2025 4-star OT Nicolai Brooks commits to Iowa: "It means a lot to stay home"
Nicolai Brooks grew up in Iowa. The 2025 four-star offensive tackle moved to Georgia for a couple of years before returning to Hawkeye State over the summer. Since moving back home, he has visited the University of Iowa three times, and after spending Saturday on campus for the season opener, he knew that is where he wanted to be.
He had Alabama, Florida State, Georgia and Tennessee in his top five, but on Sunday, he gave Iowa the news.
“It is home,” Brooks told On3. “I grew up watching Iowa, I went to a game as a kid and I know about their history. That feeling I had when I was there for the game last weekend was different. The fans knew me, the coaches have shown a lot of love and the culture fit me. I have liked Iowa for a while, but it really hit me last weekend.”
Iowa’s Director of Recruiting Tyler Barnes was first to know. The word spread to George Barnett, Kirk Ferentz and the rest of the staff from there.
Brooks is excited to play nearby
The No. 149 prospect in the 2025 On3 Industry Rankings had over two dozen offers. Numerous schools have been reaching out since Aug. 1, but he has chosen to stay close to home and be near his family.
“It means a lot to stay home. I am 20 minutes from the stadium, so my parents will be at all the games and my family is happy about the decision. I am going to a great school, it will be close to home and those things were keys to my decision.”
The 6-foot-7, 345-pound junior out of Cedar Rapids (Iowa) John F. Kennedy is excited about his future as a Hawkeye. The Hawkeyes have produced some offensive linemen over the years under Ferent and Brooks wants to be next.
“That is my goal, to get to the NFL,” Brooks added. “I love how Coach Barnett coaches. I have been to practices and watched how he pushes his guys. He can make me better. He works his guys, and he already watches my film and relays to me what I can do better.
“I watched Tristan Wirfs and that is my goal. I am excited about playing for Coach Barnett and Coach Farentz is an offensive line guy too. There were some other top schools on my list, and I had a lot to think about, but Iowa can help me get where I want to go.”