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Iowa football 2023-24 offseason roster tracker: Who’s joining, leaving Hawkeyes
Transfer portal, decisions regarding extra years of eligibility looming in next month
John Steppe
Dec. 7, 2023 8:19 am, Updated: Jan. 8, 2024 11:44 am
IOWA CITY — What happens in December and January will have a big impact on Iowa’s 2024 outlook.
Some players will enter and leave the transfer portal. Others will be making decisions about either whether to enter the NFL Draft or whether to use an extra COVID-19 year of eligibility.
As current and future Iowa football players make these key decisions, The Gazette will update the following lists:
Transfer portal departures
• Former Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras entered the transfer portal on Nov. 13, a source confirmed to The Gazette. Petras was no longer on the Hawkeyes’ roster. Petras committed to Utah State.
• Defensive back Brenden Deasfernandes announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Dec. 3.
• Defensive lineman Anterio Thompson entered the transfer portal on Dec. 4. Thompson committed to Western Michigan.
• Wide receiver Diante Vines entered the transfer portal on Dec. 4.
• Quarterback Joe Labas entered the transfer portal on Dec. 5. Labas committed to Central Michigan.
Transfer portal arrivals
Iowa has not landed any transfer portal players yet. Check back later for updates.
NFL Draft decisions
• Tight end Luke Lachey will return for his senior season instead of declaring for the NFL Draft.
• Defensive back Cooper DeJean has declared for the NFL Draft, forgoing his senior season.
Extra COVID-19 year of eligibility decisions
This is the penultimate senior class where some players have the option of exercising an extra COVID-19 year of eligibility. Check back here as more players decide whether to stick around for a fifth or sixth season.
• Punter Tory Taylor, who already is age 26, will not use his extra COVID-19 year of eligibility as he pursues an NFL career.
• Offensive lineman Nick DeJong will use his extra COVID-19 year of eligibility.
• Linebacker Jay Higgins will use his extra COVID-19 year of eligibility.
• Defensive back Jermari Harris will stay at Iowa for a sixth season of college football.
• Defensive back Sebastian Castro will use his extra COVID-19 year of eligibility.
• Linebacker Nick Jackson will use an NCAA waiver to stay at Iowa for a sixth season of college football.
2024 high school signees
The following high school athletes have signed with Iowa (listed in order of 247Sports ratings):
- TE Gavin Hoffman (Overland Park, Kan.)
- LB Derek Weisskopf (Williamsburg)
- OL Will Nolan (Arlington Heights, Ill.)
- LB Cam Buffington (Winfield)
- OL Cody Fox (Winthrop)
- QB James Resar (Jacksonville, Fla.)
- OL Bodey McCaslin (St. Charles, Ill.)
- RB Brevin Doll (Adel)
- DE Chima Chineke (Plano, Texas)
- TE Michael Burt (Omaha, Neb.)
- OL Josh Janowski (Frankfort, Ill.)
- DE Drew Campbell (Cedar Falls)
- DE Joseph Anderson (St. Louis)
- LB Preston Ries (Monticello)
- RB Xavier Williams (St. John, Ind.)
- WR Reece Vander Zee (Rock Rapids)
- K.J. Parker (Elmhurst, Ill.)
- CB Jaylen Watson (Toledo, Ohio)
- CB Rashad Godfrey (Seffner, Fla.)
- DE Devan Kennedy (Phoenix)
- P Rhys Dakin (Melbourne, Australia)
Offseason roster timeline
Dec. 4 — First transfer portal window opens.
Dec. 20 — Start of the early signing period, when high school recruits can officially sign with their prospective schools.
Jan. 1 — Iowa plays Tennessee in the Citrus Bowl.
Jan. 2 — Final day of the first transfer portal window. Players who either already graduated or are at schools which recently lost a head coach may still enter the portal after the window closes.
Jan. 15 — Deadline for underclassmen to choose whether to pursue the NFL Draft (and forfeit their remaining college eligibility).
Feb. 7 — Start of later signing period for high school recruits.
April 16-30 — Second transfer portal window.
Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com