Seems like recruiting just gets younger and younger every year...
The Iowa Hawkeyes have extend an offer to Brian Allen from Hinsdale Central High School in Illinois. The catch? Allen has never played in a varsity football game, and is just a FRESHMAN.
Here's the story from Hawkeyereport.com:
http://iowa.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1220402
While the move doesn't seem to fit with Iowa's standard M.O., I don't mind the move in this case. Here's a few of the main reasons...
First, the Hawks know this family. They tried hard to recruit Allen's older brother, who ended up choosing Michigan State over Iowa. They obviously have the feeling that the kid comes from a good background, and will continue to work hard as he develops as a player.
Second, he's a non-skill position player. As an added bonus, he's an offensive lineman (see: Kirk Ferentz coaching background) Iowa doesn't miss on these types too often, so they must see something special in the kid. He's already got good size (6'1" - 245 lbs), and finished third in the largest class in Illinois in the state wrestling tournament. Those two factors seem to indicate he's athletic enough and will have the size to be a top notch Big-10 lineman someday. If it was a wide receiver or quarterback Iowa was going after as a freshman, I'd be a lot more concerned.
I don't see Iowa making a habit out of handing out offers to 14-year olds, so the kid must really have something special. It will be fun to see this one play out over the next couple of years.
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