Recruiting news conference notes
IOWA CITY -- During his Wednesday news conference, Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz hinted that the Hawkeyes’ recruiting class might not be finished.
“I’ll have some announcement on that in the near future, maybe Monday,” Ferentz said. “We still have some openings, some potential developments that could take place in this recruiting class.”
Ferentz can’t talk about players unless they’ve signed their national letter of intent, so he couldn’t get into specifics Wednesday. But former Hawkeyes Amari Spievey and Shonn Greene, both of whom left Iowa because of academics last summer, could return.
Spievey, a defensive back, transferred to Iowa Central in Fort Dodge, where he played last season. He has said Iowa has offered him a spot and that he has accepted. Greene, a running back, attended Kirkwood College in Cedar Rapids last fall and also could return. In two seasons at Iowa, he rushed for 378 yards and two TDs.
Marcus Wilson, a safety, also left Iowa last summer for academic reasons. Reportedly, he also attended Kirkwood to get his academics in order and possibly return.
*********** I think Spievey is in, but don't really know about Greene and Wilson. It looks like we won't have to wait long. **************
Bulaga surgery
Sophomore guard Bryan Bulaga, who started five games as a true freshman last season, has undergone shoulder surgery and will sit out spring practice, Ferentz said. Bulaga suffered the injury in the first game last season but returned well enough to make the starting lineup.
Senior wide receiver Andy Brodell is fully recovered from the torn hamstring that ended his season just four games in last year. “He’s up and running, and fast, which is good,” Ferentz said.
Offensive lineman Dace Richardson is still recovering from a major knee repair. His status remains up in the air.
******** It's not good that Bulaga, who's still a young player in his second year, will miss spring. Don't know what the procedure was, but he played with a banged up shoulder most of last season. Brodell will help. Last fall, Ferentz said Richardson's knee might end his career, so that's probably a long climb back. ************
Arrow up for Pugh
Sophomore running back Jevon Pugh has enrolled and only missed two days of class, Ferentz said. The Florida native has battled homesickness.
“Right now that’s what he needs to demonstrate, that he can make the adjustment to this team, do well academically,” Ferentz said. “He’s in school, working at it. We’ll see what he does.”
************ Like the man said, we'll see what he does. The question was, "Are you confident he'll be here in the fall?" ************************
Bowman back
Wide receiver Anthony Bowman, who sat out a season-long suspension in 2007, is enrolled in classes and back on the team, Ferentz said. In December, Bowman pleaded guilty to credit card fraud, an aggravated misdemeanor.
Bowman received a deferred judgment. He was arrested Aug. 19 and originally charged with unauthorized use of a credit card, a Class D felony punishable by up to five years in prison.
“He’ll be with us this spring, and obviously we’ll keep a close eye on things, but I anticipate him being with our football team.” Ferentz said. “He’s prepared to move forward. As long as he does that, takes care of business they way he needs to, we plan on him being with us.”
********** I admire the fact that he's taking the hard road. It would've been easy for him to leave. I would love to write this comeback story. Again, wait and see. *************************
Quick slants
Ferentz said the 2009 class might end up being “smaller than average” and perhaps the smallest he’s had at Iowa. The Hawkeyes’ roster is loaded with underclassmen, including the 24 commitments plus two grayshirts Iowa picked up Wednesday. The emphasis will be on offensive linemen, he said. Cedar Rapids Washington wide receiver Keenan Davis has an offer from Iowa.
************** Davis is as "must get" as "must get" can get around here. It's as much about defending your home turf as anything else. Well, not entirely true. The kid is for real. *******
Joe Gaglione, a defensive end from Novelty, Ohio, signed his letter of intent with Iowa Wednesday despite receiving a late offer from Ohio State.
******** I'll bet I know who your new favorite Hawkeye is today. ***********************
Iowa coaches talked to doctors and were satisfied with the status of recruit David Blackwell’s knee. Blackwell, of Pompano Beach, Fla., missed his senior season after suffering a torn ACL. As a junior, he caught 63 passes for 1,352 yards and 15 TDs.
************** How long will Blackwell stay at QB? I didn't realize he put up those kinds of numbers as a wide receiver. Impressive. *******
Sophomore defensive back Derrick Smith has left Iowa and is enrolled at Iowa Central.
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