Iowa needed quarterback depth and found it Saturday.
Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College’s Cody Sokol picked the Hawkeyes over Arizona and six other offers, including Maryland. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder announced his decision via Twitter, “Happy to be a Hawkeye.”
As a sophomore last season, Sokol threw for 3,807 yards, 43 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He plays in a pro-style system, so that will be a fit with Iowa.
Sokol will give Iowa four scholarship quarterbacks for 2012. Starter James Vandenberg and John Wienke will be seniors. Jake Rudock will be a redshirt freshman.
Sokol attended Iowa’s Insight Bowl loss to No. 19 Oklahoma on Friday night.
“I just felt like Iowa was a better fit,” Sokol said. “There were a lot of emotions about going to Arizona because my family lives here and I know a lot of people at the school, but I tried to take the emotions out of it and just decided that where I fit in the best was at Iowa.”
“Also, I think they have the best opportunity for me to make the next level,” he continued. “If you want a chance at the next level, you’ve got to show that you can play in the pro-style offense and that’s another reason why I really chose them.”
Sokol will make the move this semester and be at Iowa for spring football. He could compete for playing time right away or he could take a redshirt. He has three years to play two seasons.
“I know the coaching staff wants competition so I’m just going to go in and compete and do my best,” Sokol said. “I might redshirt so I can learn the offense and just develop with the system, but you never know what’s going to happen.”
Iowa now has 17 commitments for the 2012 recruiting class. Coach Kirk Ferentz has said the class would be in the 20 range. The national signing period starts Feb. 1.
Here’s 11 minutes of Sokol playing for Scottsdale. Should give you a decent glimpse.
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Mitch Keppy, OL, 6-5, 287, Riverdale High School (Port Byron, Ill.)
Cameron Wilson, WR, 6-2, 193, Jerome High School (Dublin, Ohio)
Drew Ott, DE, 6-4, 235, Giltner (Neb.) High School
Maurice Fleming Jr., CB, 6-1, 185, Curie High School (Chicago)
Connor Kornbrath, K/P, 6-7, 210, Bridgeport (W.V.) High School
Jaleel Johnson, DT, 6-4, 290, Montini High School (Westchester, Ill.)
Ryan Ward, OL, 6-6, 270, Providence Catholic (New Lenox, Ill.)
Michael Malloy, RB/WR, 6-0, 180, Sioux City Heelan
Laron Taylor, LB, 6-0, 205, Cass Tech (Detroit, Mich.)
Ruben Lile, S, 6-3, 200 Cass Tech (Detroit, Mich.)
Greg Mabin, WR, 6-2, 190 Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Daumantas Venckus, DE, 6-4, 220 Cypress Bay (Weston, Fla.)
Faith Ekakitie, DL, 6-3, 285 Lake Forest (Ill.) Academy
Kevin Buford, CB, 5-10, 165 Canton (Mich.) High School
Anthony Morgan, S, 6-1, 185 Prestonwood Christian (Plano, Texas)
Tevaun Smith, WR, 6-2, 186 Kent (Conn.) School/Chaminade College High School (Toronto)
Cody Sokol, QB, 6-2, 210 Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College
