 Marc MorehouseHi, I'm Marc Morehouse. I've covered sports for more than 15 years, mostly in Eastern Iowa. I've had Hayden Fry [...] |
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The whole Florida thing for Iowa recruting
Sunshine State worked early, but Hawkeyes have gradually pulled away
Caption: Iowa quarterback Brad Banks (7) and teammates Jermelle Lewis, left, and Colin Cole, center.. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Florida recruiting had a huge hand in turning around Iowa’s fortunes from 1-10 in 1999 to 11-2 (8-0 in the Big Ten) and the Orange Bowl.
This is when a young, hard-charging linebackers coach named Bret Bielema recruited Florida for head coach Kirk Ferentz. The Florida recruits included wide receivers Mo Brown and C.J. Jones, linebackers Fred Barr and Abdul Hodge, defensive back Antwan Allen and defensive lineman Colin Cole. Quarterback Brad Banks also was from Florida, but former Iowa D-line coach Ron Aiken is credited with that discovery while scouting Mississippi junior colleges.
Bielema left Iowa for Kansas State after the 2001 season. Iowa’s relationships in FLA stayed strong for one more season, with linebacker Ed Miles and safety Marcus Paschal signing on in 2002.
After Bielema, defensive coordinator/secondary coach Phil Parker recruited the Tampa area. Former D-line coach Rick Kaczenksi also recruited areas of Florida.
When the Iowa staff went through the first-round of shakeups with two new coordinators in early 2012, Ferentz announced that Iowa wouldn’t have a coach in FLA this recruiting season. Up until Feb. 6, every Ferentz recruiting staff had at least one Florida recruit.
Miles and Paschal were the last multi-year starters from Florida. They finished in ’06. Since the 2002 class, Iowa has had 17 FLA recruits.
The 2013 Hawkeyes could have a Floridian at QB in sophomore Jake Rudock. Also, it’s too early to see where the careers of defensive back Torrey Campbell (’11 recruit) and WR Greg Mabin and D-end Daumantas Venckus-Cucchiara are headed.
But of those 17 recruits, only two (RB Damian Sims and LB Troy Johnson) ended up as part-time starters. Nine FLA recruits left Iowa early during that stretch, too.
Ferentz said last February that Iowa wasn’t going to commit to Florida. What sparked this is recruiting coordinator Eric Johnson reiterated that during an I-Club gathering in Des Moines on Tuesday night.
Ferentz has decided to focus Iowa’s recruiting on the midwest. You’re going to ask, where is the speed going to come from?
My guesses would be Chicago, metro Ohio and St. Louis.
The 2013 class included five players from Ohio, delivered by O-line coach Brian Ferentz. This included wide receiver Damon Powell, running back LeShun Daniels and safety Solomon Warfield. Outside of linebacker Reggie Spearman, Iowa didn’t do a lot in the Chicago area, most likely because former running backs coach Lester Erb was out of the game.
For the first time in three years, Johnson again found recruits in St. Louis, bringing in three speed position players in WRs Derrick Mitchell Jr. and Andre Harris and running back Jonathan Parker. (Interesting note: The first St. Louis recruits during the Ferentz era didn’t come until 2006, when WR Paul Chaney and DE Adrian Clayborn signed.)
Some unknowns here:
– What about Texas? Offensive coordinator Greg Davis and linebackers coach LeVar Woods hit the state this year and that strategy likely will take hold. And, yes, there is speed in Texas.
– What about Chicago? I don’t know what’s going to happen there.
– I imagine Florida is not going to be totally closed. Iowa has connections there. The Hawkeyes will again play bowl games there. It’s certainly not out of the question.
Summary: Credit Bielema. Florida clearly worked for Iowa in the late ’90s and early ’00s. Iowa gradually backed away from the state and, thus, had fewer big-time hits. It takes the right kind of recruiter and a commitment to make FLA work for a northern school whatever miles away. The logic to pull out is solid given recent evidence, but you can’t deny the early home runs FLA yielded for the Hawkeyes.
