Iowa WR Marvin McNutt took NFL draft decision 'down to the wire'

IOWA CITY -Marvin McNutt stood in background and took in Iowa's final spring practice Saturday without participating like many of his former teammates.

McNutt, an incoming senior wide receiver from St. Louis, sat out spring drills after shoulder and thumb surgery. But McNutt nearly joined the multitude of ex-Hawkeyes in the NFL.

McNutt joined safety Tyler Sash and cornerback Shaun Prater in filing post-season evaluation paperwork about their potential draft status. Sash decided to bolt for the NFL, while Prater was ranked below the third round and opted to stay. McNutt took his time but ultimately returned to Iowa.

"It was a decision that came down to the wire," McNutt said. "But it was definitely something that I wanted to come back for, my team, for the coaches, the atmosphere for the Hawkeye family.

McNutt, who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 215 pounds, declined to reveal what grade received saying only, "It's weird, it's hard to explain.

"Right now it's more of ... getting ready for the season.

Saturday, McNutt caught a few balls in warm-ups. He's close to returning, Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz said.

"He should be good," Ferentz said. "He's been out running around and stuff; he just can't catch the ball with both hands right now or have contact."

Ferentz is thrilled that McNutt curtailed his NFL dreams for one more season. In two seasons McNutt has produced electric numbers for the Hawkeyes in all categories. He's totaled 88 passes for 1,546 yards and 16 scores since his transition from quarterback. McNutt needs just six more touchdown receptions to eclipse the school record of 21 held by Tim Dwight and Danan Hughes. He's 1,070 receiving yards from tying former teammate Derrell Johnson-Koulianos for the school mark in that category.

McNutt was named second-team all-Big Ten by league coaches after last season. He caught 53 passes for 861 yards and eight touchdowns.

That McNutt is even close to Iowa's records in those categories is a testament to his perseverance. Midway through his second season at Iowa, McNutt was asked to switch from quarterback to wide receiver. Instead of transferring to another school, McNutt changed positions with little resistance.

"College is never easy for any athlete," McNutt said. "There's always going to be trials for each player; it's just the way you handle it. I felt like for me the best opportunity was to stay with Iowa."

McNutt, an interdepartmental studies major, will earn his degree in December. That was a factor while deliberating between staying at Iowa or turning pro.

"Going into my last season, I want to graduate," he said. "I want to definitely go out with a degree and play the best I can for this Hawkeye family. They've been great to me, and it's something I want to give back to them."