In-state kicker decides
After a standout senior year, which included making a field goal from 58 yards, Mason City native Miguel Recinos had several different options for college, but decided this week that he will be walking on with the Iowa Hawkeyes. We caught up with the 6-foot-1, 173-pound Recinos talk about his decision, what made up his mind on Iowa, his future with the Hawkeyes, and much more.
Q: Why did you pick Iowa?
RECINOS: Ultimately the fact that there was a medical school on campus and a hospital surrounding that was a huge benefit to me. I was impressed by both programs (Iowa and Iowa State) but ultimately it came down to that.
Q: What other schools were in the picture for you?
RECINOS: The other schools early were Minnesota, Wisconsin, Purdue, Northern Iowa, Vanderbilt, and then of course Iowa and Iowa State.
Q: What have they said regarding your role there?
RECINOS: They expect me to compete for the positions. They have said it is wide open and there are no favorites coming in. I feel very confident in my abilities that I can go and start.
Q: Do you have a preference as far which one you like more?
RECINOS: I love both but if I had to choose, it would be kicking.
Q: What are you going to do to get ready for college football?
RECINOS: This spring, I'll be visiting with some of my position coaches that I've worked with and having them help me get my form straight. There have been a couple of gurus that have helped throughout the process.
Q: When do you plan on heading down to Iowa City?
RECINOS: For camp, I'll be reporting in August but I'll be in Iowa City from June until late July. I'll be lifting and practicing with the team. I have it worked out with the coaches where I'll be taking a class during the summer.
Q: How do you feel about the coaches at Iowa?
RECINOS: I feel like they have been extremely helpful in terms of helping me get set up going into the summer. They have been helpful there and answering all of my questions. They were very welcoming. They offered themselves as a resource and it has been outstanding being able to tap into that help during recruiting
Q: How important was the overall strength of academics being offered at Iowa help with your decision
RECINOS: One thing I'll tell you is that with the medical school there, you can make some of very important connections with the physicians that are there. I was able to visit with an orthopedic doctor at the hospital and he said he would gladly give me the opportunity to work in his lab. Building those connections will be essential when applying for medical school.
Q: Is there any concern at all time wise with juggling football and academics?
RECINOS: I'd say it is going to take a little time getting used but that being said the football program cares a lot about academics. They will offer any help for you to succeed. I would just have to go to Coach Ferentz and say I need help and he would find someone that would help me if I'm struggling. I'm not really concerned because I've always been a strong student and a good studier.
As a senior, Recinos made 10/16 field goals with a long of 58 yards. He also connected on 18/20 PAT's and had 34 touchbacks on kickoffs. As a punter, Recinos had a 43.7 yard average.
Iowa's 2014 walk-on class now includes:
Miguel Recinos - 6-foot-1, 173-pound P/K from Mason City, IA (Mason City)
Jake Gervase - 6-foot-1, 190-pound DB from Davenport, IA (Assumpton)
Dalton Ferguson - 6-foot-4, 315-pound OL from Solon, IA (Solon)
Jacob Sobotka - 6-foot-3, 215-pound LB from Mount Ayr, IA (Mount Ayr)
Zach Johnson - 6-foot-3, 245-pound LS from Minnetonka, MN (Hopkins)
Eric Grimm - 6-foot-2, 200-pound LB from Olney, MD (Good Counsel)
Brandon Snyder - 6-foot-0, 190-pound DB from Inwood, IA (West Lyon)
Sam Brincks - 6-foot-5, 221-pound DE from Carroll, IA (Kuemper Catholic)