Hawks land JUCO WR Damond Powell

Since being hired last February, Iowa offensive coordinator Greg Davis has often talked about needing an upgrade in speed at the wide receiver position. In junior college standout Damond Powell, it appears that Davis may have found one of the pieces to the puzzle. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound Powell committed to the Hawkeyes today after an official visit to Iowa City over the weekend.

"I just committed to Iowa," said Powell. "I felt really comfortable there. The coaching staff and the players were great. They made me feel like it was home already."

Powell is originally from Toledo, Ohio, where he graduated from Rogers High School, but has spent the past two years at Snow Junior College in Utah. This season, he put up big numbers with 41 catches for 1,231 yards and 14 touchdowns, which led to interest from the Hawkeyes.

"Late in the season, Coach Campbell started showing some interest and told me he was going to come to our bowl game," Powell said. "He came out to New York to the Carrier Dome and I had a good game, so he said he was going to get me out there for an official visit. That's what led to this weekend."

Along with extending a scholarship offer during the visit this weekend, the Iowa coaching staff also went over how they see Powell fitting into the offense next year.

"They like my speed," said Powell, who will arrive in Iowa City next June. "Just being able to be a playmaker, catching the ball and getting yards after the catch, that's what they said they need."

Powell, who also had an offer from Ohio, says he feels relieved to have the weight of his college decision off his shoulders and looks forward to returning to the Midwest.

"It takes a lot of pressure off," Powell said. "Plus it feels really good to know that I'm going to be playing Big Ten football. Not everybody gets that opportunity. I'm blessed."