Texas QB excited about Iowa ahead of Monday announcement
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Peyton Mansell already liked the Iowa football program.
The Texas quarterback likes it even more after taking an unofficial visit on Friday, three days ahead of his commitment announcement this coming Monday.
“I liked it a lot," Mansell said Friday night. "They are definitely near the top."
Mansell toured the Iowa facilities and met with starting quarterback C.J. Beathard and with backup Tyler Wiegers. Mansell also got better acquainted with some of the Iowa assistants and had what he described as a very productive meeting with head coach Kirk Ferentz.
"I had a long talk with coach Ferentz," Mansell said.
Iowa usually has just one quarterback in a recruiting class, and all signs point to Mansell being that quarterback in the 2017 class.
Mansell said Ferentz praised his game film and his reputation off the field.
“We talked about the small things, day-to-day things,” said Mansell, who is from Belton, Texas. “He likes what I can do on the field and likes what he has heard about me character-wise.”
Iowa currently has nine players committed to its 2017 recruiting class after losing defensive tackle Juan Harris on Thursday. He de-committed from Iowa for a third time, announcing his decision on his private Twitter account.
Texas running back Eno Benjamin is one of the more celebrated players in Iowa’s 2017 class. The four-star recruit has been actively recruiting Mansell and other Texas natives to join him as a Hawkeye.
Benjamin indicated on Friday that he has more than one Texas recruit on the verge of committing to Iowa.
Had a great visit to Iowa today! Thank you to the staff for having me!???? pic.twitter.com/2PiSVeIYaf
— Aquaman (@MansellPeyton) June 17, 2016
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Mansell also has gained serious interest from Minnesota, where he will visit on Saturday. But he doesn’t have an offer from the Gophers at this point.
Mansell said he also is considering North Texas, North Dakota State and San Diego State.