ESPN shares pick for 'impact' 2026 Iowa football signee

As No. 23 Iowa football's (8-4, 6-3 Big Ten) Dec. 31 ReliaQuest Bowl matchup vs. No. 14 Vanderbilt (10-2, 6-2 SEC) looms, ESPN took a look at the program's future by sharing its pick for who could be an ‘impact’ signee in the Hawkeyes' 2026 class.

In the network's overarching list of who it believes are the most significant "impact" 2026 signees for each Power 4 conference program, Hawkeyes' four-star wide receiver signee Xavier Stinson was chosen based on his deep-threat ability from his top-notch speed and extensive wingspan.

"Stinson, who also competed in basketball and track in high school, ran a 4.48-second 40-yard dash at the Under Armour Orlando camp earlier this year. He combines that blazing speed with a long wingspan and downfield playmaking ability, which translated into 41 catches for 645 yards and six touchdowns across the first 14 games of Stinson's senior season this fall."

The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder was a bit of a late add to the 2026 class, as he flipped his commitment from UCLA to Iowa on Nov. 18. Before his commitment in November, the Hawkeyes had to work hard to fend off several competing programs, including Big Ten foes Illinois and Wisconsin.

ESPN continued its rationale for choosing Stinson by highlighting the potential immediate impact the native of Vero Beach, Florida, could have, given that a significant portion of the Hawkeyes' offensive production will need to be replaced with four wide receivers departing in the offseason. They also cited now-sophomore Reece Vander Zee's immediate impact in 2024 as fuel for that belief.

"Stinson's skill set makes him distinct from the majority of the wide receivers Iowa has brought in the past few cycles. And with four of the Hawkeyes' top five pass catchers in 2025 set to depart, Iowa has a lot of production to account for, even considering the program's run-heavy philosophy. Wide receiver Reece Vander Zee made an immediate mark with the Hawkeyes as a true freshman in 2024. Why can't Stinson do the same in 2026?"

Obviously, time will tell how much of an impact Stinson will have upon his arrival in Iowa City, but ESPN seems to have very high hopes for the future Hawkeye regardless of who he may be receiving the ball from in the fall of 2026.

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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: ESPN shares pick for 'impact' 2026 Iowa football signee