3-star Kansas City defensive back high on Hawkeyes
By Tyler Devine
allhawkeyes.com
The signed letters of intent from recruits have quit rolling into the Iowa Football Facility and now the focus turns to the class of 2017.
Five players already have committed to Iowa’s 2017 recruiting class, four of whom are from the state of Iowa. The exception is five-star defensive end A.J. Epenesa, who is from Edwardsville, Ill., and the son of former Iowa defensive lineman Eppy Epenesa.
The Hawkeyes have steadily been gaining momentum with recruits since finishing 12-2 this past season and playing in the Rose Bowl for the first time in 25 years. One such recruit is three-star safety and Kansas City, Mo., native Djimon Colbert, whose first scholarship offer came from Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz last fall.
Colbert has since received offers from Iowa State, Kansas and Nebraska, but the Hawkeyes still sit at or near the top of his list.
“I would definitely say they are in my top two so far, but I only have four offers right now," Colbert said Thursday. "So I can’t really make a list like that yet."
The 6-foot-1, 186-pound Colbert doesn’t plan to attend Iowa’s summer camp. But he wants to visit Iowa City at least two more times in order to get better acquainted with the program.
“I don’t think I’ll be at camp since they’ve already offered me," Colbert said. "But I will definitely take some visits around the spring, and hopefully, one this coming March for Junior Day."
Just like many prospects from Iowa’s 2016 recruiting class, Colbert has the versatility to play multiple positions.
“I can play two different positions and I have experience at both,” Colbert said of defensive back and receiver.
Colbert still is unsure when he will make a decision. He was close to making a verbal commitment last fall before deciding to wait.
“My family and I were going to make that decision early on this year, but we’ve decided to hold back on that for now,” Colbert said. “It could either be before senior year or after the football season.”
Meanwhile, Iowa also has made a positive impression on Texas running back Eno Benjamin, who is ranked as a four-star recruit in the 2017 class. Benjamin recently told allhawkeyes.com that Iowa was his favorite school at this point.
Iowa is expected to have fewer than 20 players in its 2017 class after signing 24 recruits in the 2016 class on Wednesday.