DUZEY PICKS IOWA AS PIPELINE FROM COUNTY CONTINUES TO GROW

Homesickness will not be a problem for local prep sports stars that decide to go and play at the University of Iowa in the near future. It looks like former OC stud athletes Kevonte Martin-Manley (football-Brother Rice '10) and Roy Marble, Jr. (basketball-Southfield-Lathrup '10) are going to have some company from back home on campus next fall, since Jake Duzey of Troy Athens, one of the state's top tight end prospects for the Class of 2011, has just verbally committed to the Hawkeyes football program.

The commitment caps a feverish three months in the big time recruiting game for Duzey (6-4, 220), who rapidly ascended up scouting reports with several primetime-worthy efforts at a number of offseason combines and camps. Reports out of the Duzey camp as recent as late last week, indicated that the Raging Red Hawk was leaning towards committing to Michigan State. These reports obviously proved false and its speculated that Duzey decided against the Spartans due to their recent signing of another top-rated tight end prospect two weeks ago and their desire to possibly turn him into a part-HBack, which goes against his strengths as a pass threat and someone who could find seems in the middle of defenses downfield.

One of the primary reasons for Duzey's increased exposure – close to a dozen offers from major college programs – was the fact that he has been continually clocked at between 4.48 and 4.50 in his 40-yard dash time. This kind of stat, coupled with his big hands and outstanding character as a human being, makes college coaches GO WILD! Accordingly, they did. And in the end Iowa and Kirk Ferentz won out in the race for his services.

Last season, Duzey, a two-sport star also excelling at basketball as an all-conference power forward- caught 40 balls for 546 yards and 6 tds. He is currently ranked No. 19 in the state in his class by Scout.com.

Do I sniff Playoffs for Red Hawks Nation this fall? Could be………..