IOWA CITY (AP) — Nine instate prospects headlined Iowa’s latest recruiting class, which was announced Wednesday.
Dowling Catholic star quarterback Ryan Boyle is among the Iowans who signed letters of intent with the Hawkeye football team.
Boyle, a native of Newton, threw for 1,934 yards and 18 touchdowns and ran for 1,123 yards in leading the Maroons to the state title last season. He also helped Dowling win the championship in 2013.
Drew Cook, the son of former Hawkeye standout and NFL tight end Marv Cook, will begin his Iowa career as a quarterback but has the frame to transition to tight end if needed.
The Hawkeyes signed northwest Iowa twins Levi and Landan Paulsen, who are both offensive linemen, and defensive end Brady Reiff, the younger brother of former Iowa star Riley Reiff.
IOWA
Top 25 Class: No.
Best in class: James Daniels, C, Warren, Ohio. Daniels, the lone four-star recruit in Iowa's class, is widely considered one of the best center prospects in the country.
Daniels might soon be blocking for his brother LeShun, a running back who could get significant playing time for the Hawkeyes in 2015.
Best of the rest: As a developmental program, it typically takes at least three years to know where Iowa hit and where it missed in any given recruiting cycle. But the Paulsens, Cook and Illinois linebacker Jack Hockaday appear to be the kind of prospects who eventually blossom for the Hawkeyes.
One that got away: Karan Higdon, RB, Sarasota, Fla. A late push by new Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh swayed Higdon toward the Wolverines. Iowa's luck with running backs has been spotty at best since Shonn Green won the Doak Walker Award in 2008, and Higdon's reversal left the Hawkeyes scrambling to land a running back in this class.
Late addition: Iowa didn't have to wait long. The Hawkeyes signed Prattville, Ala., back Eric Graham, who rushed for nearly 2,000 yards and earned all-state honors for Autauga Academy.
Coach Kirk Ferentz said the Hawkeyes offered a scholarship after Graham visited the school last weekend.