On the road to Linebacker U
The Iowa football coaches have made their intentions clear in recruiting so far this season: 2010 is the year of the linebacker.
According to Rivals.com, the Hawkeyes have three linebacker commitments in the class of 2010, and Tom Kakert of Hawkeyereport.com thinks the team could still take a few more.
Always wanted to be a Hawkeye
James Morris, a 6-2, 215-pound player from Solon, knew he wanted to be Hawkeye at an early age, committing to the program in December 2007. Morris rushed for 2,163 yards and 33 touchdowns while averaging 9.3 yards per carry for the class 2A state-champion Spartans.
“He was the Gatorade Player of the Year in the state as a junior, which is really kind of unheard of,” Kakert said. “He’s a really good athlete — he wrestled this year and made it to state.”
One factor may have influenced his commitment, Kakert pointed out. Morris’s father, Greg Morris, is the equipment manager for the Iowa football team.
Additional recruits
The second commitment, Austin Gray, a 6-2, 212-pound linebacker from Warren, Mich., chose the Hawkeyes over several BCS conference offers. Kakert said Gray reminded him of current Hawkeye Pat Angerer.
According to Rivals, another linebacker, Jim Poggi, a 6-2, 215-pound prospect from Baltimore, Md., committed to Iowa on April 27. Poggi is the son of his high-school coach, Biff Poggi, who also coached former Hawkeye Brian Ferentz when Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz worked for the Baltimore Ravens.
City High quarterback A.J. Derby is the top in-state player in the class of 2010, and he has offers from powerhouse programs across the country.
“He’s a legit 6-4, 6-5 with good speed and a big-time arm,” Kakert said.
Derby is the brother of junior Hawkeye walk-on tight end Zach Derby and the son of former Hawkeye linebacker John Derby.
The Hawkeyes also signed some impressive in-state talent in their 2009 class.
Conor Boffeli of West Des Moines, Drew Clark of Marion, Matt Murphy of Clinton, and Brett Van Sloten of Decorah are all in-state players who will likely play offensive line for Iowa next season.
Van Sloten, the son of former Iowa State football player Doug Van Sloten, said his first trip to Kinnick was something he will not forget.
“It was a thrill,” he said. “We came out on game day through the tunnel, and all the students were yelling, ‘Come to Iowa.’ It sends chills down your spine knowing that I have the chance to play in front of that many people.”
Adding some speed to the class are in-state players Jordan Cotton of Mount Pleasant, Keenan Davis of Cedar Rapids, and Brandon Wegher of Sioux City.
Seeing stars
Although the Iowa 2009 class was not highly rated by recruiting websites, Rivals national recruiting analyst Jeremy Crabtree said fans need to keep “star ratings” in perspective.
“There’s nothing wrong with a two-star or a three-star, especially three-star players,” he said. “We project them to be multi-year college starters. Also keep in mind that recruiting rankings don’t determine who’s going to win football games; it’s what happens when the kids get there on campus.”
That part starts this summer, when 18 new scholarship athletes arrive in Iowa City with dreams of fall victories in Kinnick.
Current Football Commitments
(According to Rivals.com)
Austin Gray
Position: LB
Hometown: Warren, Mich.
Height: 6-2
Weight: 212 pounds
James Morris
Position: LB
Hometown: Solon
Height: 6-2
Weight: 215 pounds
Jim Poggi
Position: LB
Hometown: Baltimore, Md.
Height: 6-2
Weight: 215 pounds
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