Kittle thrilled with Iowa opportunity

The phone rang this morning at the Kittle household and on the other line was Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz. The news that he had nearly brought George Kittle to his knees as Ferentz was offering him a scholarship to play football for the University of Iowa.

"I'm a little excited to say the least," Kittle said with a laugh. "Coach Ferentz called today and said they had a couple of offers out and if they didn't get accepted that I would get an offer. The last two guys didn't accept and they called and extended an offer about 15 minutes ago."

Kittle's father, Bruce, is an assistant coach at Oklahoma for Bob Stoops since 2010. Prior to that, he was a graduate assistant and player for the Hawkeyes under Hayden Fry and the family lived in the state of Iowa. For George Kittle it means he gets to return to his roots.

"I am so excited to be coming home again, plus my cousin, Henry Kreiger-Coble, plays on the team as well."

As you could imagine, even though his allegiance lies with the Sooners these days, Bruce Kittle is one proud father today seeing his son follow in his footsteps to Iowa City.

"He is ecstatic right now. He is smiling from ear to ear and is thrilled that I will be able to play for Iowa. Most of all, he is just happy for me and this opportunity."

Kittle says that he camped at Iowa the last two years and went to a lot of Hawkeye games over the years. He says that his father projects him at a couple of spots, but the Iowa coaches haven't made any firm decisions.

"My dad imagines me as a tight end or an outside linebacker at the college level," Kittle said. "Coach Ferentz said we would figure it out once I got there and that he isn't worried about it."

This past season, Kittle played wide receiver and defensive back at Norman High School in Norman, Oklahoma. The quarterback for the 6-foot-4 and 200 pound Kittle was none other than Zach Long, the son of former Iowa signal caller, Chuck Long.

Kittle said he really doesn't need an official visit to Iowa, having grown up around the Iowa program, but he would be happy to take one at a later date. Had the Iowa offer not come in on signing day he was likely headed to Weber State.