Hawkeyes Sign 7 Players for 2026 Class

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Seven players, including five Iowa natives, have signed scholarship agreements to join the University of Iowa baseball program for the 2026 season, Head Coach Rick Heller announced Thursday.

The class features three position players: Garrett Luett (SS, Council Bluffs, Iowa), Gavin DeJesus (SS, Waukee, Iowa) and Luke Manderson (OF/RHP, Jacksonville, Fla.).

In addition to Manderson, Iowa signed four pitchers: Ryan Stedman (RHP, West Des Moines, Iowa), Carson Crider (RHP, Wake Forest, N.C.), Kaleb LaFavor (RHP, Sioux City, Iowa), and Brooks McCarty (LHP, Orange City, Iowa).

“This year’s class is a talented one,” said head coach Rick Heller. “Recruiting Coordinator Marty Sutherland, with the help of Sean Kenny and Mitch Boe have brought in another tremendous class. Their hard work is appreciated. It’s a class that has excellent balance with outstanding pitchers, hitters and defenders in it. In addition to this group’s talent, I love their makeup and competitiveness. Each one of these guys fit perfectly with how we run our program.  We can’t wait to get them on campus and see them in a Hawkeye uniform.”

Garrett Luett
6-3, 215, SS
Council Bluffs, Iowa
Underwood HS (Iowa)
- Hit .603 with 46 runs, 12 doubles, and six home runs adding 25 RBIs and 11 stolen bases
- Ranked No. 3 in Iowa and No. 257 nationally by PBR
- 2025 All-State Team Captain
- 2025 All-State Super Team Selection
- Three-time All-State Honoree
- Four-time All-Conference Selection
- Four-time All-District Selection
- 2024 State Baseball Champion
- Two-time All-State Football Quarterback
- All-Conference in Basketball

Sutherland on Luett:
“Garrett committed to Iowa early on in his HS career and so we’re excited to finally make this official.  Garrett is the most decorated athlete to ever come out of Underwood High School.  He has been a record setting QB on the football team, a standout basketball player and led his baseball team to a state title.  We believe Garrett can make a huge impact on our program both on and off the field.  The sky is the limit for him, and we are excited he is a Hawkeye.”

Gavin De Jesus
5’9, 165, SS
Waukee, Iowa
- Batted .315 with 40 runs, eight doubles, and four triples adding 21 stolen bases and 11 RBIs
- Ranked No. 6 in Iowa and No. 468 nationally by PBR
- 2025 First Team All-State
- 2025 First Team All-Conference
- 2025 First Team All-District
- 2024 Future Games Participant

Sutherland on De Jesus:
“Gavin is a skilled middle infielder with a plus run tool.  He projects as a top of the order type hitter with ability to spray it all over the field.  We are excited at the thought of the pressure Gavin can create offensively while being a high-level defender in the middle infield.  We’re are excited to welcome Gavin to Hawkeye Nation.”

Luke Manderson
6’0, 186, OF/RHP
Jacksonville, Fla.
- Ranked No. 41 in Florida and No. 319 nationally by Perfect Game
- 2024 Future Games Participant
- 2025 PG National Participant
- Perfect Game Preseason All American 

Sutherland on Manderson:
“Luke comes to Iowa City with the ability to impact us both offensively and on the mound.  His skill set offensively reminds us a lot of Sam Petersen.  He has power potential with the ability to defend and steal bases.  On the mound, Luke has been up to 94 with an athletic delivery.  We love Luke’s competitiveness and work ethic.  Hawkeye Nation will love the way Luke plays.”

Ryan Stedman
6’3, 185, RHP
West Des Moines, Iowa
- Posted a 5–1 record with a 1.68 ERA over 33.1 innings, recording 56 strikeouts while allowing just 20 hits
- Held opponents to a .165 batting average
- Ranked No. 2 in Iowa by Perfect Game and PBR and No. 183 nationally by PBR
- 2024 Future Games Participant
- 2025 Area Code Participant
- All-District Honoree
- Four-year Letterwinner

Sutherland on Stedman:
“Ryan’s development has been amazing to watch the last couple years.  His velocity and stuff have continued to improve rapidly.  The fastball has been up to 95 this past fall and the slider has really begun to separate itself.  Having said all of that, he still has lots more in the tank.  We can’t wait to get to work with him.  Hawkeye Nation is going to love watching Ryan toe the rubber at Duane Banks Field.”

Carson Crider
6’0, 180, RHP
Wake Forest, NC
- Three-time All-Conference
- All-Time School Win Leader
- Three-time PG All-American Honorable Mention
- Ranked No. 54 in North Carolina by Perfect Game
- Ranked No. 116 in North Carolina by PBR

Sutherland on Crider:
“Carson is a winner.  Carson set his school record in wins for a career and the type of grit and competitiveness one needs to set such a record is evident in the way he pitches.  He is a big-time strike thrower with the ability to command three pitches.  His leadership and work ethic will make a big impact to our culture and team.  We are excited for Carson to get to Iowa City.”
 
Kaleb LaFavor
6’6, 180, RHP
Sioux City, Iowa
- Posted a 4–1 record with a 0.71 ERA over 49 innings, striking out 69 batters while allowing just 18 hits
- 2025 Conference Player of the Year
- Two-time First Team All-State
- Two-time First Team All-Conference
- 2025 Large School Area Player of the Year
- Ranked No. 14 in Iowa by PBR

Sutherland on LaFavor:
“Kaleb comes to us from an incredible HS program (Heelan Catholic) that produced former Hawkeyes Brant Hogue and Tyler Cropley as well as current Hawkeye Jaren Bleeker.  We’ve been excited to watch Kaleb continue to grow during his time in Sioux City.  Kaleb has a 90mph fastball he pairs with a good slider and changeup.  He has just scratched the surface on the type of pitcher we will see in Iowa City.” We’re happy that Kaleb will be a Hawkeye!”

Brooks McCarty
5’10, 175, LHP
Orange City, Iowa
- Went 6–1 with a 0.50 ERA across 41.2 innings, striking out 74 while allowing just 10 hits
- Ranked No. 11 in Iowa by PBR and Perfect Game
- Three-time First Team All-Conference
- Three-time First Team All-District
- Two-time All-State (First Team in 2025)
- Three-time First Team All-NW Area
- 2025 3A Mr. Iowa Baseball Finalist

Sutherland on McCarty:
“Brooks has always had an advanced feel to pitching.  It was something we were drawn to immediately when watching him. He is a left-handed pitcher with a fastball that gets up to 90 and plus curveball.  We love Brooks’s toughness and his ability to compete.  There is no question Brooks can impact our program early on in his career.  We’re excited Brooks is officially a Hawkeye.”