Kirk Ferentz wrapped up another recruiting class for Iowa, signing 21 players on Early Signing Day. That group ranks 33rd nationally by the 247 Sports Team Composite, but Ferentz and his staff are happy with the haul.

In a Wednesday teleconference, Ferentz reacted to a mostly drama-free cycle for the Hawkeyes. He went on to outline how Iowa goes about things, but one comment caught some people off guard.

Ferentz claimed a player being at three high schools in three seasons would be a concern and something that “you really need to get answers for.” He did not reference a player by name but many on social media took this as a perceived comment on Nebraska signee Dylan Raiola.

“I don’t mind telling you, it would be a concern for me — not a deal-breaker, but a concern — if any of our coaches came in and started talking about a guy that’s been in three high schools in three years,” said Ferentz. “Those kinds of things are just things you really need to get answers for I think because the best way to predict the future is to understand the past a little bit.”

Raiola’s path to Nebraska was a winding one. He played the 2021 season for Burleson in Texas before moving to Chandler (AZ) for the 2022 season. He was initially bound for a transfer to Phoenix Pinnacle for the 2023 but wound up at Buford (GA) High School for the 2023 season after his family relocated.

Raiola’s also included multiple commitments. He originally announced a pledge to Ohio State in May 2022 but flipped to Georgia a year later in May 2023. The 5-star QB would eventually flip and sign with Matt Rhule’s Huskers in the Early Signing Period.

“Sometimes there are very valid reasons why things happen. I think of an example a couple of years back, but if there’s not a good reason and you see some things that really alert you, chances are they’re not going to work well here,” Ferentz explained about what Iowa looks for in players. “Our goal is to get our guys here, our No. 1 goal is still to get guys to graduate. Got a bunch of guys do it last Saturday… so the guys that end up in the program, they usually graduate and that’s our No. 1 goal. I’m not the smartest guy in the world but I know this: If you don’t stay at Iowa you can’t graduate from Iowa.”

Whether or not Ferentz had Raiola in mind with that comment is up for debate, but fans on social media made the connection. Here is a look at the reaction: