A Strong Start For Iowa

The Iowa Hawkeyes have put themselves back on the national recruiting map. Look for the Hawks to carry the momentum from 2002 right into 2003 and beyond. Iowa is back and they are here to stay.

It was a great year to be a Hawkeye in 2002. Iowa shared the Big Ten title with Ohio State, earned a BCS Bowl invitation and hauled in a very good recruiting class.

The Hawks have jumped out of gate and are flying in 2003. It’s a very good year for talent in the state of Iowa and Kirk Ferentz has commitments from two of the best defensive prospects in the state of Iowa.

Mt. Vernon’s Matt Kroul committed to the Hawks last August and he led his team to a runner-up finish in the state play-offs.

The 6-foot-2, 235-pound, linebacker is a talented three-sport star that gave Iowa a kick-start in the 2003 recruiting wars.

“Matt weighed about 215-pounds at the beginning of last season,” said Mt. Vernon Head Coach Jim Bella.

“Matt weighs about 235-pounds now and he’s definitely one of the best athletes in the state of Iowa.

“He (Kroul) finished 3rd at the state wrestling meet and he’s also a track & field guy. Matt is a big farm boy and a hard worker.

"He helps his father chop wood at their home and he does a lot of manual labor. He has a tremendous work ethic.”

We asked Jim Bella if Kroul’s commitment to Iowa is solid.

“Oh, yea.” Bella said. “Other schools have been showing interest in Matt but the University of Iowa is only about 19 miles away from Mt. Vernon.

“Matt grew up a Hawkeye fan and he’s not thinking about anything else right now except being a Hawk.

Iowa City is only a hop, skip and a jump away from home. Its important to Matt that has family and friends are able to watch him play.”

A great start indeed for Iowa and we’ll have a story on defensive end commitment Ted Bentler in the near future.