COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 14: Linebacker Ross Homan #51 of the Ohio State Buckeyes tackles running back Adam Robinson #32 of the Iowa Hawkeyes at Ohio Stadium on November 14, 2009 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
Ohio State WR transfer Kaleb Brown chooses Iowa Hawkeyes
It’s a scarlet and grey and blue and maize match made in heaven. At least for Hawkeye fans anyways.
Former four-star signee and Ohio State transfer wide receiver Kaleb Brown announced his commitment to the Iowa Hawkeyes today.
After visiting Kinnick Stadium and the Hawkeyes yesterday, it didn’t take long for the 5-foot-10, 197 pound wide receiver to make up his mind. Brown is teaming up with Michigan transfer quarterback Cade McNamara and Iowa.
He joins a Hawkeye receiving corps that was desperate to bolster its ranks with the type of talent and caliber of wide receiver that Brown represents. Brown should immediately factor in alongside returning leading receiver Nico Ragaini, Diante Vines and Charleston Southern transfer Seth Anderson.
Here’s a look at Brown’s Hudl highlights. Plus, everything you need to know about what Brown is bringing to Iowa City.
Help is on the way! There was a hope and belief within Hawkeye circles that Cade McNamara’s arrival from Ann Arbor, Mich., meant that Iowa would suddenly be in the mix for high-profile skill players.
Up until now, that hadn’t proven itself to be true. It is now, though. The combination of Iowa’s need at wide receiver paired with the opportunity to team up with McNamara was enough of a selling point to land Brown in Iowa City.
He figures to factor in immediately. After the departures of talented wide receivers Keagan Johnson to Kansas State and Arland Bruce IV to Oklahoma State, Iowa had a serious need at the position.
The Hawkeyes addressed it in part by adding Charleston Southern transfer Seth Anderson. Anderson earned Big South Offensive Freshman of the Year honors, was tabbed as a second-team Big South offensive selection and as a finalist on the Jerry Rice Award watch list after hauling in 42 grabs for 612 receiving yards with seven scores.
Still, Iowa needed more of a talent infusion. Though Brown doesn’t bring a ton of production, flip on his Hudl tape and it’s easy to see that he’ll fit in beautifully in Iowa City. The athleticism, change of direction and ability after the catch will be an automatic upgrade for the Hawkeyes’ wide receiver room.
It’s really not a knock that Brown didn’t produce much in his true freshman campaign either. That would be the case for most anybody at Ohio State. Now, though, he heads to a situation where there’s no more waiting. He’ll be expected to help straight away.
