In-State TE Talks Hawkeyes Offer
T.J. Hockenson showed off his skills at Sunday’s Iowa camp. The coaches liked what they saw.
Following the workout, the Chariton (IA) tight end sat down with head coach Kirk Ferentz. What happened next was surreal for Hockenson.
"I was able to talk to him for probably 10 minutes about family and, of course, football. Then he offered me a scholarship after telling me everything they liked about me and that I would be a good fit for Iowa Football. It was one of the best feelings ever. I’ve always been a Hawkeye fan and idolized Coach Ferentz since I was little," he said.
Iowa State offered the 6-foot-5, 220-pound tight end in February. He’s listed the Cyclones as his favorite.
"I’m letting it sink in," Hockenson said of Sunday’s Iowa offer. "It all feels so real. This is going to be a really hard decision."
The in-state schools have company in their pursuit of Hockenson. He’ll be camping with Minnesota and Missouri this summer in addition to again visiting Iowa State.
"I’ll be (at Iowa) at the end of the month and after that visit I am going to sit down and think hard about what is best for me and where I feel is the right place for me," Hockenson said.
As a junior, Hockenson caught 73 passes for 1,116 yards and 18 touchdowns. The Iowa Newspaper Association named him to the Class 3A all-state first team.
It’s how Hockenson has conducted himself off of the fields that impressed Ferentz.
"He said that they have talked to so many people about me, especially coaches from different towns we play, and he hasn’t heard a bad thing from anyone. So, that was really good to hear," Hockenson said.
Hockenson is leading towards a Physical Therapy major with a minor in business. Academics will play a key role in his college decision.
Hockenson averaged 23.1 points and 11.1 rebounds for the Chariton basketball team this winter in earning second-team all-state honors from the INA. He’s also been a standout in track and field.