I took a look at all of the signing day releases during Ferentz’s era. It goes like this:
Florida (34)
2013 — 0
2012 — (2) Venckus-Cucchiara, Mabin
2011 — (2) Campbell, Rudock
2010 — (1) RB De’Andre Johnson (dismissed from team)
2009 — (1) RB Josh Brown (transfer)
2008 — (3) QB David Blackwell (academics), RB Jeff Brinson (transfer), S Jack Swanson (four-year letterwinner; no career starts)
2007 — (1) RB Jevon Pugh (transfer)
2006 — (2) LB Troy Johnson (started 7 games), LB Lance Tillison (transferred and then returned)
2005 — (2) RB Kalvin Bailey (transferred), DL Vernon Jackson (left team)
2004 — (2) DB Wallner Belleus (academics), RB Damian Sims (rushed for 1,504 yards and 13 TDs in his career)
2003 — (1) LB Chris Brevi (medical redshirt, I believe)
2002 — (3) LB Ed Miles (207 career tackles, 23 for loss), S Marcus Paschal (199 career tackles, 3 INTs, 17 PBUs), DT Larry Thomas (transferred?)
2001 — (6) QB Brad Banks (Heisman runner-up), CB Antwan Allen (started 38 games, 235 tackles, eight career INTs), WR C.J. Jones (1,835 all-purpose yards in two seasons, 10 TDs), LB Abdul Hodge (No. 3 on Iowa’s career tackles list with 435), WR Darius Butler (transfer), DL Fabian Dodd (transfer)
2000 — (5) LB George Lewis (73 career tackles), CB Benny Sapp (dismissed), LB Charlie Bodiford (transfer?), WR Jhante Jones (transfer?), DB Aramis Haralson (transfer)
1999 — (3) DL Colin Cole (23 career sacks, 47 career tackles for loss), LB Fred Barr (376 career tackles), WR Mo Brown (84 career receptions, 1,515 yards and 15 TDs)
Ohio (32)
Top 3 from Ohio: QB Ricky Stanzi (26-9 record as starting QB), WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos (Iowa’s career leader in receptions with 173), CB Micah Hyde (38 career starts, eight INTs, 240 tackles)
Iowa (64)
Top eight: LT Robert Gallery (Outland Trophy), TE Dallas Clark (Mackey Award, actually a walk-on), OL Marshal Yanda (Pro Bowler), LB Pat Angerer (145 tackles in ’09), DT Mitch King (17.5 career sacks, 55 career tackles for loss), DT Matt Kroul (record 50 career starts), DT Jared Clauss (20 career tackles for loss)
Illinois (40)
Top four: DE Matt Roth (34 career sacks), TE Tony Moeaki (76 career receptions), OT Bryan Bulaga (Big Ten Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year in ’09), P Ryan Donahue (five of longest 14 punts in school history, covering 82 (second), 76 (fifth), 73, twice (10th) and 71 (14th) yards)
Texas (27)
Top four: DL Jonathan Babineaux (12 career sacks), DE Howard Hodges (21 career sacks), QB Drew Tate (8,292 career passing yards, 61 TDs), TE Scott Chandler (117 career receptions, 10 TDs)
Missouri (9)
Top two: WR Marvin McNutt (all Iowa receiving records except receptions), DE Adrian Clayborn (19 career sacks, 37.5 tackles for loss)
Pennsylvania (12)
Top three: S Bob Sanders (three-time first-team all-Big Ten selection), CB Jovon Johnson (17 career INTs), WR Ed Hinkel (135 career receptions, 15 TDs)
Maryland (7)
Top two: RB Marcus Coker (1,385 rushing yards in ’11, transferred), DT Darian Cooper (34 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss as redshirt frosh last season)
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I don’t know man, seems kind of crazy not to be down there. We don’t recruit California, now the door is seemingly closing on Florida, and Texas is gonna be tough; it seems like Texas recruits tend to stay home, especially with the rise of A&M, Texas will be Texas again soon, Baylor, Tech, Oklahoma, etc. That’s the 3 best states, period. Also, the Maryland/New Jersey connection might dry up with the addition of Rutgers/Maryland.
Chicago might get tougher with the rise of Notre Dame and Northwestern. Iowa will always be able to recruit lineman and TEs. My question is can you survive on Ohio State’s scraps, St. Louis, Iowa, and battling in Chi-town for skill players? You’re not gonna hit on DJKs, McNutts, Hydes very often. I know they are trying to develop KC, but really how much top flight talent is there and if there is, it’s going Big 12. With an offense that seemingly will rely on those positions more than ever, it raises eyebrows.
