Complete transcript of A.J. Derby's news conference

Iowa City High quarterback A.J. Derby announced he will sign a letter of intent next February to play football at the University of Iowa.

Derby, a senior, was one of the state's most sought-after recruits in history. He had scholarship offers from Michigan, Miami, Florida, Florida State, Alabama, LSU, Oklahoma and several others, including Iowa.

Here's a transcript of his press conference, which began with a statement, and Derby pulling out an Iowa hat from a sack.

I just want to announce that I'm going to be playing for the Hawkeyes next year. And that's all I've really got to say. Any questions?

A.J. Derby talking about making the decision early in the process:

I said last week I was planning on waiting and taking my officials but over the weekend I watched the game with my family, my brother and my friends. I just felt right and I couldn't see myself playing for any other team besides Iowa.

I wasn't really cheering that much. I was just kind of observing and seeing my brother go crazy over everything. It just seemed perfect.

On calling Coach Kirk Ferentz about his decision:

I didn't call him. I went in yesterday and talked to him, sat down with him. He was excited. He stood up and gave me a hug and then I went in and told all the other coaches.

On his dad, John Derby, playing at Iowa and if it influenced his decision:

It didn't factor in. Yeah, he played there but I wanted to do my own thing. I still feel like Iowa is the best for me, not because of my family but because of the coaches are making me the best I can be.

On staying home in Iowa City:

It feels good but at the same time Mike Gatens, Matt's dad, said it feels whole different coming here. It doesn't feel like you're in the same city. So I took that into consideration into my decision.

On the status of his official visits:

I haven't taken any visits yet. I'm still planning on taking my Iowa one. That's it.

Do you still want to play quarterback?

Yes. Yes sir.

Question to John Derby: Did A.J. get his arm strength from you?

Not the arm strength, maybe the hitting. I'm very proud. They (A.J. and Zach) turned out to be great young men and it makes both Kelly and I very proud.

 Back to A.J.: Are you glad this process is over?

It's a lot less stressful. I can't stop smiling since I told Coach Ferentz. It just feels great.

I got asked every time I got interviewed. It's all right.

Looking ahead for the Iowa City High football season:

Just go game-by-game and trying to get to the final goal but we're going working hard to get there.

On telling coaches at other schools recruiting him:

I've talked to a few coaches so far and they all wished me luck. They were very classy about it and they said anything they could do to help, they will.

Was there a final list of schools?

It was between Iowa, Florida and Oklahoma.

Will he enroll early at Iowa?

That's always an option. I haven't decided on that but it's still up in the air.

On Iowa's offense and how it might fit him:

I do like the Pro-Style offense a lot. Knowadays, the NFL isn't taking as many spread quarterbacks so I felt like that was a big thing. I like Coach O'Keefe and how he runs it. I just wanted to be a part of it.

Iowa City Coach Dan Sabers talking about A.J. Derby going to Iowa:

It certainly means a lot to me. I've been a Hawkeye as long as I can remember. I remember listening to Ron Gonder and Mike Reilly and people like that calling the game and you'd get really excited. To have a player of A.J.'s caliber go and join them, that's very exciting and it continues a pretty good tradition of City High players going to play over at Iowa. That's very exciting.

Sabers talking about City High's relationship with Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz:

I think it's been very positive for many reasons. Obviously the Ferentz children have gone through City High as well. I think the value systems are very similar. You get out and you go to work and you get good kids and you go to work. I think we share that value system and I think it will be a good transition and certainly has been a good transition throughout the years.

John Derby talking about staying out of the way of A.J.'s decision:

It wasn't as hard as people probably think it was because at the end of the day, you've gone through it and you know how much time you invest. It's very unfair for a father to push somebody into that because they've got to go somewhere where their heart is. As Coach Sabers and I were talking earlier, it is a business. There's a lot of time invested and if you're at the wrong place, you will be completely miserable. At the end of the day, we had to step back and he made the decision for himself and that's what we're most proud of. He ended up making his decision on his own on his own time frame. Obviously he knew I was excited for him to become a Hawk but at the end of the day I would have been excited wherever he would have went because he's an outstanding young man.

Kelly Derby on being excited her son is staying home:

Of course. Zach lives here in town but I only see him when Zach wants to see us. It's kind of our rule. We've got great people in the community surrounding us.

A.J. Derby talking about playing with former competitors Keenan Davis and others at Iowa:

He's a great athlete. Last year I had to guard him most of the game but it would be nice to throw him a ball and see what he can do with it.

What does A.J. Derby bring to the Hawkeyes?

I don't like to talk about myself so I'll let Coach Sabers answer that one.

Is he content with waiting for his chance at Iowa?

Obviously I want to play, but I'm just going to go in there and see what that brings.

Did A.J. talk about throwing the ball to his brother?

We've talked about that before. It would be cool. I couldn't miss out on an opportunity to play with him so that helped.

Was it an easy decision to go to Iowa?

After I've thought about it and went through the process, I just felt like it was exactly what I wanted. Everything here, the people, the fans and just couldn't go wrong with the decision.

Did he ever picture himself somewhere else?

After I started getting recruiting I could … every place that offered I'd try to picture myself there but I saw some places but after I thought it through, no I couldn't.

What is it going to be like to run out of the tunnel at Kinnick?

(Zach) said it's awesome. Can't miss out on that.

Did he talk to any current Hawkeyes?

I talked to a few players, not much. They all told me to come here obviously. I talked to Bryan Bulaga one time and he said do what's right for you.