Simon says Iowa

One week after being "amazed" by his first visit to Iowa City, New Jersey defensive end Brandon Simon has given his verbal commitment to the Iowa Hawkeyes. The 6-foot-1, 236-pound Simon, who is a three-star prospect from Don Bosco Prep, announced his decision on Twitter this afternoon.

I'm Blessed and Honored to say that I will be furthering my education and football career at the University of Iowa pic.twitter.com/EovoArgPBi- Buwop (@Brandon_Simon_) June 26, 2015

Along with Iowa, Simon held scholarship offers from Boston College, Syracuse, East Carolina, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Army, Buffalo, James Madison, and Monmouth. He was previously scheduled to visit Syracuse this weekend, but decided to scrap those plans and give his commitment to Iowa on Friday instead.

"Iowa is a special place," Simon told HawkeyeReport.com. "After the visit, I immediately fell in love with the school. It's going to be a great place for me academically and for football. I can't wait."

Simon is commitment No. 17 for the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Class of 2016.