Hawkeyes Haul in Hooker
The Iowa recruiting train was stuck in the station from January to mid May. Since then, it’s shown no signs of slowing down.
The Hawkeyes landed their seventh commitment in the last month on Tuesday when Minnesota Safety Amani Hooker pledged to the Big Ten Program. He brought the total of known commitments in the 2016 Class to nine.
"It was the best fit for me," Hooker told AllHawkeyes.com. "When I went on my visit (in May), it felt like home. They have been recruiting me hard for the last two months and it felt like the right time to commit."
Hooker plays for Brooklyn Park (MN) Park Center High school. He also reports scholarship offers from Northern Illinois, New Mexico, Northern Iowa, North Dakota State and South Dakota.
"I talked to (Iowa Assistant) Coach Seth Wallace and he was very excited (about Hooker’s commitment)," he said. "He said I was a big piece of the puzzle to their defense."
Hooker (6-1, 195) plays strong safety and wide receiver for Park Center. He said Iowa is bringing him in on defense and he could see the field early.
"(The Iowa coaches) said they see me as a first-year player for sure. We’ll see," he said.
Hooker said he’d like to major in business with a minor in physical science.
Hooker became Iowa’s second commitment in as many days, joining Chicago-Area athlete Barrington Wade, who jumped on board Monday. Chauncey Golston, Cedrick Lattimore, Spencer Williams, Cole Banwart and Kyle Taylor all joined the ’16 group in the last month. Wisconsin’s Nathan Stanley and Toren Young kicked off the class during the winter.
"It feels great. I’m happy with my choice," Hooker said.