Ferentz on Fiedorowicz

By all accounts, C.J. Fiedorowicz is one of the big gets of the 2010 recruiting class. A U.S. Army Bowl participant, Fiedorowicz is a 6-7, 250-pound tight end with wheels and a weightroom ethic. Last fall for Johnsburg (Ill.) High School, he played free safety because as a D-end, teams just ran away from him. His coach, Barry Creviston, called that a waste, so he put Fiedorowicz at free safety, where he made plays.

Fiedorowicz had a backpack full of Big Ten football scholarship offers (Ohio State and Wisconsin) and had Big Ten basketball offers (Wisconsin and Indiana). Don't worry, he's football 24-7 now.

Links -- Joel Stevenson, of the Northwest Herald, wrote this player of the year story. It gives insight to Fiedorowicz in the weightroom. . . . Here's the first place I heard that Fiedorowicz changed his commitment from Illinois to Iowa, from Taylor Bell of the Chicago Sun-Times. . . . Here's the story I wrote close to signing day. Again, weightroom ethic and goals for playing time next season.

Bio -- From UI sports info: High school honors - - Participated in Army All-American Bowl, named USA Today all-American and ranked in ESPN's Top 150 . . . first team all-state by Chicago Sun Times, Chicago Tribune and Champaign News Gazette . . . first team Class 4-A all-state as a senior and sophomore . . . earned first team all-conference honors for three straight seasons and was league Player of the Year as a senior . . . Career - - earned four varsity letters in football, playing tight end, wide receiver, running back, quarterback, linebacker, defensive end and free safety . . . also used as long snapper . . . returned punts and kickoffs . . . team captain as a senior . . . career totals include 183 receptions for 3,121 yards (17.1 average) and 42 touchdowns, all school records that rank among top 10 in Illinois state history . . . 44 receptions for 921 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior . . . gained 809 yards on 49 receptions and 11 touchdowns as a junior . . . had 64 catches for 1,043 yards and 11 scores as a sophomore . . . 26 catches for 348 yards and five touchdowns as a freshman . . . four-year letterman in basketball and earned two letters in baseball and track . . . holds school career scoring record in basketball with over 1,400 points.

Personal - - Born 10/22/91 . . . given name is Colton John . . . pre-business major . . . parents are Leeann and Gary Fiedorowicz . . . high school coach was Barry Creviston.

Ferentz on -- On Iowa's pursuit of Fiedorowicz after he committed to Illinois last summer: "We targeted C.J. a long time ago. I remember the first time Lester told me about him. And I think he might have been a sophomore at that point also. And we just kept an eye on him and made the offer to him.

"We really felt like he connected well when he came on campus. He was here several times prior to making the decision elsewhere. And I guess we just weren't convinced that in his heart that was going to be the best thing for him, and we certainly weren't convinced it was the best thing for him either. So we stayed in contact. And when he reconsidered, his options during the course of the season, we're thrilled he came over for a ball game and came with his family.

"I think he felt very comfortable with the school, with the community. And I think he also felt comfortable with his opportunities in our offense and maybe what he could do. We do play with tight ends. And he certainly is a tight end. We think he's a pretty good one.

"So, I think that coupled with the fact that Tony's graduating, I think it was a good timing for us. And we're eager to get him here."

Projection is fun -- Fiedorowicz wants to play next season and I think he will.

Senior Allen Reisner will be the No. 1. No. 2 should be Brad Herman, a junior who has been sort of the third TE the last two seasons. Then, there's J.D. Griggs and others. Herman, who has one career reception, has the coaches' attention. He dropped a redshirt two years ago before he was really ready, something Reisner did, too. That gets coaches' attention in a positive way.

That's what's in front of Fiedorowicz. Fall camp will mean a lot, but I think he sees at least No. 3 TE next season.