Recruiting mailbag: Will Iowa capitalize on TE success? What is Bowen Born's stock?

So, most of you are familiar with Andy Williams' "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," right?

It's played in almost every mall in America at least 26 times a day around the holidays.

Well here's a little-known fact that I'm definitely not making up: That song actually refers to March Madness. Because that, in fact, is the most wonderful time of the year.

(Don't look this up ... just believe.)

These next few weeks, from high-major conference tournaments to Selection Sunday to the glories of the NCAA Tournament — it's all a blast. I hope you enjoy it as much as I will, especially since we've got first- and second-round games in Des Moines this year.

Enough on the Big Dance. Let's get to the questions you asked this week. If you have a question, feel free to tweet at me (@MatthewBain_), direct message me or email me (mbain@dmreg.com) at any time. Iowa State, Iowa, Northern Iowa, Drake, in-state prospects — anything and everything. 

What will the success of Fant & Hockenson do to recruiting TEs? Does Iowa reach a little higher for national recruits? — @paulmcmorris411

There may not be a better opportunity for Iowa to land elite, national-level tight ends than right now.

It's just simple science: The Hawkeyes have two tight ends who could be drafted in the first round this year — and early in the first round, too. Prospects see that.

In our "What have you done for me lately?" world, Iowa no doubt wants to capitalize on Noah Fant and T.J. Hockenson's success with a gem 2020 class of tight ends.

The Hawkeyes have offers out to six 2020 tight ends right now. The biggest name is Theo Johnson, a four-star prospect out of Ontario, Canada. 247Sports ranks him No. 227 overall in 2020 and second among tight ends.

He is a big fish. In addition to his Iowa offer, Johnson holds offers from Penn State, Michigan, Georgia and LSU, among others. He recently visited Iowa City for a junior day. He just visited Penn State, and he's got a visit this week lined up with Georgia, too.

Iowa also got a March visit from Tampa tight end Jonathan Odom, a three-star prospect who is seeing his recruiting stock rise. He recently tacked on offers from Alabama and Auburn, in addition to his earlier offers from Iowa, Florida and Miami, among others. It's looking like he could become a national recruit, too.

Do you think that (Bowen) Born will be elevated to a 4-star kid when all is said and done? — @jrobs2003_josh

I don't think I'm alone in saying Norwalk 2020 point guard Bowen Born was arguably the most impressive player at last week's state tournament. The 5-foot-11 lefty scored 98 points over the Warriors' three games and nearly led them to a state title over Xavier Foster, Cole Henry and Oskaloosa.

Born is a mid-major prospect right now, with offers from Drake and Northern Iowa. During the tournament, I wrote a column arguing that, while Born is not yet a high-major target, his play all season and especially his eye-opening performances at the Well could elevate him into the high-major discussion entering his final AAU season.

In other words: I'd imagine high-major coaches will take more interest in Born's games this AAU season than they might have the past couple summers. Don't be shocked if coaches from Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa or even Iowa State keep an eye on him. We’ll see what happens.

(The Iowa interest is intriguing, by the way, because of the similarities between Born and Jordan Bohannon are tough to ignore.)

Now, does that mean Born will eventually be classified as a four-star prospect?

No. At least, I very much doubt it. A four-star rating is usually reserved for the top 120-150 prospects in a class. Born isn't at that level right now.

But I've seen a lot of three-star prospects the past few years, and Born is certainly at that level. Bohannon, who was a three-star recruit, wound up as 247Sports' No. 291 prospect in 2016. That 250-350 range feels about right for Born at the moment, too.

Yes, he is undersized. And, because of that, yes, defense against physical guards could be an issue at the next level. That doesn't mean he can't hoop. That doesn't mean he isn't a smart, pure basketball gamer.

St. Mary's point guard Jordan Ford was 6 feet and 150 pounds coming out of high school, and he just led his team to an upset over No. 1 Gonzaga for a berth in the NCAA Tournament. 

You could see the respect between Born and the five-star Foster after last Friday's Class 3A final. Game respects game.

Sites such as 247Sports and Rivals have the difficult job of finding and rating hundreds of kids every recruiting cycle. It's impossible not to miss some kids, and talent evaluators aren't flocking to Iowa to scout recruits. Often, a prospect will get rated once he has committed to a school.

For example: 247Sports didn't evaluate Des Moines North point guard Tyreke Locure and give him three stars until he committed to South Alabama last summer. 

So, the moral of the story? Keep an eye on Born this AAU season.

Just my two cents: I have a hard time seeing a mid-major other than Creighton competing with Drake and UNI. Those two schools did such a good job identifying talent in Born early, and offering early. 

What's the in-state interest on Harouna Sissoko? — @mariovrossi

For those who don't know: Harouna Sissoko is a rim-rocking athlete who paired up with Drake signee Issa Samake at Grand View Christian this year. He is the state's top unsigned senior, and he projects as a mid-major prospect.

It's looking like he'll wind up outside Iowa for college ball. UNI doesn't have any open slots. Drake has at least one opening, but it's not looking at Sissoko right now.

Some of the main schools in the picture are South Dakota, Valparaiso and Evansville, among others. Sissoko is a heck of an athlete. Those at the Well didn't really get to see it, as Class 1A teams tried to slow the tempo against GVC.

But watch him in an open-gym setting, and you'll see what he can do. As one mid-major coach told me: "There aren't many free-throw-line dunkers still available in this class."

Thing is, Sissoko can also shoot at a decent clip from outside — 39.5 percent.

Would (Tyler Cook) staying likely cost Iowa a recruit or nudge a transfer? — @kcsports4me

College coaches are always keeping their eyes open for late recruiting additions in the event of offseason attrition. The Hawkeyes are no different. And, in their case, attrition has been expected in the form of Tyler Cook leaving for the NBA.

If Cook decides to stay for his senior year, Iowa coaches will still have guys on their radar. You just never know when someone will decide to transfer. Christian Williams' story should remind everyone of that.

But, no, Cook remaining in school wouldn't cost Iowa a recruit. Barring the unforeseen, the 2019 signing class would remain at two with Patrick McCaffery and Joe Toussaint.

How are you doing? — @davidscrivner

Ask me after March Madness.

Matthew Bain covers recruiting, Iowa/Iowa State athletics and Drake basketball for the Des Moines Register and USA TODAY Network. Contact him at mbain@dmreg.com and follow him on Twitter @MatthewBain_.