Hawkeye Football | Best of Twitter | Iowa Football Media Day

The players have reported, the first practice was this morning and the doors were opened to the media. I'll get right to it, here is the best tweets, links, and pics from today's coverage (I've linked the accounts so if you don't already follow these guys, please do):

RT @HawkeyeInsider: Expects to see Nebraska to be recruiting more in Big Ten areas and challenging #Iowa for players. -KF

RT @TheIowaHawkeyes: Ferentz: I like to twitter all the players about social media. (laughter) Might get a Facebook page during the bye week.

RT @TheIowaHawkeyes: Ferentz: Punter Eric Guthrie is one of the most improved players on the team.

RT @HawkeyeInsider: Important to decide No. 2 QB in camp. "at some point have to figure that out."

RT @marcmorehouse: KF: Hesitant to call CB opposite Prater.

RT @TheIowaHawkeyes: Ferentz: Iowa has a healthy list of return candidates.

RT @HawkeyeInsider: Punt Returns - Hyde & McNutt possibilities.

RT @sbatt79:  Ferentz: "I was just trying to help him out." Referencing Nebraska media member who sought his autograph at Big Ten kickoff

RT @RSuchomel: On Morris: "everything he does, he does the way you'd hope a player will do."

RT @ScottDochterman: Kirk on Nebraska autograph seeker: it was unique. I was trying to help him out. (snort)

RT @HawkeyeInsider: Not ruling any Tr Frosh out this year. Mentions K Koehn from Solon

RT @TheIowaHawkeyes: Ferentz: Could play 6-8 people on the defensive line.

RT @TheIowaHawkeyes: Ferentz: Micah Hyde is a luxury...he can play both free safety and corner.

RT @HawkeyeInsider: KF on Hyde at S - how other players perform in camp - T. Miller, Lowery, Steinbrecher, etc. - will affect where Micah plays

RT @HawkeyeNation: Says Alvis better comparison to Klug that King and Kroul, as is more 'lineear'

RT @RSuchomel: On VB "sometimes good players get positioned behind other good players."

RT @TheIowaHawkeyes: Coach Ferentz will like the upcoming 9-game Big Ten schedule more when the Hawks play 5 games in Kinnick.

RT @HawkeyeNation: Expects lot out of K Davis.  Herman threat at TE, counting on CJ and Zach Derby to help there too..hopes to have running game ppl respect

RT @marcmorehouse: KF: Rogers still being managed by UiHC. Maybe the end of camp. Nothing certain.

RT @HawkeyeInsider: #Iowa will face 8 teams this season with coaches they've not prepared for before.

RT @ScottDochterman: Kirk references Butler basketball loss to Youngstown to compare 1st game with Tennessee Tech

RT @RSuchomel: Ferentz says Purdue  "ready to make a move."

RT @HawkeyeNation: Kirk begins presser by talking about ANF and agriculture.

RT @HawkeyeInsider: KF starts Presser by saying practice wasn't that good under his breath.

RT @RSuchomel: All games sold out except some single tickets.

RT @HawkeyeNation: Iowa has had four SID's in history...pretty amazing actually.

RT @marcmorehouse: I saw Hayden and Hlas hug.

RT @HawkeyeNation: Coker at 230...if he has learned to get pads low, lookout

RT @HawkeyeNation: Cooper listed at 6-2/280

RT @HawkeyeNation: Kirksey 6-2/215.  McCall 6-0/215.  Morris 6-2/227.  Raymon 6-5/240.

RT @HawkeyeNation: Alvis listed at 6-4/255.  Boeffeli 6-5/290.  Canzeri 5-9/172.  Coker 6-0/230. Carl Davis 6-5/310. Hamilton 6-5/235. Hitchens 6-1/224

RT @HawkeyeNation: Hearing that John Raymon is going to see time at DE this year...physically like  2nd or 3rd yr player.  Listed 6-5/240.

RT @HawkeyeNation: Hayden wore white pants so QB could spot him to see play call

RT @HawkeyeNation: Nolan Macmillan not practicing. Morgan referred to ferentz to say why

RT @marcmorehouse: Hayden about the farm: "If you've got something good, squeeze it 'til it's dry." Awesome.

RT @marcmorehouse: Hayden is mythical, a titan. They don't build this model anymore.

RT @marcmorehouse: Willie Nelson called Hayden about using ANF with Farm Aid, back in the day. I find that unbelievably cool.

RT @HawkeyeNation: ANF logo is here to stay

RT @marcmorehouse: ANF will have a presence in Kinnick, a plaza. It will be an ongoing initiative to boost farming. Makes sense. America does need farmers.

RT @thebstiles: The release I got on my way in says the Iowa/Northwestern game is being promoted as "ANF Day at Kinnick."

RT @HawkeyeInsider: A.J. Derby told me that he will not change positions during his #Iowa career - no matter what
RT @aaronbvarsity: Riley Reiff dealing with post-college expectations, likely on to NFL

RT @marcmorehouse: No idea on the circumstance for Darian Cooper. Ferentz said he expects him mid-week next week.

RT @marcmorehouse: Darian Cooper is expected to be back middle of next week. Getz and Daniel limited. Nolan MacMillan has sports hernia.

Here is a link to some Twitpics taken by the Iowa Hawkeye Twitter account.


RT @MattRandazzo: Just like every year #Ferentz downplays expectations and preseason polls.

Hawkeye Sports has the full transcript of today's Kirk Ferentz presser.

The Cedar Rapids Gazette has more on Farm Bureau and the ANF partnership.

The Gazette also has some news and notes from today.

Scott Dochterman caught up with Chris Doyle and asked about rhabdo.

Mike Hlas captioned this pic of Carl Davis with "Carl Davis is large."

Marc Morehouse posted a video of coach Ferentz.

Morehouse also has player videos uploaded to his On Iowa blog.

And that's certainly not everything. Check back at the News Board over the weekend for links to all the stories that emerge from today. Enjoy the weekend!

Hawkeye Football | Linebacker Laron Taylor Commits to Iowa

Laron Taylor was down to two schools, Iowa and Cincinnati. Today around 12:30 CST he verbally committed to the Hawkeye coaching staff.

Scout.com rates Taylor as a three star linebacker recruit. Rivals ranks Taylor as a two star prospect. In addition to Iowa and Cincinnati Taylor had offers from Indiana and Western Michigan.

Laron becomes the ninth commit of the 2012 recruiting class. His Detroit Cass Tech teammate Ruben Lile did not commit but narrowed his list down to Iowa, Wisconsin, and Toledo.

Here are Taylor's Youtubes:







In other recruiting news, Southfield, Michigan corner back Leviticus Payne committed to Cincinnati. Payne held an offer from the Hawkeyes along with offers from Bowling Green, Toledo and Western Michigan.

Hawkeye Links | Quick Football and Basketball Recruiting Notes

The Hawkeye football team will host the media today in Iowa City. While that's taking place there may some exciting recruiting news too.

First, Laron Taylor will hold a press conference to announce either Iowa or Cincinnati. Taylor, per Twitter, says:

Detroit is on central time zone so 1 pm cst.

That wasn't all Taylor had to tweet, he also had this nugget:

That's right, Ruben Lile might announce today as well. The Hawks have offered both and maybe they'll get two from Cass Tech.

Illinois' top prospect Tommy Schutt was set to announce his verbal commitment to Notre Dame but then the offer disappeared. The Chicago Tribune reports that Schutt will be "going back to square one" regarding his college choices. Iowa has an offer out to Schutt, you can watch his videos here.

In hoops recruiting news, Rivals three star shooting guard Kenny Gaines announced his top five schools via his Twitter account. Gaines tweets:

Per a July 12th Rivals article Gaines mentioned he can play some defense as well as get to the basket. It also says that Gaines had a healthy list of offers. It's nice that Iowa made the cut but if Fran can get him to leave the South and come to the Midwest still remains to be seen.

Hawkeye Football | Iowa vs. Iowa State Rivalry Stays Intact. Why?

Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany announced yesterday that the Big Ten will move to a nine game conference schedule beginning 2017. Scott Dochterman, of the Cedar Rapids Gazette, writes that even with the new nine game schedule the second protected rivalry game looks dead. So Iowa doesn't get a protected rivalry with Wisconsin but one out-of-conference rivalry appears to remain intact. Iowa versus Iowa State.

I asked this question on Twitter yesterday after the new nine game schedule was announced, "Is 2016 the end of the Iowa vs. Iowa State rivalry." Most replies pointed out that the odd/even years of five home games for Iowa synced with the years Iowa would host Iowa State. In other words, when Iowa gets four Big Ten home games they play ISU at home, and vice-versa. It appears that the in-state rivalry is safe, for now.

But is that a good thing?

Certainly it is for the fans and local businesses that benefit from what Iowa vs. Iowa State brings that one week a year. Looking at it from Iowa's side though I struggle to see how playing an in-state rival is a benefit. At least in a state like Iowa.

From a recruiting stand point you lose out on an opportunity to take your team to a location that you recruit. Pittsburgh is a fine example. Granted, Iowa is playing Pitt in Iowa City this season but roadies to BCS schools like Pitt give you that extra selling point when you are chasing four star recruits from Pennsylvania and the East Coast region.

I recall an argument last fall that I believe supports my case. It was written in the media and mentioned on blogs that Iowa to Arizona trips were and should be done. Other than pleasing relocated Iowans and alumni in the desert of doom you look to bolster your recruiting pitch by playing Pitt, Rutgers and UCONN (etc.). Arizona isn't a region Iowa looks to for recruits and other than pleasing fans (well, not with wins) there is no reason to make that trip.

If there is no reason to venture to Arizona then why travel just a couple hours over and play Iowa State. Yes they do battle head-to-head for recruits but how many really? Iowa's 2012 recruiting class currently has zero verbal commits from the Iowa. Iowa is chasing the state's top recruit, Amara Darboh, but it's a fight with Michigan and Notre Dame, not Iowa State.

Now I'll admit that all of this is probably pretty shortsighted. The landscape of the Big Ten and therefor recruiting will change. For now, I'm convinced, and unless someone can show me differently I'll stay that way.

Hawkeye Football | Wayback Machine | 1983 #13 Iowa at Penn State

Hayden Fry! White pants!

The Hawkeye Historian is the gift that keeps giving. Today he takes us back to 1983 when the #13 ranked Hawkeyes sent JoPa and his Nittany Lions to an 0-3 record to start the season. Iowa entered this match-up 1-0 after a 51-10 throttling of Iowa State the week prior.

Iowa would finish the regular season 9-2 but lose to Florida in the Gator Bowl. The '83 Hawks would finish the season 9-3 and ranked #14 by both polls.

Hawkeye Football | Iowa 30th in First Preseason Coaches Poll

USA Today has released the first Coaches Poll of 2011. The Hawkeyes received 41 votes ranking them #30 behind Miami (Fla.) and ahead of Northwestern.

Wisconsin comes in at #10 and are the only Big Ten team in the top 10. Other ranked teams are Nebraska #11, Ohio State #16. Michigan State #17, and Penn State #25. Iowa, Michigan and Northwestern are among the others receiving votes.

Iowa's September 17th opponent Pittsburgh received three votes.


Bob Stoops' Oklahoma Sooners will start the season as the #1 team.

Hawkeye Links | Edmiston Update and Hawks in the NFL

Yesterday I talked about the possibility of a new verbal commit to the Hawkeye football team. Turns out, Rodney Edmiston did not commit to Iowa and he is still waiting on an offer. He does have the Hawks high on the list. Perhaps this is a case of a family member getting the wrong information.

In other recruiting news, Indianapolis defensive lineman Sheldon Day has given his verbal to Notre Dame. They were thought to be the leader for the four star recruit. Day had visited Iowa last month.

Detroit's Laron Taylor will decide between Iowa and Cincinnati tomorrow. Taylor's teammate, Ruben Lile, had an interesting tweet yesterday. He mentioned, and I'm paraphrasing, "he (Lile?) plays Michigan nov 17 2012." Taylor, despite a million tweets a day, hasn't tipped his cap to which school he'll choose. Maybe Lile's tweet means the Hawks will not get one, but two from Detroit's Cass Tech?

If you follow my Twitter account you've probably already seen some of these Hawks in the NFL updates. If not, enjoy.

• Wikipedia thinks DJK is an Eagle
• Jeremiha Hunter has been placed on the IR
• TitansNews says Karl Klug is one of the players playing well in camp
• Bob Sanders believes San Diego is the perfect place for him
• Vikings OL Chris DeGeare got smoked by rookie Christian Ballard
• Allen Reisner had a "steller day" in camp yesterday
• Rex Ryan says Shonn Greene has improved as a receiver
• KC press got an America quote outta Stanzi, he said he doesn't travel "America is the only place I go"
• Pat Angerer is running with the first team LB's
• Chan Gailey really likes Scott Chandler
• AJ Edds has replaced Tim Dobbins as second string LB
• Matt Roth to the Patriots might happen
• Brett Greenwood, hardest hits?

And finally, it's started! Camp opened yesterday for first year Hawkeyes. Today, returning players will report. The official Hawkeye football Twitter account gave us our first look at the 2011 recruiting class.

Hawkeye Football | Former Hawkeye Brandon Wegher to Attend IWCC

Former Hawkeye runningback Brandon Wegher tweeted last night that he was "off to IWCC." That was a direct quote from Brandon's private Twitter account. IWCC is Iowa Western Community College. While he did not mention playing football I assume with the timing of his departure that he was heading there to participate in camp. That part is still unclear. IWCC has yet to update their roster for the 2011 season.

Wegher has been the subject of much speculation over the last year since he decided to leave the Iowa team. He was named in a custody case over his child with Megan Glisar. He walked-on and then quickly walked-out on Bob Stoops and the Oklahoma football program. He was also rumored to be interested in enrolling at Morningside.

Iowa is no stranger to the IWCC program. The Hawkeyes snagged offensive lineman Dan Heiar from there. Blue Chip recruit Rodney Coe will attend IWCC for two years to improve his academics before possibly finishing his career as a Hawkeye.

Wegher was released from his scholarship at Iowa at the end of 2010. The only stipulations at that time were that he couldn't transfer to another Big Ten school. If he can get his academics together and still shine on the football field it's probably a no-brainer that he can be a highly sought after JUCO recruit following a season at IWCC.

Hawkeye Football | Did Rodney Edmiston Commit to Iowa?

There was an interesting conversation that took place last night on the Twitter that may mean Iowa has a new verbal commit. Granted, this was just conversation so take it for what it's worth. First, there was this tweet:

Followed by some detective work by blog buddy Eric at Fight for Iowa (he had tweets back and forth with our man posted above) resulted in this tweet:

So, who is Rodney Edmiston? Rivals lists him as a 6' 185 pound safety prospect from Nashville, Tennessee. Rivals does not list Edmiston with an Iowa offer or any offers but does list Iowa as a school of interest along with Kentucky, Louisville and Tennessee Tech.

Just reading the Scout story titles we know that Edmiston favors Iowa and camped in Iowa City back in June. Other than that, I can't find much.

To get a glimpse of Edmiston on video check out this link to his Hudl page.


Other football recruiting news.

Yesterday, in Hawkeye Links, I mentioned that both Jordan Diamond and Maurice Fleming were sort of lobbying on behalf of Robert Gregory. Gregory, a dual threat quarterback, has indeed received an offer from the Hawkeye coaching staff. With Ferentz stating last week at the Big Ten media days that Iowa still wants a QB in this class Gregory is a recruit to watch.

Hawkeye Links | Diamond, Stanzi, Clayborn, and Hoops Recruits

Hawkeye football prospect Jordan Diamond recently took a visit to Iowa City to check out the Hawkeyes. Diamond tweeted that:

The news that Diamond visited sparked a tweet from Hawkeye commit Maurice Fleming that said "My bro Jordan Diamond say he loved Iowa but I think Iowa should get my big bro Bobby a try he a nice QB."

