Class of 2020 QB building relationship with Iowa
With three early scholarship offers and interest from around the country, Class of 2020 dual-threat quarterback Roman Purcell is off to a fast start in the recruiting process. This season, the 6-foot-1, 200-pound QB from Indianapolis Cathedral was able to get out and see a number of colleges for game day visits, including a stop in Iowa City in November.
“The visit to Iowa was great,” said Purcell. “When we got there, we went straight down to the field and I found Coach Bell, who recruits my area. Then I watched the QB’s warm up and watched Coach Ferentz and Coach O'Keefe to get a feel for how they coach.”
“After the game, my parents and I went back to the football facility,” Purcell continued. “We toured the facilities and then we sat down with Coach Bell and talked about my recruiting and got to know more about each other.”
Despite Iowa’s 24-15 loss to Purdue that weekend, Purcell left town impressed with Iowa’s fan support and the game day environment at Kinnick Stadium.
“I was very impressed with Iowa,” said Purcell. “It's a great place where family comes first. The game day atmosphere was really good even though the weather was cold and the students were off on break. I can't wait to come back when the students are there.”
In his conversations with the coaches, Purcell learned more about the culture at Iowa and while the Hawkeyes have not yet offered, they remain very interested in the Class of 2020 prospect.
“Coach Bell's message and Coach Ferentz's was to keep being the type of person that they want to recruit,” Purcell said. “They said better men make better Hawkeyes and talked about how culture trumps strategy and talent.”
Recruiting coordinator Kelvin Bell has been leading Iowa’s recruiting efforts in Indianapolis with commitments from Julius Brents, D.J. Johnson, and Tyrone Tracy Jr. in the Class of 2018, and Larry Tracy in the Class of 2019. Brents, a four-star defensive back, actually has Purcell’s father, Rick, as his position coach at Warren Central High School, which also has a couple 2019 recruits that Iowa is after as well.
From what Roman Purcell has observed, it is Bell’s honesty and down to earth authenticity that has allowed him to be successful as a recruiter in the area.
“Coach Bell really wants to know you as a player,” said Purcell. “He calls everyone to find out if you are who and what you say you are. He knows that if you are not authentic that you won't fit in at Iowa. How Iowa wins is more important than if they win. They expect to win and do it the right way. He tells you how it is and doesn't hide anything. To me, that is why he's a good recruiter.”
Currently, Iowa is one of several schools watching Purcell closely along with three programs that have already offered.
“My recruiting is really picking up,” said Purcell. “I have offers from TCU, Kentucky, and Central Michigan. After that, Michigan, Michigan State, Clemson, Texas, Southern California, Alabama, LSU, and Pitt are showing the most interest.”
As a sophomore, Purcell finished with 809 yards passing and 11 touchdowns through the air and 490 yards rushing and six touchdowns on the ground for Cathedral. He looks forward to putting up even bigger numbers as a junior next year.
“My focus in the off-season is to get bigger, faster, and stronger,” said Purcell. “Then continue to develop my fundamentals and watch a lot of film.”