FOR SOME, THIS IS A NATIONAL HOLIDAY. It's college football's National Signing Day. Last February, we took a look at which prospects had offers from Iowa (post one, post two). Looking back, you'll see Iowa had a lot of offers out to top rated juniors but the success rate landing them is low. Head Coach Kirk Ferentz spoke openly about the speed of recruiting in today's college football and Iowa followed that up with 16 commitments by the end of summer.
Delano Hill and David Kenney were Iowa's lone four-star commits for time. They have both opted for other Big Ten foes (Michigan and Indiana). Des Moines Lincoln prospect Trevon Young had troubles with the law and he has since lost his offer. Recruiting picked back up after the season and Iowa is close to closing out a 2013 recruiting class of 20 or so prospects.
There's still a couple yet to decide. Jacquille Veii and Jonathan Parker will decide today. Veii is reportedly picking between Iowa, Maryland and Nebraska. Home state Maryland was thought to be the leader but Nebraska is a player despite entering the picture just last week. Parker is a new name that popped up just last week. He made a verbal commitment to Tulsa but will now announce his final decision between Iowa and the Golden Hurricanes.
That's probably it for excitement. Last season a couple of recruits emerged as Signing Day went on. Reid Sealby and George Kittle both faxed their Letter of Intent to Iowa and recruiting sites were scrambling for information as none had previously mentioned either of the two. That's always a possibility today as Iowa can sign up to 25 players. Also, Reggie Spearman tossed aside a Syracuse ball cap in favor of one with a Tigerhawk last night. That was perhaps the peak of Iowa's NSD drama.
What's on tap for today? Hawkeye Football typically updates us fans via their Twitter account as the faxed Letters of Intent arrive. They've already received John Kenny's as he is already on campus preparing for spring football. In the past there has also been an updating blog with bios and vidoes on recruits as Iowa receives the LOI. That, I believe, was a LeVar Woods creation so I'm currently uncertain if that's in the plans this year. If so, we'll certainly have plenty of links to the blog.
Coach Ferentz will meet with the press later this afternoon. He'll discuss all things football with a focus on this recruiting class. I'm sure he'll address D.J. Hernandez's hiring and let us know how great a guy Erik Campbell is. As always, we'll update throughout the day, so, stick around.
JOHN KENNY (Caring is Creepy)
Already with us on campus is #Hawkeye signee #1 - LB John Kenny (Carmel HS, Indianapolis, IN) youtube.com/watch?v=Vz4RQp…
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) February 6, 2013
BRANT GRESSELL (Caring is Creepy)
#Hawkeye signee #2 is in - DT Brant Gressel (Centerville HS, Centerville, OH) youtube.com/watch?v=LZ1R72…
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) February 6, 2013