Blair Brooks discusses his decision
Marion wide receiver Blair Brooks turned down FCS scholarship offers to pursue his dream of playing for the Iowa Hawkeyes. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Brooks discusses his decision to walk on at Iowa and what all went into it, his future with the Hawkeye football and track program, and much more.
Q: Why did you decide to accept the walk-on offer at Iowa?
BROOKS: I visited all the other schools and it always came back to Iowa. It was the best opportunity for me to grow as a player and a person.
Q: How were the Iowa coaches during the recruiting process?
BROOKS: They were straight up and honest, which I loved. They said I have a bright future and hopefully I can make an impact on the team in the future.
Q: What other schools did you seriously consider?
BROOKS: I had it down to four schools: Iowa, Iowa State, Western Illinois, and South Dakota. I was also looking at Iowa just for track.
Q: Why did you decide to end the process this early?
BROOKS: Iowa told me where we were at and I felt it was the best opportunity. I wanted to get it done so I can focus on the rest of football and school.
Q: Did your visit last week to Iowa sell you on your decision?
BROOKS: I had a good idea going in what my decision was. In talking with Coach Ferentz, Coach Morgan, and Coach Copeland, that sealed the deal. It felt like home.Q: What was your favorite part of the visit?
BROOKS: The best part seeing that the coaches are excited to have me there and love for me to be a Hawkeye. Coach Kirk Ferentz invited me to camp in June. He wants me there when everyone is there. That is important to me to be with the guys. That would be an honor.
Q: What did you do during the course of the visit?
BROOKS: I got there early and met with a special player panel of Brandon Snyder and Nick Easley. They were former walk-ons who are now starters at Iowa. They were both not very highly recruited. I talked to them and all the coaches. It was nice to see where we were at and get a final decision.
Q: What did you learn from Snyder and Easley as former walk-ons?
BROOKS: They talked to me about growing up in Iowa and this being a dream come true. Brandon Snyder almost had a full ride to North Dakota State and Nick Easley had a lot of FCS offers coming out of Iowa Western. It always came back to Iowa. They wouldn’t change their decision with the memories they have made and the people that they have met.
Q: Did you family connections to Iowa play a role in your decision?
BROOKS: I tried not to let it play a role in there. I had a lot of people asking me about it. Iowa State came in at the beginning of the season and I was seriously considering them. In the end when I made my decision, it was a surreal moment to be a third generation for my family at Iowa.
Q: What did they say about your role there?
BROOKS: They just talked about how I’d get bigger in the weight room and stronger like every true freshman needs to. They have some graduating receivers and they said I’d fit in nicely with them.
Q: How are you going to split time with football and track?
BROOKS: I think we’ll get everything in place beforehand. If I’m not doing any football and can go in to track, I can do that on my own time. First comes first. Track knows that and accepts that. They have had some guys do it is in the past. I’ll go in on my own time and get some work in.
Q: How does it feel to be done with the recruiting process?
BROOKS: It is a relief. I can focus on more football and school. We got a big game Thursday against Assumption that will determine a playoff berth. We got to get ready for that.
Iowa's Class of 2018 walk-ons:
Blair Brooks- 6-foot-3, 190-pound wide receiver from Marion, IA
Connor Ruth- 6-foot-0, 215-pound fullback from Seward, NE
Turner Pallissard- 6-foot-2, 220-pound fullback from Frankfort, IL