Iowa Football: Top Recruit A.J. Derby Granted Release as Mass Exodus Continues

The Iowa football program has not had the best luck keeping its players the last few years.

Now top recruit A.J. Derby has announced that he will be leaving the program after a season that saw head coach Kirk Ferentz move him from defense to quarterback.

Said Derby, via HawkCentral.com:

"

“I would like to thank the University of Iowa and football coaches for the opportunity. Unfortunately, I don’t feel this is the best fit for me personally to reach my goals as a student-athlete. I especially wish my brother (Zach) the best of luck in the coming year. I will miss all of my teammates, family and friends who have supported me here. Good luck to everybody. Once a hawk, always a hawk.”

"

The problem is, technically, Derby is no longer a Hawk.

This comes after it was announced last week that star sophomore running back Marcus Coker had been released from his scholarship and would transfer. Coker was suspended days before the team's Insight Bowl appearance.

Iowa said he was suspended for violating the Student Athlete Code of Conduct. Coker was charged with sexual assault stemming from an incident at his residence on Oct. 28.

But Coker wasn't the only running back to transfer. Freshman running back Mika'il McCall left the Iowa program the week before.

In fact, 12 straight Iowa running backs have left the program before their senior seasons.

Ferentz appeared to be grooming Derby to take over under center and succeed junior James Vandenberg at Iowa, but Derby had just six pass attempts all season.

Derby also was suspended two games in 2011 after being arrested in October 2011 for fourth-degree criminal mischief and public intoxication in Iowa City. Derby admitted to punching a school bus window and allegedly had a blood-alcohol concentration of .120.

Derby was a 4-star recruit in 2011 before committing to Iowa. He had offers from Florida, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Kansas State. Every one of these schools with the exception of Florida was a Top 25 team in 2011.

Derby is sure to find a home somewhere.

As for Iowa, home is brimming with dysfunction.