Beyond the pandemonium that surrounds signing day, there are a lot of players the fly under the recruiting radar that are quietly committing to walk on to play for the Iowa Hawkeyes. This week, three in-state players made commitments to attend Iowa and play football.
K - Mike Meyer:
Dubuque Walhert's star kicker, Meyer, is joining the Hawkeyes as a preferred walk-on. Meyer has a very strong leg making a 56-yard field goal this past season and 92% of his kickoffs were touchbacks. It's not likely that he'll come out ahead of both Daniel Murray and Trent Mossbrucker this upcoming season for FGs, but it is certainly a possibility on kickoffs (Murray averaged only 60.9 yards and had just 5 touchbacks).
WR - John Chelf:
Chelf was a state champion Iowa City High teammate of A.J. Derby. He had a big senior season leading his team with 43 receptions for 1,029 yards (23.9 yards/catch) and 15 TDs. His performance earned him 2nd Team All-State honors and some offers from smaller schools. Chelf decided to join Derby though and walk-on with the Hawkeyes. Though he probably won't crack the depth chart as a receiver any time soon (maybe in a few years), he certainly seems like the type of athlete that could have an impact on special teams and may earn a scholarship later in his career.
RB - Ellis Jordan:
Jordan is another Iowa City High kid and was the third piece of the puzzle on the Little Hawk's dynamic offense (QB Derby and WR Chelf being pieces 1 and 2). Jordan was also on the All-State 2nd Team after rushing for 1,500 yards and scoring 19 touchdowns (15 rushing, 4 on returns). He is not likely going to make it as a running back at Iowa where there is an abundance of talented backs already on the roster. But with his athleticism, the coaches will find him a place.