With Vincent, Hawkeyes might be finished at WR in 2011

Don't get too caught up in the numbers with Iowa's latest football commitment.

DeSoto (Texas) High School wide receiver Austin Vincent wasn't about the numbers as a junior for the Eagles last season. He was about the winning.

"The way our offense is run, it sets up to give the ball to certain receivers," Vincent said. "It's all about playing a role on the team. I didn't really have a problem with not getting the ball as much as the rest of the guys. I just wanted to win."

So, the 6-2, 171-pounder played his role, catching 17 passes for 241 yards and two TDs for DeSoto. But he was playing in a receiving corps that sent Darius Terrell and his 78 catches to Texas. Also, David Porter had another 60 receptions. Cameron White, another DeSoto receiver, has already accepted an offer to TCU.

The lack of numbers didn't scare off colleges.

Vincent committed to the Hawkeyes on Wednesday, choosing Iowa over offers from Arkansas, Arizona, Utah, Iowa State and Louisiana Tech. He is Iowa's fifth commitment for the 2011 class and third wide receiver.

"I think coaches liked my work ethic and my potential," Vincent said. "They can transform me into anything they want me to be. I can fight for anything. I work hard and I think coaches liked that fire on the field."

DeSoto coach Claude Mathis believes the Hawkeyes have a steal in wide receiver Austin Vincent.

"I can see Texas not taking a look or offering him," Mathis said. "But I really think the rest of the Texas schools lost out. He's going to be a good one."

Vincent is the third receiver to commit to Iowa in 2011. He joins fellow Texas wideout JaCorey Shepherd and Massachusettes prep Marcus Grant. With Derrell Johnson-Koulianos and Colin Sandeman graduating, receiver was a need for the 2011 class.

Vincent said Thursday that Iowa told him it's finished recruiting receivers in this class.

Vincent said he's heard from Texas A&M, but he's also done with recruiting.

"They said they're going to start recruiting hard, but I'm already committed," Vincent said.

What kind of receiver is Vincent? He said Iowa receivers coach Erik Campbell told him that he's a Marvin McNutt-type, good-sized body and can make plays in traffic.

"He can beat you deep and he's a great route runner. He can get in and get out," Mathis said. "He gave up basketball to get ready for football and it paid off.

"I really like his confidence," Mathis said. "He's hard to beat. He'll work his butt off, too. He's not a kid who'll get homesick. He'll work hard to prove the schools around here wrong."

Vincent is the second prep to commit to the Hawkeyes in the last two days. Mount Pleasant tight end Henry Krieger-Coble committed to Iowa on Tuesday.

Vincent's recruitment was a collaborative effort between Campbell and Iowa assistant Darrell Wilson. Wilson visited DeSoto in the spring. Campbell followed up this summer.

"I think he made the right choice," said Mathis, whose team sent 13 players to college on scholarship last season. "Iowa is a great fit for Austin."

IOWA'S 2011 RECRUITING CLASS

Austin Vincent, 6-2, 170, WR, DeSoto (Texas) High School

Henry Krieger-Coble, 6-4, 220, TE, Mount Pleasant High School

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

Marcus Grant, 6-2, 190, WR Lawrence Academy (Groton, Mass.)

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

Couldn't find any pictures of Vincent, but here's some pretty good video.