Hawkeyes visit California punter

The Hawkeyes’ search for a punter took them to California on Monday as assistant coach Seth Wallace visited Santa Ana native Ryan Stonehouse. According to the 5-foot-10, 170-pound Stonehouse, it was a productive meeting as the two got to know one another and he had a chance to show off his skills this morning.

"Just got done punting for him and it went great," said Stonehouse. "The punting session consisted of directional punting and situational punting."

Iowa’s interest in Stonehouse started in December and really picked up recently as the Hawkeyes look to possibly sign a scholarship punter in 2017. Right now, he is one of two they are evaluating with the other being Tennessee native Joe Doyle.

"Another coach is seeing a punter today and they are going to make a decision this week on who gets the offer," Stonehouse said.

If Iowa decides to offer, it could be the right fit for Stonehouse, who was impressed with Coach Wallace and his message about the Hawkeye football program today.

"My first impression of Coach Wallace was a down to earth coach that I could play under and talk to and learn from for the next four years," Stonehouse said. "We talked a lot about my family background and my background as a person. He told me Iowa was a place that I could strive at and he talked about their punt team and the style of punt teams they do."

Stonehouse, whose father Paul punted at Stanford, is still considering several different options whether it is a scholarship offer, grayshirt, or preferred walk-on opportunity.

"The scholarship offers I have are Wyoming, Eastern Washington, and Cornell," said Stonehouse. "UTSA is an offer that I would need to grayshirt and be put on scholarship in the spring. My preferred walk-on offers are Colorado State, Cal, and Utah State."

This past season, Stonehouse averaged 45.2 yard per punt for Mater Dei High School.

See highlights from Stonehouse’s senior year in the video below.