What about areas like Tennessee, Kentucky, or North Carolina. The in state programs there aren’t top flight. Just not much talent really?
What say you, Marc?
PS they should hire the Zooker as lead Recruiter if that whole thing holds up. The guy couldn’t coach, but man could he recruit. Iowa needs a shyster compete with the big boys. No matter what people think of the rating scales, a team a 4 stars will beat a team of 2 stars 9/10 times, fact.
Excellent questions, John. I think you nail Iowa’s predicament rather accurately.
How does KF measure success for a recruiting area? I’m sure it’s part economics, efficiency (logistics, travel) and, obviously, performance (does the kid play, graduate, citizenship).
However that worked, it seems to have pointed Iowa to pulling out of FLA, which is as competitive as anywhere to recruit.
Formula I would use: Top three to five Iowa kids (depending on what kind of year it is in Iowa); 3 to 5 Illinois kids (mix of linemen and skill players); 1 to 3 St. Louis (what Eric Johnson has done there is outstanding); 3 to 5 from Ohio (same mix as Illinois, some beef and some speed); 2 to 3 from Indiana/Pennsylvania; 2 to 3 from Texas (speed and then need).
Outside of FLA, Iowa has done very little recruiting in the south. Here’s a breakdown: South Carolina (2), Alabama (1), Mississippi (2) and Arkansas (2). Iowa has had more Canadians (3).
Iowa’s strategy is close to home, within six to eight hours, so parents can see their kids play.
It’s always been the strategy, it’s just now more clearly stated.
This all said, outside elements could change this very quickly.
Two things: 1) Evolution of recruiting: If the NCAA rules stay changed, Iowa will have a recruiting staff. Will that open new doors? How will that even work? That’s a new world. I know KF and Barta are discussing it. First, we’ll see if the new rules stick. 2) If the Big Ten expands south, I would assume Iowa’s recruiting would go along with it. That’s also a big if. If it does happen, the Big Ten will at least give Iowa a calling card in those states, be it North Carolina, Virginia or Georgia (if it were only easier to get from Atlanta to Iowa).
I think its crazy that you would close recruiting in Florida. Florida youth have speed and speed and more speed. And not all of them can go to FU, FSU and Miami. The Hawks need a recruiter to work Florida.
Iowa hasn’t committed to south Florida, which is where Iowa’s truly productive FLA players came from. It’s been that way since Bielema left after 2001.
Iowa had already turned away from FLA. Now, it’s just saying it.
Phenomenal breakdown regarding the recruiting formula.I completely get the stress and homesickness that comes along with recruits from far away places ie Florida, East Coast, etc.
I’m just worried about the program pigeonholing itself with the Midwest mantra. Again I think they can do well in St. Louis, Iowa, 2nd Tier Ohio/Pennsylvania, and most likely Chicago, but stay tuned again with Notre Dame, Northwestern, abd Illinois looking to reconnect with the city. I think Michigan will shut down Detroit ala Delano Hill. Indiana had a stronger class and who knows if Minnesota eventually gets decent enough a Malik Rucker decides to stay home. I hope they feel really good with that strategy, you can only develop someone so much, you have to have some raw materials. The Dallas Clark and Robert Gallery stories our up on the shelf and collecting dust if you catch my drift.
Another thought is that Fran can stock up on local talent. The Midwest and Iowa IMO have much bertter talent in basketball recruits. Just think about all the D1 players that come from Eastern Iowa alone the last few years, very underrated state. 2-3 guys homegrown guys have such a big impact on the hardwood but 4-6 footballers dont carry the same weight.
Heres to hoping for success and getting back to prominence. Go Hawks!
Agree on some of the stories collecting dust. That’s absolutely true.
They’ll still have connections in FLA and NJ. It’s a matter of relationships and trust.
The main component going forward seems to be finding recruits who live close enough so their parents can see games in Kinnick. Within that framework, it’s on Iowa’s coaches to find the raw material.
Is a Damian Sims worth more than a . . . hmmm . . . Damon Bullock?
Also, how does KF measure success here beyond retention and performance? What are the economics behind FLA recruiting and Ohio, besides the obvious plane ticket? My guess is stress on the family. It costs a lot of money to fly to IC from, say, Troy NY (Canzeri). I remember Ed Hinkel’s folks drove to EVERY Big Ten game from Erie. That’s a time commitment, which, as we all know, is actually a financial commitment in time lost working.
