A pair of B1G teams are firmly in the mix for one of the best safeties in the 2022 recruiting class.

Saturday afternoon, 4-star safety and Top 75 overall talent Xavier Nwankpa revealed the Top 7 schools he’s considering. Two B1G programs — Iowa and Ohio State — are still on the table. He’s also interested in Arizona State, Clemson, LSU, Notre Dame and Texas A&M.

Nwankpa is a 6-foot-2, 190-pound safety out of Altoona, Iowa and is ranked as the No. 1 prospect from the state. He would be a huge addition for head coach Kirk Ferentz and the rest of the Hawkeyes staff. Ohio State has had a knack for plucking some of the best talent out of other Midwest states, though.

Per 247Sports, Nwankpa is the No. 71 overall prospect in the 2022 class and ranks as the No. 5 safety. He’s posted an incredible stat line over the last three seasons at the high school level, totaling 114 tackles, 12 interceptions and 3 pick-sixes in his career.

During the 2020 season, Nwankpa was credited with 792 all-purpose yards and scored 10 total touchdowns. He had 41 tackles and 6 interceptions as a junior.

From 247Sports national recruiting analyst Allen Trieu:

Great height length and has added good weight to his frame through his high school career. As a junior, he was excellent on defense, offense and special teams. Not afraid to deliver big hits and can also come down and blitz. But then can play man to man even out on the corner or go into the deep part of the secondary. Long arms and ball skills make him able to challenge any receiver or tight end on contested balls. Shows smooth change of direction and has good acceleration.

Ohio State’s recruiting class currently sits atop the B1G and ranks No. 3 nationally. The Buckeyes have pledges from 10 recruits, all of which have a 4- or 5-star rating.

Iowa’s 2022 class is further behind, coming in at No. 51 nationally and No. 10 in the B1G. Only two players are committed to the Hawkeyes’ 2022 class, with one 4-star verbal pledge.