Corrales loves Iowa visit
After picking up a scholarship offer from the Hawkeyes this past week, Texas wide receiver Beau Corrales was in Iowa City for a two day visit over the weekend. Afterwards, we caught up with the 6-foot-4, 205-pound Corrales to talk about the trip, if he might be close to committing to the Hawkeyes, and much more.
Q: First, can you kind of take us through your weekend in Iowa City and what all you got to do?
CORRALES: Yesterday, we got in, and we have some family friends that used to live in Georgetown (TX), but now they live in Iowa City, so they picked us up at the airport and took us out to eat. Then we checked into our hotel and headed over to the football facilities at about 3:30 PM. There, we got a chance to eat a little bit and talk to Coach Barnes and got a quick tour of the facilities.
Then we walked over to Kinnick and we got to be on the field during the warm ups. I got to talk to Coach Kennedy and Coach Davis a little bit while we were down there on the field. I also got to talk to some of the other recruits, like Oliver Martin, a little bit too. After that, we watched the game from our seats in the end zone and that was pretty much it for the night.
This morning, we went and ate breakfast and then got back to the athletic complex at about 10 AM. That’s when we got a more in-depth tour and got to talk with the admissions office and got to figure out what it would be like managing classes with football and everything. Then we got to talk to the strength and conditioning coach. After that, we got to make our way around the locker room and check out all of the facilities. Then we got to meet with Coach Ferentz and talk to him and talk to Coach Kennedy again. Then Coach Barnes showed us around campus and downtown Iowa City and let us see everything to get a feel for what campus life is like. After that, that was about it.
Q: So a lot to take in and busy couple of days.
CORRALES: Yes, it’s been a very busy couple of days, but I’ve enjoyed it a lot. It was definitely worth it.
Q: Overall, what did you take away from the visit? What was your first impression of Iowa?
CORRALES: I loved it. It’s been so great. Every single person that I’ve met so far has just been completely genuine. I love the people, I love the program, and everyone has been great. I like how much they value good character, so I respect that a lot about their program. Also, I respect that they do take chances and offer guys like me that aren’t big names or at the top of every ESPN list out there. I respect that and I’m grateful that they are taking a chance on me.
Q: What is the opportunity like if you were to go there?
CORRALES: They told me they’ll give me one promise and that promise is just an opportunity. They’ll give me the opportunity to play, the opportunity to develop, and the opportunity to grow as a player and a person. Once I get there, they’re going to give me the tools that I need to succeed. From there, it’s up to me to use those tools. If I want to become a starter my freshman year, then the opportunity is there if you seize it. Anything and everything is possible, but you’ve got to be ready to work for it there.
Q: Leaving there today, what is your overall impression of Iowa at this point?
CORRALES: Well, I mean obviously I love it. It’s my only Power 5 offer and I have a bunch of friends going there, so obviously committing is definitely in mind for me but I honestly have no clue when. I’m kind of just feeling my way through this recruiting process again, but I definitely do love the program a lot and it’s something definitely in my mind.
Q: What is the thought process right now? Just kind of take a breath and let things settle a little first?
CORRALES: Yeah, pretty much. With my senior season starting back up, I’ve had multiple schools come back into contact, so I feel like it’s just starting back up. I just need to be able to take a second to re-evaluate everything that’s going on right now to be able to make a smarter decision.
Q: Is that kind of how you left it with the Iowa coaches?
CORRALES: Yeah. They know that I’ll be keeping in touch with them. They told me that they want me there and want me on the roster. The decision is just up to me and whenever I feel comfortable.
Q: They had kind of told you before they basically want two more receivers, you and Oliver Martin, right?
CORRALES: Yeah. They told me they want to take four receivers and in their mind those four are the two that they have now obviously and then they want me and Oliver.
Q: Did you talk about that with Oliver when you met him?
CORRALES: It was kind of more just getting to know each other. That was my first time talking to him, so we just talked about the schools that he’s interested in and talked about the school’s that I’ve visited and just got to know each other a little more.
Q: Who are the other new schools that have contacted you this season?
CORRALES: Since my senior year began, it’s been mostly Wisconsin and Indiana. I think Indiana is sending a coach out this week actually. It’s been those two Big Ten schools besides Iowa that have contacted me mainly. Wisconsin and Indiana would both be in the running for my choices, so if those two schools are serious about offering then I want to make sure to take all of my options seriously and look into all of them.
Q: Is there any timetable where you would like to have this all wrapped up?
CORRALES: It’s too early to say, I think. I’m sure as these next few weeks come on, I’ll probably be able to come up with timeframe, but right now I just need to wait and see what all is going on.
Through three games this season, Corrales has 32 catches for 365 yards and five touchdowns for Georgetown (TX) High School.
See highlights from his 191-yard, 3-touchdown performance in the season opener here: