetime.”