Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz. Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Iowa ties lead to Hawkeyes commitment for elite EDGE recruit

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Apr 7, 2026 6:59 PM ET

Tommy Riordan has a chance to play college football at a few different intriguing schools.

A three-star out of Hinsdale, Illinois, he boasts offers from Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Kansas State, Minnesota, Purdue, Wisconsin, Kent State, Miami (OH), Stanford and Toledo.

Checking in as a 6-foot-4, 240-pound EDGE recruit, Riordan had narrowed down his list to Iowa, Stanford and Wisconsin.

That's two Big Ten powerhouses and a sleeping giant in Stanford, but Riordan ultimately went with the Iowa Hawkeyes.

One would imagine that his older brother, Gene Riordan, played a role in that decision. At the very least, it informed it. The older Riordan was one of the crown jewels of Iowa's 2026 class as a four-star offensive lineman, and he's already enrolled and is a freshman in Iowa City.

Tommy Riordan has visited Iowa City a bunch, certainly as a result of his older brother's recruitment and ultimate decision to join Iowa.

Iowa Football: Hawkeyes Land Commitment From Three-Star Defensive Lineman Tommy Riordan

Riordan is the fourth commitment for the Hawkeyes in the 2027 class since March 28.

Story: https://t.co/bvKkFMD264
— Sean Bock (@SBock247) April 7, 2026

Iowa Hawkeyes land first defensive lineman of 2027 recruiting class

The familiarity there clearly played a role in the Hawkeyes winning this recurring battle over the Badgers and Cardinal.

"The highlights of the visit were definitely getting to sit down with Coach Ferentz and talking about Iowa football," Riordan told 247sports regarding a recent visit to Iowa. "He came to school the other day, and I got to talk with him, Coach [Phil] Parker, and Coach [Seth] Wallace. Talking with Coach Ferentz is always very special. I also got to go over the basic defense with Coach Kelvin Bell. He doesn't recruit for a specific position, but he gave me a breakdown of how their base defense is played. My brother Gene says that he loves Iowa; not only does he love the campus, but he loves the people here. Gene playing here won't be a deciding factor because I want to make the decision on my own but it is good to get an inside scoop."

For Iowa, Riordan is commitment No. 7 in a 2027 class that's shaping up to be pretty good. As it stands, the Hawkeyes have the No. 18-ranked class in the country.

That can and will change, but it represents a hot start for Kirk Ferentz and his staff.

Riordan is ranked as the No. 59 EDGE in the 2027 class, according to 247Sports.

"I’m incredibly blessed for this opportunity and look forward to continuing my academic and athletic career at Iowa," he wrote on social media. "Thank you to Coach Ferentz, Coach Bell, and the rest of the coaching staff for believing in me and trusting me throughout this journey."

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

More must-reads: