John Wienke, a 6-4, 200-pound quarterback, committed to the University of Iowa on Saturday, according to HawkeyeReport.com.
He committed to Michigan in July, picking the Wolverines over Iowa. But with Michigan's coaching situation in flux (Rich Rodriquez sounds like a definite "no," so stay tuned), Wienke had a change of heart after visiting Iowa last weekend.
"It was just with the whole Michigan thing, they don't have any clue who their coach is going to be and they don't know who is going to stick around, so I kind of felt like I was running out of time," Wienke told Hawkeye Report. "After my official visit last weekend and how well it went, I just decided that I was going to Iowa."
Wienke led Tuscola (Ill.) to the Class 1A championship game this fall. As a senior, Wienke completed 184 of 288 for 2,832 yards and 32 touchdowns to just five interceptions.
Wienke is an "Elite 11" quarterback, meaning he was invited to a camp that includes 11 of the nation's top quarterbacks. Iowa junior Jake Christensen was also an Elite 11 QB.
Wienke is the second QB in this current recruiting class. He joins Keokuk's James Vandenberg, who became Iowa's all-time prep passer this season.
Wienke is Iowa's 15th commitment. Iowa will likely have at least 22 scholarships to give out this season, maybe more.
Thoughts. . . Iowa had nowhere to go at QB last season except for Christensen. Coach Kirk Ferentz pretty much admitted that when, asked about the backups and their readiness, he said "read between the lines." Christensen was walking the tightwire without a net. Would it have been good for him to be pulled, even if for "teaching moments"? I don't know, but it would have been healthy for Iowa to have a viable backup or some healthy competition at the spot. Between Christensen, Arvell Nelson (practiced and played receiver toward the end of last season), Ricky Stanzi, Vandenberg and now Wienke (and maybe David Blackwell), there should be some competition.