National Signing Day 2011: A Closer Look At Iowa Hawkeyes' Offensive Recruits

After something of a letdown on the field this season, it is evident that Iowa recruiting hasn't taken a hit.

Certainly, this class is not on a level with OSU or Texas, but the day Iowa consistently recruits head-to-head with those teams will be the same day Iowa is regularly mentioned as a national title contender.

Regardless, Iowa recruits for the types of players that Kirk Ferentz wants. He likes athletes. He likes leaders. He likes aggressive football players that want to spend four-five years in Iowa City.

He has consistently made the point that he doesn't pay too much attention to the recruiting services. In the end, they don't know what kind of players fit Iowa best.

In short, when looking at how highly Iowa values a player, don't look at the stars next to his name; look at when he was offered. If Iowa offered a player before his senior year even started, then that is a player that Iowa was very high on.

For the players' measurables, I used both Scout and Rivals Hawkeye sites, the information on which doesn't always match. Nevertheless, I usually relied on the less "impressive" of the two choices, as players typically inflate their weight, height or 40 time, for obvious reasons.

Also, the majority of high school footage used was from the players' junior years. The reason for this is that most senior year tape is on pay-sites, whereas junior year tape is, by and large, readily available on Youtube.

Finally, I split up the offensive and defensive players based on what the scouting sites felt was their primary position; not where I felt they'd end up.

Check out where the Top 100 recruits are headed.

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Also, be sure to check out Iowa's defensive recruits.

Jacob Rudock: QB, Ft. Lauderdale FL

Measurables: 6'3" 185 pounds. Runs the 40 in 4.8 seconds.

Other Offers: Colorado, Illinois, Memphis, Minnesota, Wisconsin

Commit Date: 06/30/2010

Possible Positions: QB

Chances of Playing in 2011: Five percent. Quarterback and offensive line are the two positions where a young Iowa player is least likely to see immediate playing time.

My Two Cents: Rudock is actually Stanzi-like in that he is a pocket passer, but it would be unfair to call him immobile. Moreover, like Stanzi, his high school highlight reel shows him to have superb touch on his deep throws.

As he is coming from a spread, shotgun offense, it will probably take him a year or two to get comfortable under center. He will compete for the starting quarterback position—most probably with current redshirt freshman A.J. Derby—in 2013.

Marcus Grant: WR, Groton MA

Measurables: 6'2" 190 lbs. Runs the 40 in 4.5 seconds.

Other Offers: Connecticut and Syracuse 

Commit Date: 04/20/2010

Possible Positions: WR and S

Chances of Playing in 2011: 75 percent. Iowa will need to fill out its depth chart at the receiver position. Grant is arguably the most physically ready to play the position. Moreover, he returned kicks in high school, so he could contribute immediately on special teams.

My Two Cents: Grant might be the surprise of this class. Not heavily recruited, he looks the part of a receiver. Even more importantly, he has awareness of the position, although if you watch his video, you will notice he ran more fly, hitch and swing routes than any more sophisticated routes.

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Grant get a lot of work on special teams, and find a place as a fifth or sixth receiver on the depth chart.

Austin Vincent: WR, Desoto TX

Measurables: 6'1" 165 pounds. Runs the 40 in 4.6 seconds

Other Offers: None known.

Commit Date: 06/23/2010

Possible Positions: WR, DB

Chances of Playing in 2011: Two percent

My Two Cents: Vincent looks to be something of a project. Whether he will be a project on the offensive or defensive side of the ball will be in the hands of the coaches. My guess is that he will be a safety, but that is only because he is not known for having great hands.

He missed much of his senior season in high school due to injury. Couple that with his small size, and it is unlikely he will see the field this year, if he gets to Iowa City at all.

The reason for this is he has not yet actually made grades, so it remains to be seen whether he will ever become a Hawkeye.

Austin Blythe: OG, Williamsburg IA

Measurables: 6'3" 275 pounds. Runs the 40 in 5.2 seconds.

Other Offers: Iowa State, Kansas State, Stanford, Wisconsin.

Commit Date: 05/03/2010

Possible Positions: OL, DT

Chances of Playing in 2011: Five percent

My Two Cents: As is well-known, Kirk Ferentz likes to recruit athletes. If the player is an athlete and a competitor, Ferentz feels he has the raw materials he needs.

