Iowa Gets Verbal Commitments from Three Top Juniors

On Thursday night, the University of Iowa kicked off its 2025-26 season with a 40-0 shutout of Bellarmine. Sunday night, the Hawkeyes Class of 2027 got a trio of blue-chip additions as #3 Joe Bachmann (Faith Christian Academy, PA), #5 Israel Borge (Westlake, MO), and #7 Paul Kenny (Christian Brothers, NJ) all committed to Tom Brands’ team. Bachmann and Kenny made their commitment together on the BaschAMania podcast, while Borge announced his commitment around the same time.

Bachmann is a two-time Pennsylvania AA state champion. His most recent title came at 127 lbs; however, he’s currently ranked second in the nation at 150 lbs. He is also a two-time U17 World medalist for Puerto Rico. Bachmann was a bronze medalist in 2023 at 48 kg and a silver medalist in 2024 at 55 kg. On the national stage, Bachmann has won a pair of Ironman titles and one championship at the Super 32 and the Beast of the East.

Bachmann selected Iowa after taking a handful of on-campus visits. He went to Cornell, Iowa State, Lehigh, Missouri, Ohio State, and Rutgers.

Kenny actually won a U17 world title in the same 48 kg weight class that Bachmann was in; however, they did not meet at the World Championships. Earlier this year, Kenny lost in the UWW U17 Trials finals at 60 kg. This summer, he was third in Fargo’s Junior freestyle tournament at 126 lbs. Kenny is a two-time New Jersey state placewinner, having finished third as a freshman and winning the state title in 2025. Those accomplishments have led to a #2 ranking at the 126 lb weight class.

Kenny selected Iowa after visiting Nebraska, Rutgers, and Virginia Tech.

Borge was recently a Super 32 runner-up at 132 lbs. This spring, he won an NHSCA Sophomore National title at 138 lbs. To kick off the 2024-25 high school season, Borge finished sixth at the Ironman. Borge won a Missouri state title at 138 lbs. He’s currently ranked fourth in the country at 132 lbs.

Borge also visited Nebraska.

With verbals from these three, Iowa now has five verbal commitments from the Class of 2027. They are joined by #15 Sonny Amato (NJ) and #34 Dawson Younblut (IA). The Hawkeyes certainly have the clubhouse lead in the Class of 2027 recruiting.

To see all of the collegiate commitments from the Class of 2027: Click Here