Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Hawkeye Commit Number 24 - George Kittle

George Kittle


Athlete


6-4, 200, Freshman


Norman, Oklahoma

(Norman HS)

Bio Coming Soon...


Hawkeye Commit Number 23 - Kevin Buford

Kevin Buford


Defensive Back


5-10, 170, Freshman


Canton, Mich.

(Canton HS)

High school honors - -
Earned first team all-state, all-metro and all-conference honors as a senior . . . second team all-state as a junior . . . first team all-conference and all-metro as a junior . . . first team all-conference as a sophomore . . . Career - - three-year varsity letterman as wide receiver and defensive back, while also used on punt and Kickoff returns . . . helped prep team advance to state playoffs four straight seasons . . . team captain as a senior . . . totaled 891 all-purpose yards and eight touchdowns as a senior . . . also had three punt returns for 104 yards and one touchdown . . . recorded 29 tackles on defense, with one interception return for a touchdown . . . as a junior rushed 97 times for 1,106 yards, averaging 100.5 yards per game . . . also had three receptions for 97 yards and collected 35 tackles and one fumble recovery on defense.
Personal - - Born 4/12/94 . . . business major . . . parents are Tamika Higgins and Kevin Buford, Sr. . . . high school coach was Tim Baechler.
 

Hawkeye Commit Number 22 - Reid Sealby

Reid Sealby


Offensive Lineman

6-5, 250, Freshman


Byron, Ill.

(Byron)

Bio  coming soon..


Hawkeye Commit Number 21 - Drew Ott

Drew Ott


Defensive Lineman


6-4, 245, Freshman


Trumbull, Neb.

(Giltner HS)

High school honors - -
Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior . . . named to Parade All-America team, the 21st Nebraska high school player to earn the distinction . . . earned first team all-state honors for three straight years after earning honorable mention recognition as a freshman . . . four-time first team all-district selection . . . Career - - helped prep team post 41-6 record over four years . . . team was state runner-up in 2009 and reached state semifinals in 2008 and 2010, before falling in quarterfinals in 2011 . . . holds school records for single season (211) and career tackles (626) . . . recorded 122 tackles as a senior, with two interceptions and two recovered fumbles . . . 52 receptions as a senior for 960 yards and 18 touchdowns, along with two rushing touchdowns and a passing touchdown . . . as a junior recorded 136 tackles and one interception, along with 31 receptions for 513 yards and eight touchdowns . . . school-record 211 tackles as a sophomore, with four interceptions and two fumble recoveries . . . 39 receptions for 480 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore . . . as a freshman had 15 receptions for 126 yards and 157 tackles . . . team captain as a junior and senior . . . four-year football letterman while playing tight end, offensive line, quarterback, linebacker and defensive end . . . also earned four letters in basketball and track.
Personal - - Born 6/26/93 . . . criminal law/civil engineering major . . . named “Mr. Football” on Nebraska Academic All-State team . . .  member of National Honor Society . . . parents are Sheree and Dan Ott . . . high school coach was Jeff Ashby.
 

Hawkeye Commit Number 20 - Greg Mabin

Greg Mabin (MAY-bin)


Wide Receiver


6-2, 190, Freshman


Plantation, Fla.

(Calvary Christian Academy)

High school honors - -
Selected to participate in Broward Beach Bowl (private vs. public schools) as a senior and earned Championship Performance Award . . . earned first team all-county honors on offense as a senior and second team honors on defense . . . honorable mention all-state as a junior and second team as a sophomore . . . second team all-county as a sophomore and junior . . . Career - - earned three varsity letters while playing wide receiver and defensive back and kick returner . . . totaled 877 yards and 15 touchdowns on 52 receptions as a senior, with one rushing touchdown and two interceptions and a touchdown on defense . . . had 59 receptions for 1,094 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior, with one KO return touchdown and two interceptions . . . 42 receptions for 906 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore, with one interception also had punt return touchdown that led to win over fourth-ranked team in the state . . . team captain as a junior and senior . . . earned two letters in basketball and track . . . holds school records in 100 and 200 meter dashes.
Personal - - Born 6/25/94 . . . exercise science major . . . member of Principal’s Honor Roll . . . parents are Dr. Wesley and Arlette Mabin . . . high school coach was Kirk Hoza.
 

