Ferentz on Boffeli

When West Des Moines Valley's Conor Boffeli committed to Iowa State back in July, he wanted to play tight end in college.

And why not? He was a three-time Central Iowa Metro League first-team pick. Over his career, he caught 31 passes for 402 yards and two TDs. Tight end probably felt right with the Tigers going 43-1 over his four years.

Boffeli picked the Cyclones when Gene Chizik was the coach. When Chizik bolted for Auburn, Boffeli looked around. He visited Iowa City in late January. Iowa's pitch in January was the same as it was in July:

Son, we think you're an offensive lineman.

And so now he is. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz left the door open for TE on signing day, but after talking to Conor's dad, James, it sounds as though all systems are go for O-line.

Here's Ferentz's take:

"I'm not sure he was wild about the projection back in the spring. I think he made his decision in June or July. That might've been a sticking point, and I think he re-thought that a little bit.

"If he's stuck on tight end, we'll give him that opportunity. We really think his upside is going to be as a lineman. He's an outstanding athlete, a smart young man and a competitive guy. He played in an excellent program, too, at Valley. We're really thrilled to get him."

And later in his news conference, "Really outside of Conor, who is maybe more of an inside guy, all the other guys have the potential of maybe playing on the outside."

(This is the first of "What Ferentz said" on Iowa's recruits. I did forget to ask about RB Brad Rogers, but I'll find something. I've got all the mugs of these guys, I might as well use them.)