Fourth former Drake Bulldog commits to Iowa basketball
Isaia Howard announced his commitment to Iowa basketball on Thursday, becoming the fourth former Drake Bulldog to follow head coach Ben McCollum to Iowa City as a new member of the Hawkeyes.
Howard arrives with three seasons of eligibility and dons the black and gold after a freshman season at Drake in which he averaged 4.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game. The 6-foot-5, 200 pound guard shot 43.5% from the field, including 31.1% from 3-point range.
Howard played in 30 games and scored in double figures on three occasions, including his career-high 21-point outing against Southern Illinois on March 7 in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament semifinal.
A native of Plattsburg, Mo., Howard was ranked as a three-star signee to Drake in the 2024 class per 247Sports. 247Sports ranked Howard as the nation's No. 67 shooting guard and as the No. 10 player from Missouri.
Howard joins a Hawkeye roster that features a trio of his former Drake teammates in guards Bennett Stirtz and Kael Combs and in forward Cam Manyawu.
Iowa also brings back sophomore forward Cooper Koch, who decided upon a return to Iowa after briefly entering the transfer portal. Koch appeared in 10 games, averaging 4.6 points and 2.1 rebounds per game while shooting 48.4% from the field and 42.9% from 3-point range.
Stirtz was named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year last season after posting averages of 19.2 points, 5.7 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game while shooting 49.8% from the field and 39.5% from 3-point range.
Manyawu averaged 7.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game on 57.8% shooting from the field while starting all 35 games for the Bulldogs last season.
Lastly, Combs played in 31 games last season at Drake, averaging 3.8 points and 2.0 rebounds per game while shooting 51.1% from the field and 80.0% from the free throw line.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Josh on X: @JoshOnREF
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Michigan football an early contender for elite 2027 TE
The post Michigan football an early contender for elite 2027 TE appeared first on ClutchPoints. You know what they say in Ann Arbor: The best players in Michigan go to Michigan. That's why four-star 2027 tight end Anthony Cartwright is such an important target for head coach Sherrone Moore and the Michigan football team. He is one of the top TEs in his class, and he is right in the university's backyard. Advertisement Anthony Cartwright has been to Ann Arbor multiple times to visit the Michigan football team, and he was there recently. The Wolverines are showing a lot of interest, and that is standing out to Cartwright. 'It was great catching back up with everybody on the team and staff,' he said, according to an article from 247Sports. 'I have been there multiple times, so nobody feels like a stranger anymore when I'm there. I got to spend a lot of time with all of the coaches, but most of my time was spent with coach Casula. We spent a lot of time watching film and talking about how I would fit into their scheme. I also got to spend some time with coach Moore and he told me that I am a high priority for the team. It means a lot knowing that because it shows me that their interest level in me is very high and that I could play a big part in the team's success.' If you're an elite TE, you have to like what you have seen from Michigan in the last few years. The offense that the Wolverines run is a TE's dream, and they have produced numerous NFL players at the position in recent years. Colston Loveland was a top-10 pick in April's NFL Draft, for example. 'I love the way that their offense is designed because it is designed for tight ends to be able to make any type of play at any time, especially with coach Casula being the co-offensive coordinator now,' Cartwright added. 'I know he's going to want his tight ends to eat.' Advertisement Anthony Cartwright has a lot of time to pick his college, and the Michigan football team should be a top contender until decision day. Related: Why top 10 QB Matt Ponatoski chose Kentucky Related: Oklahoma football way-too-early bold predictions for 2025 season
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Michigan football steals 4-star EDGE from South Carolina
