Some of the nation’s most prestigious programs made a pitch to land Nate Jesuroga. 

In the end, though, the top-ranked 120-pounder in the country picked the one right down the road. 

The Cadet World bronze medalist committed Saturday to Iowa, according to HawkCentral.com. Jesuroga chose the Hawkeyes over the likes of Oklahoma State, Penn State, Nebraska, North Carolina and others. 

Jesuroga ascended to the top of the national rankings in April after toppling Cadet World champ Marc-Anthony McGowan, and he’s held the #1 spot ever since. The junior from Southeast Polk High School outside Des Moines — the same program that produced NCAA champ Cory Clark and All-American Alex Meyer for the Hawkeyes — fortified his resume with a brilliant showing this summer in Budapest and turned in an impressive performance last month against Joey Cruz at Who’s #1. 

Jesuroga is currently ranked sixth on the Class of 2023 Big Board. He’s the second high-profile prospect to join Iowa’s 2023 class in the last month. The Hawkeyes also picked up a pledge from #16 Ben Kueter, a projected heavyweight who also plans to play football at Iowa.