By Hawk Fanatic

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The Iowa football team has added two more players to its 2027 recruiting class, both coming from instate.

Kyler Van Maanen, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound inside linebacker from Pella, announced his commitment to Iowa Tuesday on social media.

His commitment came less than 24 hours after Carroll native Brayton Alford announced that he would be joining the Iowa program as a preferred walk-on.

Iowa was the first Power 4 school to offer Van Maanen a scholarship. He picked Iowa over offers from Northern Iowa, South Dakota and Lindenwood.

Van Maanen helped his Pella High School team reach the Class 4A state championship game this past season where it fell to Cedar Rapids Xavier, 31-6 in the title game.

He finished his junior season with 92.5 tackles, including 23.5 tackles for loss.

Van Maanen is the 10th player to commit to Iowa’s 2027 recruiting class, and the sixth from instate; joining linebackers Gavin Stecker (Bettendorf) and Braylon Bingham (Pleasantville); offensive linemen Nate Brenneman (Rock Valley); defensive lineman Jerrence Knoblock (West Lyon); and tight end Jaxx DeJean (Odebolt), who is the younger brother of former Hawkeye defensive back Cooper DeJean, who now plays for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Iowa also has commitments in its 2027 class from Tennessee quarterback Brayden Santibanez, defensive lineman Tommy Riordan and defensive back Jake Thies, both of whom are from the Chicago suburbs, and offensive lineman Reilly Newman, who is from West Chester, Ohio.

Veteran recruiting analyst Tom Lemming spoke high of Santibanez’s potential at quarterback.

“Good, solid athlete,” Lemming said. “The best quarterback in the Memphis area. Good arm, good all-around athlete who can run a bit, does a good job of sitting in the pocket until his receivers get open.

“But once flushed out, he’s able to hit moving targets.”

Alford, meanwhile, attends Carroll Kuemper High School, which is also where Iowa tight end DJ Vonnahme attended high school.

Vonnahme also started his Hawkeye career as a preferred walk-on, but he is now Iowa’s No. 1  tight end after leading the team in receiving yards and catches last season.

Alford, who is listed at 6-1 and 195-pounds, reportedly turned down scholarship offers from Boise State and Northern Iowa.

As a junior, he recorded 51 receptions for 714 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also had 77.0 tackles (48 solo), 6.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, six interceptions, and four forced fumbles.