The post Michigan football steals 4-star EDGE from South Carolina appeared first on ClutchPoints. The recruiting surge continues! The Michigan football team landed yet another impressive commitment on Tuesday as four-star EDGE Julian Walker announced that he will play for head coach Sherrone Moore and the Wolverines. North Carolina and South Carolina were two main competitors here, and it is especially impressive that Michigan beat out the Gamecocks. Walker's father, Jamil Walker, is the assistant football strength and conditioning coach at South Carolina. His son would rather play for Michigan. Advertisement 'BREAKING: Four-Star EDGE Julian Walker has Committed to Michigan, he tells me for @rivals,' Hayes Fawcett said in a post. 'The 6'6 250 EDGE from Columbia, SC chose the Wolverines over North Carolina & South Carolina.' Julian Walker had a message for the college football world upon his commitment to the Michigan football team: 'I'm beyond grateful for the opportunity to be a MICHIGAN MAN,' he said. Walker is a four-star recruit, according to 247Sports. He is the #155 player in the 2026 recruiting class, the #16 EDGE and the #3 player in the state of South Carolina. Walker currently attends Dutch Fork High School in Irmo, SC. The in-state Gamecocks tried their best, but Michigan was the right fit for this elite prospect. Advertisement 'Walker possesses great overall size and length that correlates well to the next level as a 3-4 defensive lineman,' Walker's scouting report reads. 'He has fluid movements to get past the offensive tackle from both inside and outside rushes. Chases the ball with a great motor and can turn and flatten down the line of scrimmage.' Michigan has had some elite pass rushers come through the program in recent years, and Walker is good enough to be one of the next. The sky is the limit for him. 'Plays with reactive quickness and has a counter move,' the scouting report continues. 'Walker has the strength and toughness to be disruptive against the run and make plays as a true 3-down player. Depending on body type and how he develops, Walker could potentially move inside on passing downs.' The 2026 Michigan football recruiting class is shaping up to be a special one. The Wolverines got off to a slow start, but the commitments are now pouring in almost daily. Sherrone Moore and Michigan now have one of the best recruiting classes in the country, and more commitments are coming. Numerous top targets are expected to announce their decisions this week, and the Wolverines are in great position with a lot of them. Related: Auburn football lands ex-5-star in transfer portal after Texas A&M exit Related: Tennessee football bolsters defense with pair of 4-star recruiting wins
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Michigan football wins battle for 4-star WR over Big Ten rival Penn State
The post Michigan football wins battle for 4-star WR over Big Ten rival Penn State appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Michigan football team has struggled to land elite wide receiver talent in recent years, but it landed an elite prospect on Friday. Four-star Travis Johnson announced his college decision on the Fourth of July, and he chose the Wolverines. Johnson was being heavily recruited by Penn State and South Carolina as well, but head coach Sherrone Moore found a way to seal the deal. This is a massive pickup for Michigan. Advertisement 'BREAKING: Four-Star WR Travis Johnson has Committed to Michigan, he tells me for @rivals,' Hayes Fawcett said in a post. 'The 6'4 190 WR from Chesapeake, VA chose the Wolverines over Penn State and South Carolina.' Travis Johnson had a simple message to share upon his commitment to the Michigan football team: 'All Glory to God… Go Blue!' He said. Johnson is a four-star recruit, according to 247Sports. He is the #144 player in the 2026 recruiting class, the #21 WR and the #3 player in the state of Virginia. He is the latest addition to the 2026 Michigan football recruiting class. 'Well-rounded wide receiver with the size, speed and focus to emerge as a trusted option at the Power Four level,' Johnson's scouting report states. 'Height and bounce suggest that he's destined to play on the outside, but is sudden and quick enough to win from an interior alignment with his slick route running. Attacks cushion with good surge off the line and can reach a top gear before changing course with full-tilt cuts. Might not be a true power forward at the catch point, but can play above shoulder pads with his timing and body control.' Advertisement Michigan needs good talent at the WR position, and it is getting it in Johnson. 'Will shed a tackle or two with the ball in his hands and has surprising agility in tight quarters for someone of his stature,' the scouting report continues. 'Missed time as a junior due to injury, but still finished the season with over 1,000 receiving yards before turning heads at the OT7 Finals summer before senior year. Rather narrow in the shoulders for a pass catcher that's verified at over 6-foot-3, but projects as a potential impact player on Saturdays that will work for his quarterbacks. Mature game could have him in the lineup sooner rather than later.' There aren't many teams recruiting as well as Michigan right now. It's looking like Sherrone Moore is going to finish with another top-10 class if everything goes to plan. Related: 5-star Michigan football WR target gets real on potential Bryce Underwood duo Related: Sacramento State tops Ole Miss, North Carolina for four star recruit
