By Hawk Fanatic

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The Iowa football team has landed its first running back recruit since former Hawkeye Jay Norvell was hired to coach the position.

Indianapolis native Keyon Thomas announced his commitment to Iowa on Wednesday.

The 5-foot-11, 205-pound Thomas, who attends Warren Central High School in Indianapolis, rushed for 1,337 yards and 19 rushing touchdowns as a junior last season. He rushed for over 100 yards in seven games and also had 184 receiving yards.

“He is a strong back with real good size, runs with good pad level, brakes tackles easily and has the speed to go the distance,” veteran recruiting analyst Tom Lemming said of Thomas. “Definitely one of the top (running back) prospects in the Midwest.

Ranked as a three-star recruit in the 2027 class, Thomas chose Iowa over Michigan State, Illinois, Cincinnati, and UConn, among others.

He is is the first running back to commit to Iowa’s 2027 class and the 13th player overall to commit to the class.

Norvell, who played defensive back for Iowa from 1982 to 1985, was named the Iowa running backs coach in late March. He returned to his college alma mater after coaching for nearly four decades in college and in the NFL.

He was the head coach for both Nevada and Colorado State.

Norvell was first hired as an offensive analyst for Iowa in February before taking the running backs job.

Iowa’s 2027 recruiting class

name, position, height-weight, hometown

Keyon Thomas, RB, 5-11, 205, Indianapolis

Gavin Stecker, LB, 6-2, 200, Bettendorf

Tommy Riordan, DL, 6-4, 240, Hinsdale, Illinois

Jaxx DeJean, TE, 6-4, 200, Odebolt, Iowa

Jake Thies, DB, 6-0, 185, Oak Park, Illinois

Reilly Newman, OL, 6-6, 265, West Chester, Ohio

Nate Brenneman, OL, 6-7, 250, Rock Valley, Iowa

Jerrence Knoblock, DL, 6-6, 220, Inwood, Iowa

Kyle Van Maanen, LB, 6-3, 220, Pella, Iowa

Brayden Santibanez, QB, 6-3, 205, Collierville, Tennessee

Braylon Bingham, LB, 6-2, 185, Pleasantville, Iowa

Bariyus Allen, DL, 6-5, 300, Dayton, Ohio

Jonathan Harris, DB, 6-2, 175, Chicago