Hawkeye Commit Number 19 - Anthony Gair

Anthony Gair


Defensive Back


6-2, 195, Freshman


Plano, Texas

(Prestonwood Christian)

High school honors - -
Earned all-district honors as a junior and senior . . . Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore . . . Career - - four-year letterman as defensive back . . . member of state championship team as a sophomore and junior . . . recorded 122 tackles, two sacks and one interception as a senior . . . 116 tackles, three sacks and an interception as a junior . . . recorded 185 tackles as a sophomore, including 102 solo stops . . . also three-year track letterman, competing in sprints and relays . . . state champion in 400 meter dash.
Personal - - Born 5/18/94 in New Orleans . . . business major . . . member of prep Honor Roll . . . graduated Cum Laude . . . earned Academic Achievement Award . . . parents are Raquel Gair and Rodney Morgan . . . high school coach was Chris Cunningham.
 

Hawkeye Commit Number 18 - Daumantas Venckus-Cucchiara

Daumantas Venckus-Cucchiara
(DOE-mahn-tis VINS-koos koo-CHAR-uh)


Defensive Lineman


6-5, 230, Freshman


Weston, Fla. (Cypress Bay HS)


High school honors - -
Named second team all-state as defensive end and third team all-state as offensive lineman as a senior . . . named to all-Broward County team on defense as a senior, as selected by coaches . . . selected first team all-county by Miami Herald and Sun Sentinel . . . named to first team Under Armor All-Star team  . . . Career - - earned four letters while playing tight end and defensive end . . . helped team advance to state playoffs as a junior and senior . . . team captain as a senior . . . set school record with eight fumble recoveries as a senior . . . recorded 105 tackles as a senior, with 16 sacks, six caused fumbles, eight recovered fumbles and one touchdown . . . also had 28 tackles for loss, 22 pressures and 10 pass break-ups . . . also lettered in wrestling and track.
Personal - - Born 3/23/94 in Klaipeda, Lithuania . . . open major . . . four-year member of President’s List . . . parents are Violeta and Matt Cucchiara . . . high school coach was Marc Guandolo.


Hawkeye Commit Number 17 - Faith Ekakitie

Faith Ekakitie (ee-KACK-uh-tee)


Defensive Lineman


6-3, 275, Freshman


Brampton, Ontario


Lake Forest, Ill. (Lake Forest, Ill. Academy)

High school honors - -
Participated in USA vs. World All-American game and selected to US Marine All-American game . . . first team all-state as a senior by both the Chicago Sun Times and Chicago Tribune . . . named first team all-Catholic League . . . Career - - earned three varsity letters as defensive lineman . . . team captain as a senior . . . collected 62 tackles as a senior, with 12 sacks, four forced fumbles and one interception . . . recorded 58 tackles as a junior, including 15 sacks, while scoring one touchdown . . . also lettered in basketball and track.
Personal - - Born 4/05/93 . . . kinesiology major . . . parents are Grace and Jimoh Ekakitie . . . high school coach was Ted Stewart.
 

Hawkeye Commit Number 16 - Nate Meier

Nate Meier (MYER)


Athlete


6-2, 235, Freshman


Tabor, Iowa

(Fremont-Mills HS)

High school honors - -
Named eight-man Player of the Year . . . first team all-state running back as a junior and senior . . . four-time first team all-district defensive lineman . . . two-time first team all-district running back. . . Career - - rushed for 2,494 yards and 57 touchdowns as a senior . . . also collected 112 tackles on defense, including 34 tackles for loss and 11 sacks . . . team captain as a senior . . . led team to state semi-finals as a junior . . . led team to a state championship as a senior . . . led prep team to state championship and undefeated season as a senior . . . set the Iowa rushing record for yards in a game (501) and touchdowns in a game (10) during the 2011 season . . . had 119 tackles and 8 tfl as a freshman . . . had 123 carries for 590 yards and 8 touchdowns as well as 115 tackles and 13 tfl as a sophomore . . . had 189 carries for 1,674 yards and 30 touchdowns as well as 126 tackles and 29 tfl as a junior . . four-year starter on the football team . . . four-time letter winner in track and basketball . . . two-time state qualifier in the 110m high hurdles.   
Personal - - Born 7/18/94 . . . business management major . . . parents are Rodney and Pixie Meier . . . high school coach was Jeremy Christiansen.
 

