WR Grant sees opportunity in IC

After the 2010 season, the Hawkeyes empty out at wide receiver.

Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, Colin Sandeman, Paul Chaney Jr. and Don Nordmann will be gone. Who knows with Marvin McNutt. Another giant season and, however much it makes Iowa fans cringe, McNutt might have "a decision to make."

Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. Anyway, Iowa can flash opportunity to wide receiver recruits for the 2011 class.

That was one of the things that got Marcus Grant's attention.

"I think they're graduating four and I think they have Keenan (Davis) and McNutt coming back," Grant said. "The opportunity got my attention. Coach (Erik) Campbell told me they play five or six wide receivers every game. That definitely was a factor in my decision."

Grant, 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, was Iowa's first commitment for the 2011 class. He made the leap after visiting Iowa City in March. He picked the Hawkeyes over offers from Syracuse and Connecticut.

"What really set it apart for me was the relationship I built with the coaching staff," Grant said. "I was talking to them every couple days. The relationship I had with them and I felt comfortable, that tied into my decision. And the fact that they gave me the opportunity to play big-time football and to come in right away. That's always been my dream."

You have to spin it back a little farther to find when Iowa entered Grant's radar.

It started when the Hawkeyes landed linebacker Shane DiBona out of Duxbury (Mass.) High School. Grant's Lawrence Academy is in Groton, Mass., not far from Duxbury and about 35 minutes outside of Boston.

Prep football kids from this area don't often escape Boston College and/or UConn.

Offensive coordinator Ken O'Keefe used to coach in the area, Worcester Academy. He knew Mike Taylor, Lawrence Academy's head coach. O'Keefe visited the area after the season. Iowa got Grant's video and made an offer a few weeks later.

But what really left an impression on Grant was DiBona, who'll be a redshirt freshman linebacker at Iowa this fall, picking the Hawkeyes.

"The first time I heard of Iowa was when Shane DiBonna committed," Grant said. "He's from the same area. It was kind of a big deal. He was the first one from around our area to go anywhere besides BC or UConn. That was the first thing that went through my mind, that Iowa recruits out here. I started following them because of Shane."

Lawrence runs a pro set I formation offense with some spread mixed in (sound familiar?). So, his wide receiver stats aren't mind blowing, catching 22 passes for 413 yards and six TDs. He also got touches on the ground last fall, rushing 22 times for 349 yards.

"I'm versatile and physical," Grant said. "I like to catch the ball and get going. I like to do the other stuff, too, block and set up plays for my teammates. I'd say I can give you possession and I can also give you the big play. I can pretty much anything coaches ask me to do.

"I know a lot of receivers have better stats than I do, but we have a good team up here in Mass. I tell everyone your ball time is limited and you've got to take advantage of the opportunities you have."

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I expect Iowa to take at least two more receivers.

Marcus Grant, WR, 6-3, 190, Lawrence Academy (Groton, Mass.)

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

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