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June continues to heat up in Iowa City, both on the thermometer and on the recruiting trail. The Hawkeyes have already added three members to the class of 2020, a big 2021 offensive lineman in Gennings Dunker and perhaps the biggest transfer acquisition in memory with the return of Oliver Martin to his hometown.
All this has happened in advance of the Hawkeyes’ biggest recruiting weekend of the year. Today, Kirk Ferentz and staff kept the good news rolling, this time adding a talented defensive back from the state of Florida.
1000% COMMITTED ♂️ Please Respect My Decision pic.twitter.com/FQgileP3uD
— ShowTime5️⃣ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@GulleyKeylen) June 18, 2019
Keylen Gulley is a versatile defensive back from Largo, Florida. You’ll recall that’s the same school that just sent the Hawkeyes a second wide receiver in three years when Quavon Matthews committed to Iowa. It’s also where former Hawkeye Marcus Paschal is head coach.
Gulley has a solid frame for a DB at 6’ and about 170 pounds heading into his senior season. He’s spent time at both corner and safety for Largo. That versatility will be an asset at Iowa given the depth Phil Parker has been able to build. It also opens the door for the possibility Gulley could get a look at the new(ish) Star or Cash position when the Hawkeyes play a 4-2-5 look.
In the secondary, Gulley shows a willingness to come up in run support and solid instincts sniffing out plays. He’s got good speed to run with receivers and shows good hands when presented with an opportunity.
Like his teammate Matthews, Gulley traveled to Iowa City last weekend on his own dime in order to be in a position to make this decision ahead of the official visit weekend coming up. And like Matthews, he clearly left feeling quite good about things, committing less than a week later.
Gulley chose Iowa over offers from South Dakota and Southern Miss, as well as growing interest from a number of other schools. While Matthews was a bit overlooked due to an ACL injury, Gulley appears to simply be the classic under the radar Phil Parker defensive back recruit. That’s worked out pretty well in the past.
Overall, Gulley is commitment number 14 in Iowa’s class of 2020. He’s the second from the state of Florida, and as mentioned the second front Largo High. He’s the first of what is likely to be three defensive backs the Hawkeyes take in 2020. Look for Iowa to add one and maybe two more coming out of this weekend’s visits.
Welcome aboard Keylen Gulley!