Northern Iowa offered Bacino a scholarship in June. He accepted the Panther opportunity eight days later. It’s a good fit for the North Polk senior, who combines a high-level of production among the prep ranks with a high ceiling to reach for once he arrives in Cedar Falls. A good athlete, Bacino reached the state track meet in the shot put during the spring. His junior highlight video reveals what UNI and other college programs liked. Bacino can dominate the opponent in close quarters and also pick guys off in space. He reached blocks smoothly and follows through until the play is over. Bacino flashes slick footwork, operates with optimal leverage and benefits from active hands. He’ll be a problem for teams on the Comet schedule once again in 2026.

Picking up offers from both Drake in April and Northern Iowa last week, Hunter Bacino Hunter Bacino 6'4" | 315 lbs | OL/DL North Polk | 2027 State IA has begun to get some much-deserved recognition in his home state, along with offers from Lindenwood and Western Illinois.

As we wrote when Bacino was discussed as a prospect worthy of his first Division I offer in February, the 6-foot-4, 315 pound force of a guard is also “A mauler with quick feet that takes the down man completely out of the play in straight-ahead run game and paves the way as a puller on runs to the opposite side of the formation.”

With foot speed that only makes his size that much more of a problem for opposing DLs, Bacino is as intimidating as they come when he gets a head of steam and is looking to take out a defensive end or a linebacker.

A monstrous presence on the North Polk offensive line, Hunter Bacino Hunter Bacino 6'4" | 315 lbs | OL/DL North Polk | 2027 State IA is about as intimidating as they come on the OL in the class of 2027. He may not be a Power 4 recruit like some of the others at the top of the rankings, but boy, he has the size and the mean streak to strike fear in opposing defensive ends on Friday nights.

A mauler with quick feet that takes the down man completely out of the play in straight-ahead run game and paves the way as a puller on runs to the opposite side of the formation, Bacino is unique in his foot speed, plus his ability to latch onto defenders and put them in the dirt. I’d like to see more pass-protection reps, but the run-blocking is some of the best the class of 2027 has to offer.

Bacino played a key role when the Comets soared to 4A state championship in an unbeaten season. They ranked sixth among all Iowa teams with 3,680 rushing yards in 2024 with he and the offensive line paving the way. Bacino houses several interesting highlight videos on his Hudl page, including a playoff package. On it, we witness a well-rounded blocker at left tackle. The first clip shows fluid movements and active hands in pass protection. His run-blocking clips display impressive power and an ability to work in space. Bacino has the skills to be able to shift inside if a college saw him fitting best there.