As is evidenced by Blythe's wrestling video, he is a top-notch athlete.

It remains to be seen whether he will bring that athleticism to the offense or defense. Personally, I think he'll be on the offense, due to his relative lack of speed. Regardless, while he has the size, he is somewhat raw, and will have to work on his technique.

Whichever side of the ball he turns up on, we probably won't see him until at least next season.

Henry Krieger-Coble: TE, Mt. Pleasant IA

Krieger-Coble is on defense

Measurables: 6'4" 220 pounds. Runs the 40 in 4.7 seconds.

Other Offers: Iowa State

Commit Date: 06/22/2010

Possible Positions: TE, DL, LB

Chances of Playing in 2011: 15 percent.

My Two Cents: The first hybrid commit of Iowa's 2011 class. As with all the other hybrids, there are a lot of possibilities for Krieger-Coble. My guess is that he will move to the defensive line, primarily due to Scout's opinion that he, "Seems to be more involved when he's playing defense and tends to drift if the ball isn't coming his way on offense."

There could be special teams work for him this year, though I doubt he'll get any time on the offense or defense.

Ray Hamilton: TE, Strongsville OH

Measurables: 6'5" 230 pounds. Runs the 40 in 4.7 seconds.

Other Offers: Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, West Virginia, Stanford, and North Carolina, among others.

Commit Date: 06/30/2010

Possible Positions: TE, OL, DL

Chances of Playing in 2011: 35 percent. It depends upon which position he winds up at. However, he is the most physically filled out of Iowa's group of hybrid-type recruits, and could be valuable on special teams.

My Two Cents: Hamilton could wind up anywhere. However, I'd be surprised if he finishes his career as a tight end. His size and hands are fine, but he is not terribly fast. At best, he would probably be more of a blocking tight end.

Rather, I expect him to find his way to the interior of the offensive line. If you watch his video, you will notice he is a tight end that does not shy away from his blocking assignments. In fact, he seems to particularly enjoy blocking.

With another 50-60 pounds on his frame, he could be reminiscent of Eric Steinbach, who also came to Iowa as a somewhat slow (for a tight end), big-framed tight end.

Jake Duzey: TE, Troy MI

Measurables: 6'4" 215 lbs. Runs the 40 in 4.60 seconds.

Other Offers: Purdue, Michigan State, Oregon, Cincinnati, Wyoming, as well as a host of MAC schools.

Commit Date: 07/08/2010

Possible Positions: TE, DE, LB

Chances of Playing in 2011: 35 percent. Tight ends, defensive backs and linebackers always have a chance of contributing right away at Iowa, as they are invaluable on special teams. However, Duzey needs to gain 20-40 pounds before he is ready to line up on offense.

My Two Cents: Duzey will most likely stay at tight end, due to his speed and hands. However, as much of his high school career was spent lining up in the slot, he will have to learn how to play out of a three-point stance.

He will be something of a project that you might not see for two-three years. However, much like Brandon Myers before him, when he does blossom, he could be a major contributor.

Torrey Campbell: RB, Naples FL

Measurables: 5'11" 175 pounds. Runs the 40 in 4.45.

Other Offers: Wisconsin, Boston College, Duke, Kansas, Louisville, Maryland, NC State, Rutgers, South Florida, Tennessee. 

Commit Date: 08/03/2010

Possible Positions: RB, DB

Chances of Playing in 2011: 25 percent. There is opportunity at running back, safety and always on special teams. The problem is he's very undersized.

My Two Cents: I think Campbell will wind up playing cornerback for Iowa. Physically, he's ideal for the position. Moreover, he's a bit small for a Big Ten running back.

As previously mentioned, it is possible that Iowa is moving away from scat-backs.

Jordan Walsh: OG, Glen Ellyn IL

Measurables: 6'3" 275 lbs. Runs the 40 in 5.2 seconds.

Other Offers: Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Southern Cal, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, to name a few.  

Commit Date: 08/09/2010

Possible Positions: OL

Chances of Playing in 2011: 10 percent. Iowa rarely burns the shirt on offensive linemen.

My Two Cents: As his highlight film shows, he's an aggressive player with a nasty streak. That is good, because that is something that can't be taught.

He also plays far too high, which is something he can get away with at the high school level. He will have to work on his technique, which is fine, because that is something that can be taught.

Look for him on the 2012 and 2013 depth charts.

