Mark Ingram, the 5-foot-10, 202-pound three-star running back from Southwestern Academy in Flint, Mich., just returned yesterday from his official visit to Iowa.
"It was really more than I expected," Ingram said of his experience on the Hawkeye campus. "I thought it was gonna be all country, but it's a really nice place with lots to do. Also the coaches are great and I got along well with all the players. We got to go to their football banquet, which was a lot of fun. It was at the Marriott in Iowa City and everyone got all dressed up. It was cool seeing the players getting awards and having fun together."
Ingram's host for the Hawkeyes was freshman quarterback Marvin McNutt. "The thing that stood out the most was the people," he said. "I also think it would be a great opportunity for me to come in and play early because they really need help at running back."
Despite his positive impression of Iowa, his top choice is still Michigan State. The Spartans continue to lead slightly over Iowa, Wisconsin, Alabama and Illinois. All of his favorites have offered.
He visited the Spartans on Dec. 1. "I love how all the players at Michigan State are all really close," he said. "They all get along and are a team. They are all friends and I'm friends with a bunch of guys who are already on the team. I'm also pretty friendly with a lot of guys they are recruiting too. It's only about 45 minutes away, so I'm pretty comfortable there."
Ingram's Michigan State host was junior running back Javon Ringer. "I also got to spend a lot of time with (sophomore cornerback) Ross Weaver and (junior safety) Otis Wiley and they are from Flint too. We're just all pretty good friends."
Ingram, Scout.com's No. 94 running back, has also already visited Wisconsin on Nov. 9. "They are always a top team and I had a good time on my visit," he said. "The coaches are great and know how to win."
Next weekend, Dec. 14, he visits Illinois. "Illinois was really impressive this year," he said. "They lost a couple of games, but they are still really young and yet still made the Rose Bowl. That's just the beginning for them."
Ingram's final visit will be to Alabama on Jan. 11. The Tide are a recent entrant to this recruiting derby. "It's something that they came all the way to Michigan to recruit me," he said. "I know they also need running backs too and coach Nick Saban is a great coach and will have Alabama on top soon."
He says he has around 20 total offers and plans to make his decision following his Alabama trip in January. "I'm really looking for an opportunity to play early, have a good social life and get a good education," he said. "That’s what's important to me."
He reports a 3.0 core GPA and a 18 ACT.