I've never been to Decorah, Iowa. It's on the list. Decorah is home of one of Iowa's newest and best breweries, Toppling Goliath. If your local watering hole has Pseudo Sue or Golden Nugget on tap, I suggest you partake. If not, be patient. They have bottles coming and will distribute around the state.
Decorah is also home of the latest high school football star to give Iowa his verbal commitment for the 2013 football recruiting class. Josey Jewell, of Decorah High School, is the state title game MVP in 3A and the Gazette's regional player of the year.
Jewell was a jack-of-all-trades at Decorah, as star athletes at smaller schools often are. Per the Gazette,
Jewell led the Vikings in rushing, receiving, scoring, tackles, interceptions, interception yards and punt returns. He completed the only pass he attempted, intercepted a pass and recovered two fumbles. Offensively, defensively or on special teams, Jewell created havoc for opposing teams, including one of his best performances in a 49-21 victory in the state championship against Bishop Heelan.
As we've discussed this past week in INP, Iowa often has recruits that get offers late in the recruiting process. Jewell was considered a preferred walk-on candidate with the possibility of a late offer. He had the opportunity to play at Northern Iowa and receive scholarship money to do so. That same opportunity at Iowa opened up Sunday night and Iowa received commit # 19.
Rivals gives Jewell a two-star rating as a linebacker. At 6'2" and 200 pounds he could potentially start his career at safety or grow into an outside linebacker. He fills a need for Iowa as three senior starting linebackers (James Morris, Christian Kirksey and Anthony Hitchens) will graduate after next season. He joins John Kenny as Iowa's second linebacker commit. Some wondered if Jewell's scholarship means Reggie Spearman, an Illinois verbal and three-star prospect, is committing elsewhere. There's still room for Spearman if he chooses Iowa tomorrow.
Josey Jewell Decorah 3A Football State MVP Player of the year Highlights 2012-2013 (via Paul Harasim)