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A standout two‑sport athlete from Iowa has chosen his next stop: Dowling Catholic’s defensive lineman and heavyweight wrestler Brady Hagan announced he will enroll at Southeast Missouri State, a decision that affects both his college trajectory and Dowling’s title defense plans this fall.
Hagan confirmed the commitment on X on July 9, 2026, saying he felt guided in the choice and thanking family, coaches and his school community for their support. He is expected to join the Redhawks program for the upcoming season and begin the transition to Division I football.
Commitment and profile
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Listed at **6‑foot‑2 and 260 pounds**, Hagan plays primarily on the defensive line for Dowling Catholic and also lines up at guard on offense. On the field last season he posted 42 tackles, including six tackles for loss and two sacks, and helped the Maroons secure the Class 5A state championship.
In the title game against Iowa City Liberty he recorded two tackles — one of them for loss — as Dowling closed out a 27‑10 victory.
- Announcement: Posted on X, July 9, 2026
- College: Southeast Missouri State University (Redhawks)
- Size/position: 6‑2, 260 lbs; defensive line / high‑school guard
- 2025 season: 42 tackles, 6 TFL, 2 sacks
- High school wrestling: 38‑5 in 2025; career 111‑24
- Conference (college): Ohio Valley Conference, FCS level
How he fits into Dowling’s returning core
Dowling returns a strong defensive nucleus that will feature Hagan alongside seniors Carlos Blount Jr. and Jeremiah Roberson and juniors Dylan Ducharme and Jimmy Howard. The group helped produce 73 team tackles for loss and 33 quarterback sacks last season, underpinning the Maroons’ run to the state crown.
Offensively, the Maroons will lean on familiar faces as well: Ethan La Cava is set to take over at quarterback, while Grayson Pennington and Henry Smid are among those vying to replace last year’s 1,700‑yard rusher. Top receivers Sam Drexler and Jeffrey Roberts have moved on to collegiate programs, but Beau Williams returns after a big performance in the title game.
Wrestling background strengthens the projection
Hagan is also one of the top heavyweight wrestlers in Iowa. He advanced to the state final this past winter, finishing the season 38‑5 and entering his final high‑school campaign with a 111‑24 record. Several of those losses came against a four‑time state champion and a top college recruit — a level of competition that scouts often view as valuable crossover experience for linemen.
The combination of football and wrestling experience points to traits coaches prize at the next level: leverage, hand placement and sustained physicality through contact.
What this means for Southeast Missouri State
Southeast Missouri State competes in the Ohio Valley Conference at the FCS level and is coached by Tom Matukewicz. The Redhawks finished 4‑8 last season and will be looking to add young depth along the line; Hagan’s size and multi‑sport résumé give him a realistic chance to contribute early in the program’s front‑seven rotation.
For Dowling, losing a two‑way starter is part of the cycle for a program that reloads often. For Hagan, the move represents a step into Division I football where his development will be measured against stiffer competition and a different training environment.
Coaches on both sides will now adjust plans: SEMO with a new incoming prospect to develop on their defensive front, and Dowling preparing to fill minutes from a player who played a role in a state title run.
While the long‑term impact will depend on how quickly Hagan adapts to college strength and scheme, the commitment is one of the more notable local recruiting moves of the summer — an example of how standout high‑school athletes who compete in multiple sports continue to attract opportunities at the next level.
