IOWA CITY, Iowa – It’s not often that a coveted football recruit from Omaha, Neb., turns down a chance to play for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Noah Fant did that on Friday, though, as he made a verbal commitment to Iowa. The 6-foot-5, 215-pound tight end/defensive end picked the Hawkeyes over scholarship offers from Nebraska, UCLA, California and Vanderbilt among others.

“They’re the school that showed me the most interest,” Fant said of Iowa to the Omaha World-Herald.

Fant, who announced his choice early Friday on an Omaha radio station, said he expects to play tight end for the Hawkeyes. He is ranked as the No. 2 recruit in Nebraska by 247 Sports and Rivals, trailing Lincoln Christian tight end Jared Bubak, who is committed to Arizona State.

Fant’s commitment to Iowa won’t become official until he signs a national letter of intent. The national signing period for football starts on the first Wednesday in February. Fant said he would reevaluate his decision after his high school football season.

"I’m not planning on de-committing, but I’ll take (new offers) into consideration," Fant said.

Fant is the 23rd player to commit to Iowa’s 2016 recruiting class, all of whom are high school seniors.