IOWA CITY, Iowa – Veteran recruiting analyst Tom Lemming has been evaluating and ranking high school football recruits since the late 1970s, so his opinion is highly credible and carries a lot of weight.

And with that being the case, the Iowa football team’s latest verbal commitment should excite fans

Marcello Vitti, a 2026 defensive back/running back announced his verbal commitment to Iowa Sunday night on X, which was formrly known as Twitter.

COMMITTED!!! Excited to be a Hawkeye!!! #GoHawks @TheIowaHawkeyes @CoachParkerIowa @TylerBarnesIOWA @RhettSmeins @Spauldingiowa @claney101 @DCHS_Football14 @RisingStars6 @ReggieWynns @EliotClough @SBock247 @BlairASanderson @HawkeyeReport @HawkeyesOn247 @AllenTrieu… pic.twitter.com/9u9mXHmlXG

— Marcello Vitti-2026-Athlete (Safety/Nickel/CB/RB) (@Marcello_Vitti) December 2, 2024

The 6-foot, 190-pound Vitti has been invited to play in the US Army All-American Bowl Game after his senior season.

Lemming helps to select the players for that game.

“The most exciting 2026 prospect in Michigan,” Lemming said in a text message. “Explosive, great vision and balance, terrific hands and a nose for he end zone.

“I’ve invited him to be in next year’s US Army Game.”

The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Vitti, who is from Detroit, picked Iowa over reported scholarship offers from Michigan, Penn State, Michigan State, Tennessee, Boston College, Louisville, West Virginia, Kentucky, Pittsburgh and Purdue among others.

He is ranked as a four-star recruit by On3, 247sports and Rivals.