Ready to report: Matt Hankins

Incoming freshman Matt Hankins makes no bones about it. His goal is to come in and start right away this year for the Iowa Hawkeyes. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound Hankins, who will wear #8 at Iowa, discusses making the transition to college this summer, what he has heard from the Hawkeye coaching staff, and much more.

Q: When do you make the move to Iowa City this summer?

HANKINS: June 10th.

Q: What are you looking forward to in starting workouts with the team?

HANKINS: Just getting to know the guys better and starting to build that lifelong brotherhood.

Q: What are your goals for your freshman year? Are you hoping to play or expecting to redshirt?

HANKINS: My goal is to start as a freshman.

Q: Which coach have you been talking with the most since signing day?

HANKINS: Coach Parker.

Q: What has been his message?

HANKINS: He just told me to keep working out and preparing myself, so that’s what I’ve been doing.

Q: What will it mean to you to walk out of the tunnel at Kinnick Stadium for the first time?

HANKINS: It’ll be like I’m dreaming.

Q: When you look back at everything, what was it about Iowa that made it the right place for you?

HANKINS: Just the vibe of the environment and the fans, the coaches, and the players.

A three-star prospect, Hankins committed to Iowa on June 26, 2016, choosing the Hawkeyes over scholarship offers from Michigan, Texas Tech, Duke, Houston, Colorado, Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Southern Miss, SMU, Tulane, Fresno State, Connecticut, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah State, Colorado State, Toledo, Bowling Green, North Texas, Louisiana-Monroe, and UTSA.

As a senior, Hankins finished the year with 34 tackles and 13 pass breakups for Flower Mound Marcus High School this past season.

See highlights from Hankins' senior year at Marcus High School in the video below.