Heelan coach: Iowa asks Malloy to walk on

If Sioux City Heelan running back Michael Malloy wants to attend Iowa, it will have to be as a walk-on, at least initially, according to his prep coach.

"It's my understanding that he'll have to pay for his first year there," Sioux City Heelan coach Roger Jansen said Thursday. "He could then end up on scholarship depending how he does."

Malloy committed to the Hawkeyes on July 26. On Aug. 8, he was arrested in Nebraska and charged with with four offenses, including possession or use of drug paraphernalia, according to Dakota County (Neb.) court records.

Malloy, a 6-0, 180-pound running back/wide receiver prospect, eventually pleaded guilty to misdemeanor obstructing a peace officer and sentenced to nine months probation. He was suspended for the first three weeks of the prep football season and suffered a torn ACL.

Jansen said Malloy could have a grayshirt opportunity at Iowa, meaning he would pay his own way the first semester and then go on scholarship. Also according to Jansen, Malloy has a Jan. 21 visit scheduled with South Dakota, the only other school to offer him a scholarship.

"I think he's planning on Iowa," Jansen said. "He's given me no indication that he's changed his mind."

This decision follows a sequence of events at Iowa last summer that involved wrestling prospect Cayle Byers, who committed to Iowa after transferring from George Mason. Byers' career at George Mason ended after a November arrest in which he was charged with public intoxication and assault on law enforcement. Byers ended up at Oklahoma State.

"The decision has been made," Jansen said. "You have to live with it. All you can ask for is consistency in the process."

As a junior, Malloy rushed for 1,668 yards and 29 touchdowns. He also had 26 catches for 210 yards and two touchdowns.

This leaves Iowa with 17 commitments for the 2012 recruiting class. Iowa could have as many as four scholarships remaining. The national signing period begins Feb. 1.

[EDIT: Look for Malloy to take the walk-on offer and not visit South Dakota.)

Mitch Keppy, OL, 6-5, 287, Riverdale High School (Port Byron, Ill.)

Cameron Wilson, WR, 6-2, 193, Jerome High School (Dublin, Ohio)

Drew Ott, DE, 6-4, 235, Giltner (Neb.) High School

Maurice Fleming Jr., CB, 6-1, 185, Curie High School (Chicago)

Connor Kornbrath, K/P, 6-7, 210, Bridgeport (W.V.) High School

Jaleel Johnson, DT, 6-4, 290, Montini High School (Westchester, Ill.)

Ryan Ward, OL, 6-6, 270, Providence Catholic (New Lenox, Ill.)

Laron Taylor, LB, 6-0, 205, Cass Tech (Detroit, Mich.)

Ruben Lile, S, 6-3, 200 Cass Tech (Detroit, Mich.)

Greg Mabin, WR, 6-2, 190 Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)

Daumantas Venckus, DE, 6-4, 220 Cypress Bay (Weston, Fla.)

Faith Ekakitie, DL, 6-3, 285 Lake Forest (Ill.) Academy

Kevin Buford, CB, 5-10, 165 Canton (Mich.) High School

Anthony Morgan, S, 6-1, 185 Prestonwood Christian (Plano, Texas)

Tevaun Smith, WR, 6-2, 186 Kent (Conn.) School/Chaminade College High School (Toronto)

Cody Sokol, QB, 6-2, 210 Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College

Greg Garmon, RB, 6-2, 200 McDowell High School (Erie, Pa.)