Iowa Picks-up Sleeper QB Commit

The Iowa Hawkeye's current recruiting class is probably the worst class in the Big Ten. It is a far cry from the top-10 class Kirk Ferentz put together a few years back.

If Iowa expects to contend for a Big Ten title anytime soon a lot of these kids will have to be big sleepers. The newest addition, James Vandenberg, looks to be one of them.

The 6-2, 190 lb quarterback from Keokuk High (Keokuk, IA) will join the Hawkeyes after winning the 3-A state championship in his senior campaign. He is a winner.

Vandenberg leaves high school with essentially ownership of the state passing record book. He set the single season passing yards and single season touchdown records this season (3729, 49). He also owns the career passing yards record (7,677) and career touchdowns mark (93). He is productive.

The most impressive thing about young Vandenberg is his footwork and technique. He rarely throws from his back foot. His feet are quick enough for him to get set properly on boot-legs and role outs. He is very accurate throwing the deep ball and his fade pass is as pretty as any will ever look.

He is a winner, he is productive and his is technically sound. I like the chances of this kid out performing his recruiting rankings (Rivals-UR, Scout-UR, ESPN-#55 QB).

He is not a huge specimen at quarterback and he will need to add weight. I also wonder about his arm strength. Can he throw an 18-yard out route from the opposite hash on a rope?

Iowa High School Athletic Association