Hawkeye Commit Number 15 - Sean Draper

Sean Draper (dray-per)


Defensive Back


6-0, 175, Freshman


Cleveland, Ohio.

(Glenville HS)

Bio coming soon...


Hawkeye Commit Number 14 - Laron Taylor

Laron Taylor (luh-RON)


Linebacker


6-0, 215, Freshman


Detroit, Mich.
 
(Cass Technical HS)

High school honors - -
Earned first team all-state honors as a senior . . . was first team all-Metro as a junior and senior . . . earned all-City honors as a sophomore and junior . . . Career - - three-year starter while helping team win state title as a senior with 12-3 record . . . team posted 12-1 record as a junior, advancing to state semifinals . . . team captain as junior and senior . . . led team in tackles for three straight seasons . . . recorded 120 tackles as a senior, with 20 tackles for loss, two sacks and a recovered fumble . . . 105 tackles as a junior, with 24 tackles for loss, four sacks, two recovered fumbled and an interception . . . recorded 75 tackles as a sophomore, with 20 tackles for loss, five sacks, four forced fumbles, one interception and one touchdown.
Personal - - Born 12/06/93 . . . broadcast and journalism major . . . parents are Deirdre and Ronnie Taylor . . . high school coach was Thomas Wilcher.
 

Hawkeye Commit Number 13 - Barkley Hill

Barkley Hill


Running Back


6-0, 210, Freshman


Denver, Iowa
 
(Cedar Falls HS)

High school honors - -
Named to Parade All-America team as a senior . . . ESPN Iowa Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior . . . named Offensive Player of the Year by the Cedar Rapids Gazette . . . candidate for 2011 Ed Thomas Award . . . named first team running back on Des Moines Register Elite all-state team as junior and senior . . . first team all-state by Iowa Newspaper Association as junior and senior . . . Class 4A all-state team captain as a senior . . . first team all-Mississippi Valley Conference and conference Most Valuable Player as junior and senior . . .  named third team all-state as a sophomore . . . first team all-conference as a sophomore . . . Career - - earned three letters as running back, linebacker and punter . . . team captain as a junior and senior . . . rushed for over 6,000 yards and 89 touchdowns in three seasons . . . helped prep team post three-year mark of 30-6, reaching state playoffs each year and advancing to semifinals as a senior . . . holds school records for touchdowns in a game (six) and season (40) . . . holds school, conference and state record with 89 career touchdowns . . . 316 attempts for 2,493 yards and 40 touchdowns as a senior, leading Cedar Falls to an 11-2 record as a senior . . . rushed 230 times for 1,795 yards and 26 touchdowns as a junior . . . gained 1,839 yards and scored 23 touchdowns on 238 rushing attempts as a sophomore . . . also three-year letterman in track, competing in sprints, high jump and long jump . . . member of 400-meter relay team that holds school record (42.07).
Personal - - Born 11/27/93 . . . open major . . . parents are Kathy and Johnny Hill . . . high school coaches were Pat Mitchell and Brad Remmert.
 

Hawkeye Commit Number 12 - CJ Beathard

C.J. Beathard (BETH-urd)


Quarterback


6-2, 175, Freshman


Franklin, Tenn.

(Battle Ground Academy)

High school honors - -
started at qb since sophomore year . . . team mvp as a junior and region mvp as a junior . . . all region & 2nd team all-state as a junior . . . lead state in passing yards as a junior . . . all region and team mvp as a senior . . . lead state in passing yards, completions and td’s as a senior . . . team captain as a senior . . . lead team to playoffs as a sophomore, junior and senior . . . was the starting qb and co-captain for the west team in the 2011 tennessee all-star game . . . Career - - passed for 2,148 yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior . . . totaled 2,408 yards and 19 touchdowns as a junior . . . passed for over 300 yards in two games as a junior . . . led team to D-II-AA state semifinals as a junior . . . pass for 900 yards and 8 touchdowns as sophomore in just 5 games.
Personal - - Born 11/16/93 . . .  major . . . academic honors . . . parents are Casey and Susan Beathard . . . member of the National Honor Society . . . member of Mu Alpha Theta . . . high school coach was Roc Batten.
 