I think the biggest question in regard to recruiting is if they push ahead with a recruiting staff (if these NCAA recruiting rules stick).
1) On the Field Success, 2) Coaching, 3) Facilities………..these are the tangibles that make recruiting happen in college football. You can recruit an area all you want, but to get the big athletes, these three areas must be covered. I think Iowa’s success comes from #2, the coaching. Recently, the facilities were upgraded, so that can’t hurt. What needs to happen is some success. Relative success. Otherwise, I don’t think it matters where you concentrate your recruiting, and recruiting will happen if these tangibles are improved.
I would argue the NFL stuff is something Iowa could use.
The real piece of arsenal Iowa is missing is long-standing tradition.
They need a division title to be won at Kinnick here pretty soon to show recruits.
The last time that happened was ’04. I remember seeing a lot of flip phones that day.
Its more crazy for Iowa to keep recruiting Florida if you look rationally at the results. Except for ’01 and ’99, more than 10 years ago by the way, just about every Florida Recruit on that list dropped out, transferred, or never meaningfully started. Brings that famous Einstein quote about insanity to mind to keep recruiting there and expecting positive results. Iowa is not a national program, and its very different than the Florida demographic (Urban, weather, distance, culture).
Which is better, getting a 3 star out of Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, or Ohio (or Texas?) who is 50% more likely to stay for the full 4/5 years and go through the Iowa development program, or take a chance on more likely misses/transfers/dropouts in recruiting in Florida for maybe getting a couple 1/2 star better athlete. Before you answer, take a moment to consider how our Defensive Line and Running Backs have been doing with a few misses in recruiting over the last few years.
This is an incredibly rational post. Goes against your moniker, but very well done.
I understand the cognitive dissonance of pulling up roots in FLA, but if you look at the chart, Iowa hasn’t done serious business there since Bielema left south Florida.
Distance factor, parents being able to travel to games, that’s the thrust moving forward, according both to Ferentz and Eric Johnson.
When I was at Iowa (many years ago…Hayden era) we had guys from California, Texas, Colorado, NJ/NY, Penn, and of course throughout the Midwest. Recruiting was different then though. Generationally speaking, I find going to school far away is less and less likely with young people today. I don’t know if it is because they tend to be closer to their parents than the Boomers were or if it is that young people have less appreciation for geography (they live virtual lives which I think makes them less traveled in the conventional sense). Whatever the case, my “sense” is that Iowa could never recruit the way Hayden did. Adolescence has extended beyond the college years too. Which has an effect. When I was at Iowa the drinking age was 18. Once you left H.S. you were afforded adult experiences. Today, college kids, are still seen as kids and outside of the 5-star players and some 4-star players (who are de facto professionals in terms of how they live their lives and are treated), I find most kids stay close to home. I am sure someone could do a study on this. Not just for Iowa but the entire Big Ten or regionally by conference. On a related note. I think with Rutgers coming on board Iowa could actually reinvigorate the NY/NJ pipeline, especially if they are able to play in NJ at least 2 times every five years.
Excellent observations and great post.
It once was a kid going off to college. Now, it does feel like a “community” or “entourage” goes. Family, friends, coaches, personal trainers. They all stay connected via the internet. You can stay in nearly constant contact.
Also liked your point about Rutgers. Iowa has embers there. They could flame every once in a while. KF really seems to respect Frank Verducci, and why not? The track record is remarkable.
Failing to maintain a presence i the old Confederacy is a mistake, unless you plan to time your players in the 40 on a sundial. Texas and Florida have been the source of such speed as we have had, an it has never been enough. There is a reason that the SEC has dominated college football the last ten years or so, and that is the football culture from Virginia to Texas, and especially in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. These kids are scary good at an early age, in a way that neither the Midwest nor the two coasts can match. If we don’t get a line on more southern high school players, we can count on Outback and Alamo bowls for the foreseeable future. The national championship game will be a distant and unobtainable vision. Depend on it.
The chart of FLA recruits above shows Iowa already has pretty much shut down southern recruiting. KF said last February they wouldn’t have anyone recruiting FLA this year. Why is this such a shock now?
The only way I see southern recruiting really opening up for B1G teams is if Delany plants the conference flag in the south. That could happen. That might give Iowa a shot in place like Florida and Georgia.