Iowa City West Linebacker Julian Manson Commits to Iowa Football

Julian "Juju" Manson, a highly regarded football recruit from Iowa City West High School and son of former Iowa quarterback and current Director of Player Development Jason Manson, has committed to play for the University of Iowa starting in 2026. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing around 215-225 pounds, Manson is expected to play linebacker, although he is a versatile athlete with strong offensive and defensive stats, including 867 receiving yards, 13 touchdowns, and 86.5 tackles in 2024. Manson was ranked as Iowa's top prospect for the 2026 class by 247Sports and as a high three-star athlete by Rivals, choosing Iowa over several offers from schools such as Kansas State, Arizona, Minnesota, and Miami (OH). His commitment is part of a larger effort by Iowa to add top in-state talent to their 2026 recruiting class, which has seen several other local players join recently. Analysts praise Manson's athleticism, football IQ, and versatility, highlighting him as one of the best athletes in Iowa's class. His legacy connection and strong performance make him a key addition to Iowa's recruiting class, which currently ranks 31st nationally and 11th in the Big Ten.