Kirk Ferentz's Iowa football staff is recruiting the Pittsburgh area hard

Maybe it's because Penn State is showing weakness. Maybe it's because Iowa's recruits from western Pennsylvania have served the program very well. Maybe this is an extra-good year for that always-fertile prep football area.

Maybe there is no reason at all, it's just worked out this way.

But the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette noted Friday that Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz (who grew up a Pittsburgher) is working the Pittsburgh area hard this recruiting year. An excerpt:

Iowa is one of the finalists for a half dozen WPIAL players who have yet to make a college decision. Iowa has recruited Western Pennsylvania before and has landed a few players from the WPIAL over the years.

"But I don't remember them being involved with this many players from here," said Woodland Hills coach George Novak.

Two Woodland Hills players will make official visits to Iowa after the season. They are linebacker Ejuan Price and defensive end Quinton Jefferson. Price said last week Iowa and Ohio State are his top two choices.

This past weekend, McKeesport defensive linemen Branden Jackson and Delvon Simmons visited Iowa and attended the Hawkeyes' game against Wisconsin. Both might visit Oregon next month.

Earlier this season, Gateway defensive back Dondi Kirby and Gateway receiver-linebacker Armstead Williams visited Iowa for the Penn State game. Kirby and Williams have Iowa on their final list of colleges.