Bailey and Robertson headed to NIACC

Last Friday came the news that two highly touted redshirt freshmen would be leaving the Iowa football program in Kalvin Bailey and Corey Robertson. This week, the two players found a home in Mason City, as they will be attending North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) this coming year.

"Corey Robertson just registered for classes today and Kalvin Bailey is doing the same," said NIACC head coach Scott Strohmeier. "They both will be attending NIACC this year."

Coming out of high school in 2005, Rivals.com ranked the 6-foot-0, 240-pound Bailey as a four-star prospect and No. 1 fullback in the nation. This season, the NIACC coaches plan to use the Florida native's ability to run the ball in addition to his role as a fullback.

"We're going to utilize Kalvin a lot as a one-back guy," Strohmeier said. "I think he brings a type of running back that we didn't have last season. He's a guy that can get those tough yards because for how big he is, he still runs really well."

Robertson, a 6-foot-1, 222-pound native of Denison, Texas, came to Iowa as a running back last year, but moved to strong safety this past spring. According to Strohmeier, he will continue to play primarily defense this year at the junior college level.

"We're going to play Corey at strong safety," said Strohmeier. "We might also utilize him as a return man or maybe in spots at running back, but his No. 1 position will be strong safety."

In April, Robertson was arrested for drunken driving and found trouble again in early June when he was charged with public intoxication in Iowa City. The Texas native, who visited Mason City with his parents earlier today, talked with the NIACC coaching staff about his recent troubles.

"We talked about this being his second opportunity," Strohmeier said. "I told him if he comes here, he has to keep his nose clean and get back on track because this could be his last chance."

With both players staying in-state to attend junior college, the obvious question is how interested is the Iowa coaching staff in having them possibly return to Iowa City down the road. While Strohmeier expects Iowa to take a wait and see approach, both players have made it clear that is their goal.

"They know they messed up academically and now they're hoping to get an opportunity to make it back to Iowa. They felt the best way to do that was to stay here in the state." said Strohmeier. "Their plan is to be here for one year. They didn't do that terrible, but they both definitely have some work to do."

Bailey and Robertson are part of a very talented incoming class for the NIACC coaching staff. In addition to the two former Hawkeyes, the Trojans will also add former Baylor commit Anthony Norice, as well as former Houston commit Tommy Bryant.

NIACC kicks off their 2006 schedule with a game against in-state rival Iowa Central on September 2.