CARING IS CREEPY 2015: HAVE A SEAT, JERMINIC SMITH

After a long break between commitments, Iowa's typical November recruiting blitz is officially on. Just days after Florida running back Karan Higdon committed to Iowa, the Hawkeyes received the verbal commitment of wide receiver Jerminic Smith out of Garland, Tex. Iowa beat out TCU, Texas Tech, Minnesota, Iowa State, North Texas, and SMU for Smith's commitment, if Rivals is to be trusted. Scout's Rob Howe quoted Smith's high school coach as saying TCU and Iowa State have "shown significant interest" but did not mention an actual offer. Smith received a three-star grade from 247 Sports and two stars from Rivals; Scout has not graded him at this time.

The 6'1, 175-lb Smith is the third receiver in Iowa's 2015 crop, joining Adrian Falconer and Emmanuel Ogwo. All three incoming wideouts have the same characteristics: Height around 6'1, weight around 180 pounds, and speed to burn. While Smith has been a significant contributor for his high school program since his sophomore season (63 catches, 1182 yards and 17 touchdowns in his first two years), his production has exploded as a senior: 61 catches, 1100 yards and 10 scores with games still to play. There is no question that he has the athletic ability to eventually play for Iowa, as evidenced by Bobby Kennedy's apparent interest.

There is, however, a serious question of whether he is actually committed to Iowa. Smith apparently told Hawkeye Report that he is "still open for other offers and visits," which sounds an awful lot like being uncommitted. Given the questions of whether TCU had actually offered a scholarship, coupled with some apparent interest from the likes of Baylor and Oklahoma, Smith might be using Iowa's open offer as a way of pushing the issue with other suitors who are both closer and more receiver-oriented.

If he stays with Iowa, he would likely be the final receiver recruit in the Hawkeyes' 2015 class. Iowa now has 17 players in its haul for this coming February, highlighted by Higdon and a trio of borderline four-star linemen. Iowa's class has progressed largely as planned: In-state linemen early, a score in the early quarterback derby for the first time in nearly a decade, and skill position talent from outside the area late. The Hawkeyes still need some help on the defensive line and in the secondary, but is otherwise fairly well-stocked with three months left to go.