Hawkeyes land big commitment
The Hawkeyes have already added two commitments this past week and today landed another big one as four-star wide receiver Keenan Davis gave his verbal pledge. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Davis, who attends Cedar Rapids Washington, has long held Iowa at the top of his list and decided to make the call to the coaching staff and end his recruiting this afternoon.
"I committed to Iowa," said Davis. "About 15 minutes ago, I called Coach Ferentz and told him the news. Then I talked to all the other coaches and they were really excited."
In committing to Iowa, Davis chose the Hawkeyes over scholarship offers from Illinois, Oklahoma, Colorado, Arizona State, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Minnesota, Kansas, Kansas State, and Cincinnati. In the end, the wide receiver, who Rivals.com ranks among the top 250 recruits in the nation, felt most comfortable with the in-state school, who was the first program to offer over a year ago.
"When I was a sophomore and they offered me, I went there to visit and talked to all the coaches and we hit it off right away," Davis said. "Then I've just been visiting Iowa a lot, I think maybe seven times, and I really enjoy all the coaches. They're really good people."
As a junior, Davis caught 81 passes for 1,160 yards and 12 touchdowns in earning first team all-state honors. The four-star prospect looks forward to improving his skills under Iowa's new wide receivers coach Erik Campbell, who he has gotten to know well over the past few months.
"I remember I visited Coach Campbell the first day he was in the office and we had a long conversation where I really got to know him," said Davis. "I found out that his dad actually coached my dad in high school track, so that was a really good family connection. He's just an outgoing guy and I really like being around him. I know he can make me a really good player."
In addition to Coach Campbell, Davis has a very good relationship with Iowa's lead recruiter Reese Morgan and head coach Kirk Ferentz. Along with the coaching staff, the close distance to home helped the Hawkeyes win the battle for his services.
"I really wanted to be close to home and it's 20 minutes away, so my family can come see me whenever they want," Davis said. "I just feel really comfortable with all of the coaches. I have a good relationship with every single one of them and I think I'll fit in on the team really well."
Now, Davis' attention turns to the upcoming season as he looks to improve on Cedar Rapids Washington's 8-3 record from last year. After going undefeated in a recent 7-on-7 tournament against some of the bigger schools in the Chicago area, the wide receiver has big goals going into the year. With his decision out of the way, Davis looks forward to kicking off his senior campaign.
"I just really want to focus on my season and trying to win state," said Davis. "I don't want to have any distractions that would affect that, so I'm glad to have recruiting over with."
Davis is the fourth commitment for Iowa in the recruiting class of 2009, joining running back Brad Rogers, wide receiver Jordan Cotton, and offensive lineman Drew Clark. Rogers committed back in April while Cotton and Clark decided just this past week.
After receiving interest and scholarship offers from around the country, Davis is relieved to have the weight of his decision off his shoulders.
"I'm just relieved. I feel really happy about the decision and I'm really comfortable with it," Davis said. "It's been a good weekend."
Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes would definitely agree.