Ferentz on Martin-Manley

Kevonte Martin-Manley's recruiting kind of cropped up in December. He committed early to Bowling Green, and why not? Freddie Barnes just capped a brilliant career there with 298 receptions and 30 TDs.

But then Iowa came calling and it was over quickly. Iowa offered and Martin-Manley jumped aboard.

This wasn't a shot in the dark on Iowa's part. The Hawkeyes are OK at wideout next season, but with Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, Colin Sandeman and Paul Chaney Jr. done after next season, this will be a need position in 2011 recruiting. It should be noted that Martin-Manley is the only receiver Iowa took this season.

Links -- Yes, early in recruiting Martin-Manley was headed to Bowling Green, via Burney's Bites (this guy sounds fascinating). . . . Here's an extensive signing day piece from Marty Budner of the Observer & Eccentric. . . . Here's a story from Geoff Mott of the Oakland Press on a record day for KMM. . . . And here's one more from MiPrepZone.com.

Bio -- From UI sports info: High school honors - - Named first team all-state as a senior after earning third team honors as a junior . . . was all-North offensive MVP as well . . . first team all-County and all-Catholic League as a junior and senior . . . Career - - holds school records for receiving yards in a game (177), punt return yards in a game (103), career touchdown receptions (20), longest reception (93) and career receiving yards (1,525) . . . helped prep team post three-year record of 21-11, earning three straight appearances in state playoffs . . . had 43 receptions for 745 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior, along with 14 KO returns for 314 yards and 12 punt returns for 199 yards . . . collected 34 receptions for 610 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior, along with 199 yards and two scores on 10 punt returns and 262 yards on 13 KO returns . . . had 170 yards and one touchdown on 16 receptions as a sophomore . . . earned three varsity letters as wide receiver and defensive back and four basketball letters.

Personal - - Born 10/22/92 . . . pre-business major . . . earned Outstanding Academic Award for math and English . . . parents are Leanna Martin and Kevin Manley . . . high school coach was Albert Fracassa.

Ferentz on -- He didn't speak directly about KMM, which is OK. Ferentz did, however, talk about next year's recruiting needs. I believe you'll see a few receivers. He was asked if skill positions would take priority in '11: "Yeah, maybe not as much with the defensive line, though. Although, we're graduating three pretty good players. We'll probably hit that pretty hard and the offensive line for sure we'll hit hard because again we're not real senior-laden next year but I think we need to keep building.

"It's hard to play good football if you're not good up front on both sides of the football. So we're going to try to keep that as an emphasis. But I think we kind of hit the areas we need to hit and tight end is going to be important next year with Allen (Reisner) graduating. We'll have our challenges, that's for sure."

OK, so maybe not so many skill players. I totally understand Ferentz and the whole keeping the O-line stocked. That's Iowa football.

Projection is fun -- Unless KMM has a phenomenal camp, I see redshirt. Iowa has good depth at receiver next season. Here's the list ahead of an incoming freshman: DJK, Marvin McNutt, Colin Sandeman, Paul Chaney (probably, remember the ACL?), Keenan Davis, Jordan Cotton and a few walk-ons including Don Nordmann.

Injury could open a door, but that's a lot of bodies to climb.