Bobby, is assumed to be Robert Gregory, quarterback from Diamond's Simeon high school in Chicago, Illinois. Gregory does not hold an Iowa offer yet but does from Illinois, Minnesota and others. Gregory is a three star recruit per Rivals.

Diamond visited Arkansas today.

Ricky Stanzi is having a nice start to Kansas City Chiefs' opening camp. Hawkeye blogger the Hawk Talk has the run down. Playing well or not, Ricky still is getting a taste of some rookie hazing.

You can also track another former Hawkeye now making waves as a rookie. Tampa Bay Online provides a live updating blog from Tampa Bay Buccaneer camp. Plenty of Adrian Clayborn mentions there.

Christian Ballard signed a four year deal with the Vikings. The terms other than the number of years weren't available. Ballard will wear #99 for the Purple and Gold.


Rob Howe, of Hawkeye Insider, reports that Hawkeye hoops have made a couple of new offers to 2012 prospects. The first, Gavin Thurman, a combo guard from Kansas. The second, Phil Forte, a point guard prospect from Texas.

Yesterday, Pat Harty reported that Iowa may be looking at replacing Anthony Hubbard with McKenzie Moore, a 6'6" guard from California. Now, HI's Rob Howe is reporting via Twitter "Moore has not qualified academically. He's waiting on NCAA Clearinghouse." Howe also tweeted "McKenzie Moore's Coach says '11 CA G HAS NOT re-opened his recruitment. He's committed to St. Mary's"

Marc Morehouse, of the Cedar Rapids Gazette, gives us two hours of Hawkeye senior wide receiver Marvin McNutt. It's long, I mean really long, like two hours of transcribed converstation long. Good stuff though. Morehouse, teamed with Scott Dochterman also released their weekly podcast this afternoon too.

And finally, if you wanted a look at Iowa's renderings of the new football practice facilities the Cedar Rapids Gazette has the video.

Hawkeye Links | Weekend Recap: Hubbard, Pirsig, Pat Ingram Updates

I hope everyone enjoyed the weekend. There are less than five weeks until Iowa kicks off the football season against Tennessee Tech. The Hawkeye football team will hold its media day for local media this Friday. With that will be a weekend full of stories and news from the beginnings of Iowa's camp.

Let's get caught up though. To do that I'll link some of the news that happened this past Saturday and Sunday.

First, Jon Miller, of HawkeyeNation.com, has a complete eight-part series in which he transcribed every thing from Ferentz at Friday's Big Ten media day. Ferentz discusses just about everything under the sun.

The Hawkeyes lost out on a massive offensive lineman recruit Saturday. Jonah Pirsig, 6'9" 300 pounds, gave his verbal commitment to home state Minnesota. Pirsig picked the Gophers over Iowa and Wisconsin.

Another native Minnesotan the Hawkeyes have been trying to lure South is Will Johnson. Johnson, a tight end prospect, likes Minnesota, Auburn and Ole Miss (in addition to Iowa). Chris, from Gopherhole.com, recently interviewed Johnson and discussed his recruitment here.

Last Thursday, Collegiate Hoops tweeted that former Hawkeye Anthony Hubbard was heading to Wichita to play for the Shockers. After failing to confirm that report Collegiate Hoops then backed off that tweet. Now, BlueJay Cafe is tweeting that Hubbard wanted to go to Wichita but the administration put a stop to it.

HawkeyeInsider.com's Rob Howe is reporting that hoops prospect Pat Ingram is setting up his official visits and Iowa made the list. Ingram is a 6'3" shooting guard from Indianapolis that holds offers from the Hawks as well as Northern Illinois, Southern Illinois and St. Louis. HI's snippet says Inrgram wants to commit to a school as early as this month.

And finally, another hoops recruit to keep an eye on is Jameel Warney. The Recruit Scoop tweeted that Hawkeye coach Fran McCaffery was talking to the 6'7" power forward. Warney is from Roselle, New Jersey. Here is the ESPN recruiting scoop on the potential recruit.