Elite safety Xavier Nwankpa explains his decision to commit to Iowa

Altoona (Iowa) Southeast Polk safety Xavier Nwankpa became one of the biggest commits in program history when he publicly pledged to Iowa on Wednesday night.

Nwankpa is the No. 34 prospect in the 2022 class, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He ranks as the nation’s No. 2 safety and the No. 1 prospect in Iowa.

And despite heavy pushes from national powers Notre Dame and Ohio State, the 6-foot-2, 200-pounder chose the home-state Hawkeyes.

Each of the three schools offered different things, but it was the whole package Iowa brought that led Nwankpa to his decision.

“The relationships with coaches and the players. Stability on the staff, the defensive backs’ development, and lastly the environment. … It was very tough. I had my top three all lead at one point, and I almost committed to each at a point this year.”

Nwankpa said he went back and forth over the past few months and took official visits to all three. Each of the atmospheres showcased great environments. This weekend, though, was when he felt like he was ready to make his choice. And the Hawkeyes won out.

“It was really just a gut feeling since all three places are great,” Nwankpa said. “My parents also felt like it was a great fit for me.”

He informed Iowa’s coaches on Monday night, and unsurprisingly, they were ecstatic about his decision. Now, with his high school football season over and a commitment behind him, he is looking forward to getting on campus.

“It feels really good to have the weight off of my shoulders,” Xavier Nwankpa added, “and just look directly into my future.”