Hawkeye Commit Number 11 - Tevaun Smith

Tevaun Smith (TAE-vagn)


Wide Receiver


6-0, 185, Freshman


Toronto, Ontario
 
(Kent School, Conn.)

High school honors - -
Named first team all-conference and all-New England as a senior . . . Career - - led team to undefeated regular season before losing in state championship game . . . team Most Valuable Player . . . recorded 16 receptions for 241 yards and five touchdowns in seven games as a senior . . . also had 79 yards on six kickoff returns, with one touchdown . . . rushed 58 times for 555 yards and six touchdowns and completed 17-of-42 pass attempts for 213 yards and two scores . . . recorded 19 tackles on defense, with two interceptions, five pass break-ups, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick.
Personal - - Born 1/30/93 . . . undecided major . . . liberal arts interest . . . parents are Maureen Smith and Denzel Forbes . . . high school coach was Todd Marble.
 

Hawkeye Commit Number 10 - Greg Garmon

Greg Garmon


Running Back


6-1, 200, Freshman


Erie, Pa.

(McDowell HS)

High school honors - -
selected to compete in Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl following senior season . . . earned first team all-state honors as a senior after being named second team as a junior . . . first team all-conference as a junior and senior . . . Career - - three-year letterman in football, helping prep team post a 23-9 record . . . career totals include 2,859 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns . . . rushed for 1,050 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior . . . had 11 touchdowns and 1,225 rushing yards as a junior . . . rushed for 584 yards and seven touchdowns as a sophomore . . . also three-year letterman in track.
Personal - - Born 12/26/92 . . . open major . . . parents are Noelle and Mike Colpoys . . . high school coach was Mark Soboleski.
 

Hawkeye Commit Number 9 - Maurice "Reese" Fleming

Maurice Fleming


Defensive Back


6-0, 185, Freshman


Chicago, Ill.

(Curie Metropolitan HS)

High school honors - -
Earned all-state honors as a senior . . . was first team all-conference and all-city as a junior after earning second team all-conference honors as a sophomore . . . Career - - earned four letters as defensive back and quarterback . . . team won Chicago Public League title in 2010 and advanced to state playoffs four straight years . . . team captain as a junior and senior . . . completed 19-of-29 passes for 273 yards and three touchdowns as a senior, while rushing for 103 yards and a touchdown and recording 15 tackles and one interception on defense . . . as a junior rushed for 1,003 yards and 17 touchdowns while completing 165-of-265 passes for 2,011 yards and 18 touchdowns . . . recorded 47 tackles and three interceptions on defense . . . as a sophomore completed 102-of-198 passes for 1,409 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushed for 502 yards and 11 scores . . . rushed 49 times for 195 yards and a touchdown as a freshman . . . also lettered in basketball and track
Personal - - Born 12/06/93 . . . open major . . . mother is Rochelle Harper . . . high school coach was Tyson LeBlanc.

Hawkeye Commit Number 8 - Mitch Keppy

Mitch Keppy


Offensive Lineman


6-5, 290, Freshman


Port Byron, Ill.

(Riverdale HS)

High school honors - -
Named to Max Prep All-America team . . . first team all-state as a senior . . . named to all-area team four straight years by Moline Dispatch . . . named to first team and team captain on all-Western Illinois team by Quad City Times . . . first team all-conference on both offense and defense as a senior . . . first team all-conference on defense as a sophomore and junior after earning second team as a freshman . . . second team all-conference on offense as sophomore and junior after earning honorable mention honors as a freshman . . . Career - - four-year varsity letterman as offensive and defensive lineman . . . helped prep team reach state playoffs as sophomore and senior . . . team captain as junior and senior . . . recorded 69 tackles as a senior, with four tackles for loss and two sacks . . . also had two recovered fumbles and scored one touchdown . . . recorded 106 tackles as a junior, 73 tackles as a sophomore and 56 tackles as a freshman . . . also competed in baseball and wrestling, earning first team all-conference honors in wrestling . . . placed second in state wrestling meet as a sophomore and junior.

