The numbers fluctuate with fluid NFL rosters, but Iowa Football ranks among the country’s top programs at producing next-level talent. Most high school recruits believe they can reach the sport’s top league through strong development. It’s a main pathway to involvement with top prospects.

That’s the case with talented 2027 Kansas Athlete Cooper Ohnmacht.

“My favorite thing about the Iowa program is how they have consistently produced great players to come out of the Big Ten and have successful careers in the NFL,” he said.

That reputation could prove important in pursuing a prospect with a lot of excellent options, including the two in-state Power 4 programs. He is scheduled to officially visit Kansas (June 5-7) and Kansas State (June 19-21).

Ohnmacht (6-0 185) unofficially visited Wisconsin last Saturday. He’s expected to be at Vanderbilt today and Penn State on Saturday. An Iowa stop has been set for April 23.

“I would like to just get a feel for where I would be spending the next chapter of my life and make sure I fit in with the culture they have established,” he said about visiting the Hawkeyes.

Iowa joined a collection of schools offering the Great Bend (KS) High standout this year when it did so on Jan. 29. Vanderbilt, Louisville, Virginia Tech and Iowa State were some of the others.

“I found out Iowa offered me after coach (Chris) Polizzi said that I had a full scholarship to play there. He said that he loved my versatility as a football player and believed that I could really fit in there,” Ohnmacht said.

“The Hawkeyes are definitely around my Top 5 despite having never visited.”

Opinions vary on what position he’ll play in college. Receiver and defensive back appear to be the top considerations. A talented athlete, he reports a 38.5-inch vertical jump, a 4.5-second 40-yard dash, and 22 feet, 10.5 inches in the long jump.

For an 11-1 team in 2025, Ohnmacht earned first-team all-state recognition after shining in all three phases. The junior recorded 56.9 tackles (2.0 TFL) and intercepted five passes, two of which were returned for touchdowns. Among more than 1,200 all-purpose yards were 755 yards and eight scores on 52 receptions. He returned a kick and a punt for TDs.

Ohnmacht would like to find his college home sooner rather than later so he can focus on chasing a state championship in his senior season. He’s not going to rush the recruiting process, however.

“Going to hopefully decide just after spring practices if I’m 110 percent confident, but, if not, sometime around (official visits). The main factors are my relationships with the coaching staff and how they could develop me into a successful NFL DB,” he said.

Academics also will play an important role in his choice.

“I would like to study Kinesiology and use it to be able to relate and help kids who have gone through similar experiences and injuries I’ve had as an athlete,” Ohnmacht said.