New Jersey prospect visiting Iowa

The Iowa Hawkeyes are hosting a surprise official visitor this weekend in New Jersey prospect Mike Daniels. The 6-foot-1, 230-pound Daniels attends Highland Regional High School in Blackwood, New Jersey, where he plays for head coach Frank Plefka.

"Right now he's out at Iowa on a visit," said Plefka. "He's also hearing a lot from Temple, Pitt, and then a lot of DI-AA's."

As a senior, Daniels played defensive end, defensive tackle, and running back for Highland, who finished 4-6 on the season. Currently wrestling at 215 pounds, Plefka says the senior has brings a certain toughness to both the mat and the football field.

"He's really aggressive," Plefka said. "He has a lot of explosion off the line, good hands, quick feet, and good strength. He's benching about 330 pounds and squatting close to 600. He played running back on offense for us as well, so he can run. He's not your typical defensive lineman."

During his senior season, Daniels received interest from Villanova, Temple, and a couple other schools in the area, but this month is when things really picked up, including the contact from Iowa.

"Iowa just offered last week," said Plefka. "Kirk Ferentz actually came out to visit on Wednesday this week. He said they see him as a great player, a good student, and a good all around kid."

With signing day only a little more than a week away, Daniels hopes to make a decision soon, possibly this weekend.

"I don't think he's decided yet, but I'm pretty much expecting him to come back Sunday night and call me to tell me he's going to Iowa," Plefka said.