Dowling star John Waggoner wants to make college decision soon

Chris Cuellar
The Des Moines Register

John Waggoner took this past month to travel and see his top college football choices up close.

The Dowling Catholic defensive end wants to use the next month to make a decision.

The visits taken with his mom or dad — Oregon, Iowa State, LSU, Penn State, Ohio State and Iowa, in that order — are likely leading to a coveted July verbal commitment.

Dowling senior running back Jacob Zachary (No. 23) celebrates with John Waggoner after scoring a touchdown against Iowa City West on Friday, Nov. 18, 2016, during the 2016 Iowa high school Iowa Class 4A football championships at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.

“Once we realized May was for evaluations, we could spend June making the actual visits,” Waggoner said Tuesday night. “And it would be nice to get a decision out of the way before the season, so I can actually focus on school and my senior season.”

Waggoner was the state’s No. 1 prospect for 2018 even before he picked up early offers from Iowa and Iowa State in 2016. He has since become a consensus four-star player and is currently considered the No. 6 defensive end in the country by 247 Sports.

MORE:How Dowling’s John Waggoner became the hottest 2018 recruit in Iowa

His 27 tackles and eight sacks as a junior for the Class 4A champions only scratches the surface on the potential college programs see with his 6-foot-5, 245-pound frame.

“He’s a national-level recruit,” said Josh Helmholdt, Midwest recruiting analyst at Rivals, “because his best days of football are ahead of him. He looks every bit of his listed size. His skill set may not be totally refined yet, but there’s nothing there that isn’t coachable.

“There’s no obvious weaknesses that have to be accounted for."

Waggoner never announced a specific short list for his college considerations, like many other elite prospects from across the nation have done over the last couple classes. But given his trip schedule — and the fact that he gave up AAU basketball with an outstanding Iowa Barnstormers team to spend the offseason meeting football coaches and touring facilities — Waggoner had to pare down his priorities.

Other Power Five offers have come in from Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Kansas State, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and UCLA.

“You find room for a player of his caliber,” Helmholdt said.

Evaluators and fans are eager to find out which schools stand the best chance at receiving a commitment, but Waggoner has yet to tip his hand. The in-state staffs stay optimistic, as Waggoner professes to liking both programs.

The Hawkeyes hosted him for his last visit and have been straightforward in their approach. Defensive end is not a position of need, especially with five-star A.J. Epenesa coming out of the 2017 class, but Iowa can capably pitch player development and a tight-knit team.

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“Some schools will put a show on for you, but Iowa doesn’t do that,” Waggoner said. “They have been honest and welcoming from the beginning.”

Iowa State may seem like a longshot given Waggoner’s offer sheet, but head coach Matt Campbell’s staff extended the rising senior his first scholarship and have remained dogged in their pursuit. Dowling Catholic offensive lineman Zach Ross recently committed to the Cyclones, as well.

Dowling's John Waggoner (94) chases Urbandale quarterback George Reis in a Class 4A game in 2016.

“It’s been over a year since they offered and they’ve stayed in contact the entire time,” Waggoner said. “I’ve really built great relationships with both in-state staffs.”

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But the looming threat of a late offer is hanging over Waggoner’s summertime decision.

He grew up a Notre Dame fan. And other coaches know the Catholic college could disrupt a verbal commitment plan by showing interest soon.

“Notre Dame is the big thing still out there,” Helmholdt said. “With it being so late in the process and the fact that he’s already a household name everywhere else, it might not be an automatic commitment type of thing.

EARLIER:Top prospects in Iowa for 2018

“Iowa wants to keep him in-state and defend its backyard, but it’ll have to fight for him. He’s a talent.”

Waggoner isn’t worried about hypothetical offers with strong, tangible ones on the table right now. But he’s already taken an unofficial visit to South Bend, Ind., and wouldn’t rule out the traditional power ahead of his senior season.

“That was always my childhood dream,” Waggoner said. “If they did come in, I’d have something to think about. But I haven’t thought too much about it. We’ll have to see.”

An FBS recruiting dead period began Monday and runs through July 9. Waggoner plans to spend the next several weeks in Dowling’s offseason football and basketball workouts.

“Each place has really been great and has unique things to offer,” Waggoner said. “It’s going to be a tough decision.”