Kirk Ferentz's Iowa lands commitment of 4-star WR Terrence Smith to the class of 2025

Iowa kicked off its 2024 season with a dominant 40-0 victory over Illinois State. But the momentum didn’t stop on the field, as the following day, the Hawkeyes landed a major commitment from four-star wide receiver Terrence Smith for the 2025 class.

Smith attends West Aurora High School in Illinois. He chose coach Kirk Ferentz's Iowa over several other programs, including Minnesota, Kent State, Purdue, Akron, Ball State, Central Michigan and Western Michigan, among others.

The 6-foot-3, 185-pound receiver has been a frequent visitor to Iowa City, taking multiple trips to campus this year, including an official visit in June.

Smith is the ideal wideout for Iowa, and in West Aurora's season-opening 53-0 victory against Proviso East on Saturday, he caught one pass for 11 yards, which resulted in a touchdown. He is also a standout basketball player.

Smith is the nation’s No. 172 overall prospect, the No. 26 wide receiver in the 2025 class and the No. 7 recruit from Illinois, according to On3. 247 Sports places him as the nation's No. 96 wide receiver in the class and the No. 14 recruit from Illinois.

Why did Terrence Smith commit to Iowa?

Terrence Smith was a top target for Ferentz and his coaching staff. During his June visit, he spent quality time with the coaching staff, including a one-on-one conversation with Coach Ferentz.

Smith’s host, Iowa wide receiver Jarriett Buie, along with wide receivers coach Jon Budmayr and offensive coordinator Tim Lester, made a lasting impression. He expressed his optimism about the Hawkeyes' future under the new coaching staff.

"The best thing about them is that they have a whole new staff so I'm not going to base the past on my recruitment, but I'm looking towards the future and what they can become," Smith told Hawkeyes Insider.

"If I go there, I can have a chance to play in front of NFL scouts or get a chance to play professionally. I would get that player development that I want."

Iowa's 2025 recruiting class already has 15 players and is ranked No. 34 overall. Smith is the only wide receiver in the class and the sixth Illinois native to commit to the Hawkeyes.

Terrence Smith joins Mason Woods, Iose Epenesa, Brad Fitzgibbon, Carson Cooney, Joey VanWetzinga, Thomas Meyer, Jimmy Sullivan, Burke Gautcher, Eli Johnson, Drew MacPherson, Cameron Herron, Lucas Allgeyer, CJ Bell and Scott Starzyk in Iowa's 2025 class.