By Rob Howe

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Isaiah Oliver is navigating the recruiting process with the benefit of his father knowing it better than most. Dean Oliver played basketball at the University of Iowa from 1997-2001. He then recruited student-athletes to universities for the past 14 years.

While those relationships were rewarding, they were with other people’s children. The lens has changed for Dean. That’s especially the case when the Olivers are walking around at his alma mater.

“It’s pretty cool,” Isaiah says. “It seems like every time we go up to Iowa City he sees somebody or runs into somebody he knows. I think for him it’s pretty cool. It makes him remember the days when he was there, and it feels like home for him.”

Dean Oliver, a Mason City native, suited up for coaches Tom Davis and Steve Alford at Iowa. He played professionally for 11 seasons before serving as an assistant coach at North Dakota, Illinois State and Wisconsin. After completing his seventh season in Madison last year, he became the head coach at Iowa United Prep.

“The Hawkeyes recruiting Isaiah has been really exciting for both myself and my wife (Sarah),” Dean said. “It’s been great coming back to campus and seeing all the new facilities and changes around the community. Plus, it’s been awesome seeing old friends and teammates whenever we bring Isaiah for a visit. We always love coming back to Iowa City.”

The Olivers returned to campus on Jan.25 for a Hawkeye junior day. Isaiah Oliver, a Waukee (IA) Northwest receiver in the 2026 Class, is being recruited by Iowa, Iowa State, Northwestern, Northern Illinois, North Dakota State, South Dakota State, Northern Iowa, South Dakota, Harvard and others.

Oliver visited Iowa, Iowa State, Missouri and South Dakota State for games in the Fall. He attended an Iowa bowl practice in December before returning to town a few weeks ago.

“The thing I liked most about Iowa junior day were the conversations with coaches. When you come on a game-day visit or to practice, you don’t really get the chance to talk with the coaches because, obviously, they’re working,” he said.

“I also liked the position specific meeting, because I learned more about what the things they look for and what kinds of things they teach.”

Like his father, Isaiah Oliver can handle himself on the basketball court. That athleticism transfers well to the gridiron, where he caught 36 passes for 430 yards and six touchdowns in ’24, and averaged 30.9 yards on seven kick returns.

The Wolves used Oliver on defense at times last season and that could end up being his college path. The Hawkeyes see him as a receiver, which makes sense.

“(The Iowa coaches) like that I’m very explosive and have good ball skills,” he said.

It’ll be an important spring and summer for Isaiah as he looks for his college home.

“I’ll, for sure, come back to Iowa City for a spring practice and camp in the summer. I will also go to camp at Northwestern, Iowa State, and, most likely, NDSU, and possibly others.”