Dan Heiar: OL (Juco), Council Bluffs IA

Measurables: 6'5" 285 lbs. Runs the 40 in 5.0 seconds.

Other Offers: Michigan State, Rutgers, Bowling Green, Buffalo, East Carolina, Memphis 

Commit Date: 12/14/2010

Possible Positions: OL

Chances of Playing in 2011: 95 percent. He has three years to play two, but Iowa didn't offer Heiar in order to redshirt him.

My Two Cents: Iowa rarely recruits Juco players, preferring to build up their own players from scratch. However, they must have liked what they saw in Heiar. The last time that happened, things worked out pretty well.

As a Juco, Heiar is already on campus and presumably working hard in the weight and film room.

Expect him to jump right onto the depth chart, as well as compete for one of the starting guard positions. If he wins it, expect big things from him, as he will have to beat out two current Iowa linemen—Adam Gettis and Nolan MacMillan—with a good deal of meaningful game experience.

Jacob Hillyer: WR, Somerset TX

Measurables: 6'2" 180 lbs. Runs the 40 in 4.5 seconds.

Other Offers: Colorado State, UTEP

Commit Date: 12/19/2010

Possible Positions: WR

Chances of Playing in 2011: 55 percent. In all probability, at least one receiver will burn his redshirt next year. The fact that Hillyer actually played receiver in high school helps his chances. The fact that he needs to add some size to his frame hurts his chances.

My Two Cents: While Scout lists Hillyer at 6'2", Rivals lists him as 6'4". Either way, he's a big guy. He's not fast, but he could be a solid possession and red zone receiver.

Unlike the previously mentioned Marcus Grant, Hillyer is a more sophisticated route runner. He caught 87 passes his senior year. That will help him as he competes for immediate playing time.

Mika'il McCall: RB, Dolton IL

Measurables: 5'11" 190 lbs. Runs the 40 in 4.7 seconds.

Other Offers: Illinois, Michigan State, Minnesota, Purdue, Syracuse, Wisconsin, Central Michigan, Western Kentucky.  

Commit Date: 01/06/2011

Possible Positions: RB, DB

Chances of Playing in 2011: 65 percent. At least one new running back will be suiting up next season. I wouldn't surprised if it is McCall.

My Two Cents: McCall is pure running back. Moreover, he is a bruiser that runs much bigger than his size (Rivals lists him at 210 pounds). One need look no further than the other teams that recruited him—MSU and Wisconsin most notably.

Those are pro-style teams that look to run between the tackles, much like Iowa.

Damon Bullock: RB, Mansfield TX

Measurables: 6'0" 195 lbs. Runs the 40 in 4.5 seconds.

Other Offers: None known

Commit Date: 01/31/2011

Possible Positions: RB, LB, SS

Chances of Playing in 2011: 50 percent. At least one running back will burn his redshirt this season. In short, Bullock will have an opportunity.

My Two Cents: Bullock will get an early shot at running back. Once again, this is a crowded running back class, due to the obscene amount of attrition at the position.

As his video shows, he's got some impressive moves for a big guy, but it's also fairly apparent that he was at a considerably higher athletic level than his competitors.

In high school, it was evident that his coaches tried to get him outside. At Iowa, he will need to learn to run between the tackles.

Jordan Canzeri: RB, Troy NY

Measurables: 5'9" 177 lbs. Runs the 40 in 4.49 seconds.

Other Offers: Connecticut and Indiana.

Commit Date: 02/01/2011

Possible Positions: RB, CB

Chances of Playing: 35 percent. Canzeri has punt and kick returning experience, as well as everything else he brings to the table.

My Two Cents: As with so many high school players, Canzeri was a star on both sides of the ball, as his senior year offensive highlight video will attest.  

One advantage he will have over some of Iowa's other young running back recruits is that his high school offense was similar to Iowa's. On the other hand, his high school defensive scheme was decidedly different than the Hawks, featuring a lot of blitz packages.

In the end, my guess is that Canzeri will wind up on the defense, based mostly on his being a bit small for a Big Ten running back. However, it also wouldn't shock me if he stays on the offense as a change-of-pace back from all of the bruisers that Iowa seems to be picking up.

Where are the nation's Top 100 recruits signing? Bleacher Report has the latest.

Plus, we have live reaction as the faxes roll in.