Personal - -
Born 8/21/93 in Davenport, Iowa . . . open major . . . member of prep Honor Roll . . . parents are Lori and Myron Keppy . . . father was a former Hawkeye lineman (1985-88) . . . high school coach was Nick Schroder.

Highlight Coming Soon.
 

Hawkeye Commit Number 7 - Jaleel Johnson

Jaleel Johnson


Defensive Lineman


6-4, 300, Freshman


Westchester, Ill.

(Montini Catholic HS)

High school honors - -
Earned prep All-America recognition as a senior . . . first team all-state, all-conference and all-area as a senior in only season at Montini Catholic . . . first team all-area as a junior at St. Joseph’s High School . . . Career - - three-year starter as offensive and defensive lineman . . . helped prep team post 12-2 record as a senior while winning state championship . . . team captain as a senior . . . recorded 80 tackles as a senior, including five tackles for loss, three sacks and nine pressures . . . also earned two letters as a heavyweight wrestler.
Personal - - Born 7/12/94 in Brooklyn, N.Y. . . . sociology major . . . member of prep Honor Roll . . . parents are Tina and Ralph Johnson . . . high school coach was Chris Andriano.
 

Hawkeye Commit Number 6 - Connor Kornbrath

Connor Kornbrath (KORN-brayth)


Kicker / Punter


6-6, 215, Freshman


Bridgeport, W.V.

(Bridgeport HS)

High school honors - -
Earned first team all-state and all-conference honors as a junior and senior . . .  . . . Career - - holds school records for longest field goal (51 yards as a junior), field goals in a season (nine as a senior), field goals in a playoff game (three) and longest field goal in a playoff game (48 yards) . . . set state playoff record for longest field goal (48 yards) and most field goals in a game (three) . . . helped prep team post 38-3 record over final three seasons . . . made 9-of-14 field goal attempts as a senior, with a long of 49 yards . . . also made 54-of-56 PATs . . . one game-winning field goal of 34 yards . . . averaged 39.5 yards punting with a long of 54 yards and 35 of 73 kickoffs were touchbacks . . . converted 7-of-12 field goals as a junior, with a long of 51 yards, and 36-of-40 PATs . . . punting average of 37.1 yards, with a long of 48 yards . . . connected on two game-winning field goals (33 and 44 yards) . . . three-year letterman in football and basketball and one in soccer . . . team co-captain in both football and basketball . . .
Personal - - Born 9/15/93 in New Britain, Conn. . . . sports journalism major . . . member of prep Highest Honor Roll and member of National Honor Society . . . parents are Barbara and Brian Kornbrath . . . high school coach was Josh Nicewarner.
 

Hawkeye Commit Number 5 - Cameron Wilson

Cameron Wilson


Wide Receiver


6-1, 195, Freshman


Dublin, Ohio

(Jerome HS)

High school honors - -
Named to all-metro team in Columbus area . . . was honorable mention all-state as a senior and sophomore and second team as a junior . . . first team all-conference as a junior and first team as a sophomore and senior . . . honorable mention all-conference as a freshman . . . Career - - holds school records for receiving yards and touchdowns . . . recorded 54 receptions for 774 yards and six touchdowns as a senior, with one passing touchdown and 300 rushing yards . . . 77 receptions for 1,065 yards and six touchdowns as a junior, with 200 rushing yards and three touchdowns and one interception on defense . . . totaled 661 yards and six touchdowns on 60 receptions as a sophomore, along with 130 rushing yards and a touchdown . . . collected 350 receiving yards and 265 rushing yards as a freshman . . . also four-year starter for prep basketball team.
Personal - - Born 9/17/93 . . . business communications major . . . member of high school Merit Roll . . . parents are Candace and Kenneth Wilson . . . high school coach was Mark Hundley.
 

Hawkeye Commit Number 4 - Ryan Ward

Ryan Ward


Offensive Lineman


6-5, 275, Freshman


New Lenox, Ill.

