Marion OL Drew Clark picks Iowa

Here's tomorrow's story. Sounds like it was a tougher decision for Clark than you'd think.

In the end, Drew Clark's recruitment wasn't a slam dunk.

The Marion High School offensive lineman grew up an Iowa Hawkeye fan. His uncle, Craig, played tight end and was a four-year letterwinner for the Hawkeyes from 1984-87. Plus, he's from Marion, here in Eastern Iowa, the Hawkeyes' stronghold.

But in the end, it wasn't easy. Iowa State gave Clark something to think about.

Iowa State made it a tough decision," said Clark, a 6-foot-4, 280-pounder. "It's a program that's moving through the ranks. Each year, the program makes progess. It was a tough decision."

The decision went the Hawkeyes' way.

Clark called Iowa coaches Friday and accepted their scholarship offer, picking the Hawkeyes over an offer from ISU. Kansas and Purdue also showed interest in the Class 3A first-team all-stater.

Clark helped the Indians to an 8-2 record last season. Marion lost to eventual champion Keokuk in the first round of the 3A playoffs.

Iowa State offered Clark in May; the Hawkeyes followed in June.

Clark's relationship with Iowa coaches was the deciding factor. When Iowa started recruiting former Marion tight end Allen Reisner, now a sophomore with the Hawkeyes, assistant coach Reese Morgan met with Clark, then a sophomore, during visits to Marion High School.

After last season, Clark sent Morgan highlight tapes. The conversations picked up, and after a one-day football camp in Iowa City in June, Clark called Iowa coaches and they made the offer.

"One of the major things was the relationships I developed with Iowa coaches over the past couple years," Clark said. "I just feel it's a better fit for me."

Clark is aware of the recent off-field headlines Iowa has made. He also knew about West Des Moines Valley offensive lineman David Barrent's well-publicized de-commitment earlier this week.

"Those things weren't a big concern of mine," Clark said. "I talked to (head) coach (Kirk) Ferentz. It sounds like things are under control. I know it'll be taken care of."

Clark also mentioned summer-conditioning contests that strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle has designed to bring the team together.

"I think that'll be taken care of," Clark said.

Clark carries a 4.15 GPA and is interested in engineering. He had an excellent season in track and field last spring. He won the Drake Relays shot put and finished second in the 3A state meet. He broke the 60-foot barrier with a 60-2 toss in districts.

Clark said his uncle Craig wasn't in his ear a whole lot during his recruitment.

"A lot of things have changed since he's been through there, so there wasn't a lot he could tell me about the program," Clark said. "He tried to stay out of it as much as he could, tried to let me make my decision."

But . . .

"It worked out for him," Clark joked.

Clark is the Hawkeyes' third known oral commitment. He joins Toledo, Ohio, running back Brad Rogers and Mount Pleasant wide receiver Jordan Cotton. Oral commitments are non-binding. The national signing period begins in February ‘09.

Iowa also has an offer out to Cedar Rapids Washington wide receiver Keenan Davis, who said earlier this week he hopes to make a decision before the prep season begins Aug. 29.