Ohio TE: 'I'm a Hawkeye'

Iowa does have a reputation for producing NFL-ready offensive linemen, but don't discount the work Kirk Ferentz and his staff have done with tight ends.

During Ferentz's tenure, Iowa has put eight tight ends in the NFL in some way, shape or form. This year, Tony Moeaki was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs. During Ferentz's first season, 1999, Zeron Flemister and Austin Wheatley made it into the league.

In between, there's been all-pro Dallas Clark.

Ray Hamilton liked the sound of that. So, the Strongsville, Ohio, prep committed to play tight end for the Hawkeyes on Wednesday.

Hamilton was the first of three commitments Wednesday for the Hawkeyes. Iowa also picked up a commitment from defensive end John Raymon, a 6-5, 240-pounder from Council Rock (Penn.) North School.

"I think I've heard all the way to 12 (tight ends from Iowa in the NFL)," said Hamilton, a 6-5, 225-pounder. "I don't know the exact number, but I know they've put a lot of tight ends in the NFL."

In six games last season, Hamilton caught six passes for 300 yards. He missed a stretch of games after having a torn meniscus repaired in his knee. Hamilton missed some time in basketball, too, with an elbow injury. He said he's good to go now.

"I played week one of football with torn meniscus in my knee," Hamilton said. "I had it fixed was out until week five or six. Just had some pain and it's fine now."

Hamilton had at least 20 scholarship offers, including Michigan, Notre Dame and Oklahoma. With all the mail, his recruiting has been nutty, to say the least.

"I'm just thankful I have two hands, I guess," Hamilton said when asked about daily trips to the mailbox. "It's crazy. That's the best way to put it. You've got to stay humble with it and stay patient with the process and make sure you really pick out the schools and narrow it down as quickly as you can."

Out of the boxes full of letters, Hamilton narrowed it down to Iowa, Florida State and North Carolina.

Strongsville is a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi is from Mentor, also a Cleveland suburb. It wasn't a closing situation, but Hamilton did take in a dinner with Stanzi when he visited Iowa City this summer.

They compared the HuHot to a Mongolian beef place back in Ohio.

"There's not enough that can be said about him," Hamilton said. "From his work ethic to his character, he's just a stand-up guy. He's incredible." 

Ohio State wasn't among the offers for Hamilton. The Buckeyes picked up a tight end commitment on Wednesday. Asked about Ohio State, it didn't sound as though there was any waver in Hamilton's choice.

"I'm a Hawkeye," he said.

Hamilton is Iowa's sixth recruit this season. He's also the second tight end Iowa has picked up in the last week or so. Hamilton joins Mount Pleasant prep Henry Krieger-Coble.

Also. Iowa assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Eric Johnson wroteearly this afternoon on his Twitter feed that Iowa had a second commitment of the day. I've been able to confirm that Raymon had committed to the Hawkeyes.

Johnson also tweeted about a third recruit Wednesday.

Efforting interview with Raymon and who No. 8 is.

John Raymon, 6-5, 240, Council Rock North High School (New Town, Penn.)

Ray Hamilton, 6-5, 225, Strongsville (Ohio) High School

Austin Vincent, 6-2, 170, WR, DeSoto (Texas) High School

Henry Krieger-Coble, 6-4, 220, TE, Mount Pleasant High School

Austin Blythe, 6-3, 280, OL, Williamsburg High School

Marcus Grant, 6-2, 190, WR Lawrence Academy (Groton, Mass.)

JaCorey Shepherd, 5-11, 170, WR, Horn High School (Mesquite, Texas)