Croot Loops — Defensive backs

Farmington Hills., Mich., defensive back Michael Ojemudia was an Eastern Michigan commitment through early January.

Then, Iowa called and offered a scholarship. So did Indiana, with Michigan where his brother, Mario, is a junior defensive end, showing late, late interest.

Ojemudia (Oh-jay-MOO-dee-uh) picked Iowa a day after Indiana offered.

'Once I visited, I knew I was going to Iowa,” Ojemudia told HawkeyeReport.com. 'It just felt like home and I could really see myself playing there for the next four years.”

Ojemudia (6-2, 190, two stars from Rivals.com) also had offers from Eastern Michigan (where he originally committed) and Wyoming.

He played inside linebacker last season and was Harrison High School's leading tackler with 105. He also had four sacks, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. He also played tight end for Harrison and is an all-stater in the 110-meter high hurdles.

Ojemudia also was recently selected to participate in the Border Classic (Michigan prep all-stars vs. Ohio).

Rivals: 2 stars Scout: 3 stars 247Sports: 3 stars Composite

: 2.66

Depth chart in 2015?:

Possibly. Iowa will replace two-year starter John Lowdermilk at strong safety. Senior Jordan Lomax will return to free safety. So, a job is open. Plus, Iowa's special teams core will need some reworking. OK, it kind of collapsed at the end of last season and 'reworking” really means the core should allow young, willing, smart, consistent players an early opportunity.

Off-the-top-of-my-head Hawkeye comparison:

Micah Hyde

Ojemudia doesn't have the apparent ball skills that Hyde had, but very similar builds and willingness to track the ball through traffic and throw his body into the physical areas.

Iowa recruiting coordinator Seth Wallace

: 'You go back and look at his tape and you're going to find someone with good size, who's aggressive. This kid will strike you. We're slotting him as a safety. His brother goes to Michigan. Michigan was dancing around with him. We were crossing our fingers heading into lunchtime (signing day) today. Then, we finally got his papers. Phil Parker [defensive coordinator] recruited him. He's spent a lot of his time in Detroit. We've got a great feeling about this kid.”

My take

: Going off the Hudl video (below), Ojemudia stays square to the ballcarrier and keeps everything in front of him. For a 6-2 linebacker on the prep level, he showed a knack for getting his pads underneath ballcarriers and winning leverage wars.

There are a few clips on kick coverage and punt team. Notice on the kick cover Ojemudia stayed in his lane and funneled the ball with his inside shoulder rather than just taking off after the ballcarrier.

You don't get a real feel for his coverage skills here. Ojemudia is very comfortable in the box and on the line of scrimmage.

l Comments: (319) 398-8256; marc.morehouse@thegazette.com