Lile announces choice
Instead of putting on a hat to announce his college choice, Detroit native Ruben Lile decided to try something a little different. Tonight, the three-star prospect played his season opener with a custom pair of cleats that declared his commitment to the Iowa Hawkeyes.
"My cleats say future Hawkeye," said Lile after the game. "I used a website where you can customize your shoes and had that done for tonight to let everybody know where I'm going. I have a hat to put on too, but if you look at my cleats you will figure it out."
Advertisement
The commitment to Iowa was a long time coming according to the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Lile. He also held scholarship offers from Wisconsin, Toledo, Purdue, Cincinnati, Vanderbilt, and several others, but more or less had made up his mind a couple months ago.
"It's the end of a long process making this decision, but really I pretty much knew where I was going back in June," Lile said. "When I got the offer and visited Iowa, I just fell in love with the place."
The only remaining question is which side of the ball the versatile Lile will play on in college. He has heard both wide receiver and safety throughout his recruiting, including from Iowa, who is going to leave the decision up to him.
"The coaches said I could choose where I want to play when I get there," said Lile. "But I think they have a bigger need in the secondary, so I'm thinking safety right now."
Lile is the tenth verbal commitment for the Hawkeyes in the Class of 2012 and the second from Detroit Cass Tech, joining teammate Laron Taylor.