Hawkeye Football | Freshman Defensive End John Raymon Officially Gone

The University of Iowa has officially announced that freshman John Raymon has left the football team. A little over a week ago, Scout.com's Rob Howe posted this news along with quotes from Raymon.

Raymon told Scout, "Mainly, I need to be closer to home." He also told Scout's Howe, "I'm looking to go to the Big East or ACC," Raymon said. "I'm thinking about WVU, Pitt and N.C. State. Maybe it will be another Big Ten school."

Raymon had been a subject of rumors dating back to August 16th when he posted on his Facebook wall that he wanted to transfer. Entering his first fall camp at Iowa he was a considered a freshman that could compete for playing time along the defensive line. Following the fallout of the Facebook message it was reported that Raymon would stay and try to work things out.

Raymon joins Rodney Coe as the first two deflections from Iowa's 2011 recruiting class. Rodney Coe is currently enrolled and playing football at Iowa Western Community College and reportedly still has interest in joining the Iowa football team after he receives an Associates Degree at IWCC.

Iowa needs all the help they can get along the defensive front seven. Raymon's departure still leaves Iowa's DL with Darian Cooper, Riley McMinn and Melvin Spears from the 2011 class. The saddest thing might be that we never get to see if Raymon gets a shot with Fran McCaffery's basketball squad.