4-star Dallas DB Chevin Calloway commits to Iowa
IOWA CITY, Iowa – From tragedy to triumph, it’s been an emotional past few days for Texas defensive back Chevin Calloway.
He announced his commitment to Iowa on Monday, just four days after his hometown of Dallas was the horrific scene of an ambush in which five police officers were shot and killed by a lone gunman last Thursday evening.
Calloway had been expected to announce his commitment last Friday, but he delayed his decision out of respect for the victims.
Calloway held a moment of silence for the victims of the Dallas tragedy before his announcement on Monday. He then explained why he picked Iowa over scholarship offers from most of the top programs in the country.
"With the greatest alumni, environment, the genuine people and the comfort level being with the coaches, I loved it from the start," Calloway said via Periscope.
— Chevin Calloway (@_chev1_) July 11, 2016
Although star running back, and fellow Texas native, Eno Benjamin has been active in recruiting players to Iowa’s 2017 class, Calloway was adamant that he made the decision on his own.
"I wasn’t influenced by any players," said Calloway, who attends Bishop Dunne High School in Dallas. "Eno, none of them.
"It has been through research and prayer that I felt this is the right school for me. I would like to make a difference and have an impact on the team.
"This is what I felt in my heart."
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Calloway noted the high graduation rate of the Iowa program as one of the reasons he picked the Hawkeyes, who are coming off a 12-2 season under veteran head coach Kirk Ferentz.
Calloway also praised Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker, who also coaches defensive backs, for his success in sending defensive backs to the NFL. The most recent example being Micah Hyde, who plays for the Green Bay Packers.
The list also includes Amari Spievey, Charles Godfrey, Bradley Fletcher and 2007 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Bob Sanders, who is now retired.
Calloway is the 15th player to commit to Iowa’s 2017 recruiting class and the fifth from Texas. He matches Benjamin as a four-star recruit and has over 30 scholarship offers from power five schools that include Alabama, Auburn, Louisiana State, Baylor, Ohio State, Michigan and Wisconsin among others.
Calloway is also ranked as a top-100 recruit in the 2017 class by Rivals.
Iowa tight ends coach LeVar Woods was the lead recruiter for Calloway. Woods has played a key role in Iowa’s recent recruiting success in Texas, particularly in the Dallas area where each of the five Texas recruits are from in the 2017 class.
An interesting side note to Monday’s announcement is that Calloway’s high school teammate – defensive lineman Damion Daniels – held the camera while Calloway announced his commitment to Iowa on Periscope. Daniels is also being recruited by Iowa.