(Providence Catholic HS)

High school honors - -
Named an Army All-American . . . first team all-state, all-conference and all-area as a senior . . .  . . . Career - - four-year letterman as offensive lineman . . . helped prep team to state playoffs as sophomore and senior, including state runner-up finish as a sophomore . . . team captain as a senior . . . also two-year wrestling letterman.
Personal - - Born 8/07/93 . . . health and human physiology major . . . Illinois Coaches Association Academic All-State . . . member of National Honor Society . . . AP Scholar . . . member of prep High Honor roll . . . parents are Laurel and Brian Ward . . . high school coach was Mark Loglianese.
 

Hawkeye Commit Number 3 - Eric Simmons

Eric Simmons


Offensive Line


6-2, 295, Sophomore


Madrid, Iowa (Madrid HS)


Iowa Western CC

Hawk-Item - - Enrolled in spring semester classes and will participate in spring practice. 
Junior College - - Played one season at Iowa Western Community College . . . earned first team all-conference honors in his only season . . . earned academic all-region recognition . . . junior college coach was Scott Strohmeier. 
High school honors - - Earned first team all-state honors for three straight years . . . was first team all-conference for three years after earning honorable mention recognition as a freshman . . . named to All-Toyota of Des Moines team as a senior . . . Career - - four-year letterman as offensive and defensive lineman and linebacker . . . helped prep team reach state semifinals for three straight seasons before advancing to title game as a senior . . . helped prep team compile 46-6 record over four seasons, establishing school record for four-year period . . . team captain as a senior . . . as a senior recorded 80 tackles, including seven tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries . . . also earned four letters in track and baseball and three in basketball . . . holds school (60-0) and conference records (58-11) in the shot put . . . won Drake Relays title in the shot put. 
Personal - - Born 8/26/92 . . . civil engineering major . . . Presidential Scholar . . . parents are Cherri and Steve Simmons . . . high school coach was Randy Hinkel.
 

Hawkeye Commit Number 2 - Cody Sokol

Cody Sokol (SO-kul)


Quarterback


6-2, 215, Junior


Phoenix, Ariz.

(Scottsdale CC)
(Desert Vista HS)
 

Hawk-Item - - Enrolled in spring semester classes and will participate in spring practice.
Junior college - - First team all-conference and all-region as a sophomore, along with earning second team All-America honors . . . named Region Player of the Year as a sophomore and was also all-region as a freshman . . . passed for 3,807 yards and 43 touchdowns as a sophomore, completing 253-of-424 attempts, with 10 interceptions . . . set school records for single game passing yardage (542) and touchdowns (seven) . . . passed for 2,443 yards and 24 touchdowns as a freshman . . . junior college coach was Doug Madoski.
High school honors - - First team all-region and first team all-conference as a junior . . . Career - - played in just three games as a senior due to injury . . . earned three varsity letters while playing quarterback, linebacker and defensive back . . . team captain as a senior . . . named U.S. Air Force Player of the Week before being injured . . . completed 45-of-87 passes for 728 yards and five touchdowns as a senior, with three interceptions . . . as a junior completed 96-of-181 pass attempts for 1,419 yards and 16 touchdowns, with seven interceptions . . . also lettered in basketball and baseball.
Personal - - Born 3/19/92 in Des Moines, Iowa . . . business major . . . three-year member of prep Honor Roll . . . parents are mother is Kim Sokol . . . high school coach was Dan Hinds.

Hawkeye Commit Number 1 is in... Ruben Lile

Ruben Lile

Defensive Back

6-3, 200, Freshman

Detroit, Mich.
(Cass Technical HS)

High school honors - -
Earned first team all-state and all-metro honors as a senior . . . was second team all-city and all-metro as a junior . . . Career - - started two years as defensive back and wide receiver, while also handled kicking duties as a prep . . . helped prep team win state title as a senior with 12-3 overall record . . . prep team was 12-1 as a junior, reaching state semifinals . . . as a senior recorded 50 receptions for 800 yards and 12 touchdowns, while collecting 87 tackles and 25 pass break-ups on defense . . . as a junior totaled 470 yards and four touchdowns on 25 receptions, while collecting 47 tackles, two interceptions and 20 pass break-ups on defense . . . had 32 touchbacks while handling kicking duties as a junior.
Personal - - Born 9/27/94 . . . pre-med major . . . member of prep Honor Roll . . . parents are Robin Lile and George Bass . . . high school coach was Thomas Wilcher.