2018 receiver Blair Brooks joining Iowa football team as a walk on
By Tyler Devine
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Blair Brooks’ childhood dream of becoming an Iowa Hawkeye became a reality on Saturday.
The Marion native announced that he would join the Iowa football team next fall as a walk on and that he also intends to participate in track and field for the Hawkeyes.
“I’ve had this in the back of my mind for a while now,” Brooks said. “I was just waiting for the right time. I was just looking through all of my options and weighing all of them and it just felt like the right decision when I went down there Thursday and talked with all the coaches.
“It’s been my dream to be a Hawkeye ever since I was little and now I’m all in with the Hawkeyes.”
The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Blair Brooks now hopes to be the next Iowa football player to enjoy success in multiple sports.
The most notable person to do that is former City High star Tim Dwight, .
A former receiver and return specialist, Dwight finished seventh in voting for the Heisman Trophy as a receiver and return specialist in 1997 and was the Big Ten champion in the 100-meter dash.
And though football will be Brooks' top priority in college, he thinks he can excel in both sports.
“I have the credentials for it,” said Brooks, who has cleared 23 feet in the long jump. “I have the mindset. I’m a state champion and have placed in the top three in four events already. I just feel like I can do it with the coaches and support I have. I’m going to feel it out my first year. I’m not going to be so focused on track that I’ll skip football for it. I won’t miss any football and just do track on the side.”
Blair Brooks is the grandson of the late Bob Brooks, who covered Hawkeye athletics on the radio for over a half century, and up until his death in June 2016, while his father is Iowa sideline reporter Rob Brooks.
Knowing that his grandfather would be proud makes the moment that much more special for Blair Brooks.
“He would have supported me no matter where I went,” Blair Brooks said. “But now it just feels a little extra special. I just appreciate him so much and everything that he’s done for me.”
Blair Brooks said he isn't sure how his grandfather would have reacted to his decision. But he knows he would've been pleased with his choice of schools.
“I have no idea (how he would react),” Blair Brooks said. “Probably just a little congratulations, a little handshake or something like that if I’m lucky.”
Blair Brooks is the 14th player to commit to Iowa’s 2018 recruiting class, and the third from Iowa.
Iowa's 2018 recruiting class
Dillon Doyle, LB, 6-3, 215, Iowa City
Samson Evans, ATH, 6-1, 190, Crystal Lake, Ill.
Henry Geil, RB, 6-0, 211, Green Bay, Wis.
Cody Ince, OL, 6-5, 260, Balsam Lake, Wis.
Jeff Jenkins, OL, 6-4, 272, Crystal Lake, Ill.
D.J. Johnson DB, 6-0, 170, Indianapolis, Ind.
Tyler Linderbaum, DL, 6-2, 255, Solon
Jack Plumb, Ol, 6-8, 245, Green Bay, Wis.
Terry Roberts, DB, 5-10, 169, Erie, Pa.
Anthony Torres, TE, 6-6, 235, Mishawaka, Ind.
Noah Shannon, DL, 6-2, 285, Oswego, Ill.
Tyrone Tracy, ATH, 6-0, 187, Indianapolis, Ind.
Julius Brents, DB, 6-2, 179, Indianapolis, Ind.
Blair Brooks, WR, 6-3, 190, Marion