Iowa lands 2 blue-chip football recruits

By Dave Krider Dec 20, 2010, 8:43am

Rodney Coe, Jacob Hillyer choose Hawkeyes; Travis Hughes likes North Carolina

The University of Iowa recently received commitments from two blue-chip high school football recruits, according to the Iowa City Press-Citizen.

Rodney Coe, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound running back from Edwardsville (Ill.), is ranked as the No. 1 Illinois senior by MaxPreps recruiting analyst Tom Lemming, who also likes his skills as a linebacker.

The Hawkeyes' other top pledge came from senior wide receiver Jacob Hillyer of Somerset (Texas). The 6-4, 190-pounder had 18 touchdown catches this year and totaled 1,648 yards.

* The Norfolk Virginian-Pilot reports that outstanding running back/linebacker Travis Hughes has chosen the University of North Carolina over Virginia Tech. The 6-1, 220-pounder ran 185 times for 1,227 yards and 20 touchdowns as a senior at Kempsville (Virginia Beach, Va.). He had a school-record 254 yards in his final game and finished his career with 3,624 yards.

* Texas Christian University has received a commitment from Ladarius Brown, according to the Dallas Morning News. The 6-3, 190-pound Waxahachie (Texas) wide receiver/defensive back made 39 catches for 781 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior. He also ran for four touchdowns, scored on a punt return and an interception.



* Outstanding Plantation (Fla.) linebacker Ryan Shazier (6-3, 205) has switched his allegiance from the University of Florida to Ohio State, according to the Orlando Sentinel.