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From Greenwood high school to the University of Iowa in hopes of a Big Ten Conference championship and, possibly, a national title. That's the journey Hawkeye's linebacker A.J. Edds hopes to complete in this, his final season, at Iowa.
Highly recruited as a tight end following his senior year at Greenwood, Edds says he chose to attend Iowa because he liked the style of Hawkeye's head coach, Kirk Ferentz. But that's not meant as any disrespect to the Indiana University football program, their coaches or, especially not, their fans.
"My dad is still a big IU fan," Edds admits without hesitation. "But it's a big game and I'm just looking ahead to it like any other one."
With an 8-0 record and ranked #4 by the BCS, they are all important to the senior linebacker. If they win out, a national championship game could be on the horizon for Iowa but they must first accomplish a more immediate goal a Big Ten Conference title.
Watch: Video recruiting highlights from A.J. Edds at Greenwood
"We're focused one game at a time," says A.J., adding that the Big Ten is too talented of a conference to get caught up looking ahead any further.
Last week's thrilling win over Michigan State should keep Edds or his teammates from the temptation to overlook an opponent. Despite a winning streak of 12 games, the Hawkeyes were underdogs last Saturday against Michigan State in East Lansing. Iowa escaped with a 15-13 win thanks to a touchdown on the final play of the game. As time expired, Hawkeyes quarterback Ricky Stanzi hit Marvin McNutt on a 7-yard touchdown pass preserving the victory, the winning streak and, maybe, a shot at a national championship.
Quarterback Ricky Stanzi, who is also a senior, knows the linebacker from Greenwood very well not just as a teammate, but as roommates for both of their college careers.
"He (A.J.) is a total team guy," praises Stanzi.
Off the field, Stanzi gives props to Edds for his likable personality as well, "If he wasn't I wouldn't be living with him for four years!"
IU Sports News
As the Iowa Hawkeyes look ahead to the next opponent standing in between them and their goals for this football season, A.J. Edds was able to think, for a moment, of another game taking place this weekend. His former high school team, the Greenwood Woodmen, will face East Central in the sectional semi-finals.
"I don't know enough to make a prediction," Edds admits. But the Greenwood high graduate expects a great game from his former team.
The Indiana Hoosiers travel to Iowa City to play the Iowa Hawkeyes this Saturday. Kickoff is at 12:05 PM from Kinnick Stadium.
Highly recruited as a tight end following his senior year at Greenwood, Edds says he chose to attend Iowa because he liked the style of Hawkeye's head coach, Kirk Ferentz. But that's not meant as any disrespect to the Indiana University football program, their coaches or, especially not, their fans.
"My dad is still a big IU fan," Edds admits without hesitation. "But it's a big game and I'm just looking ahead to it like any other one."
With an 8-0 record and ranked #4 by the BCS, they are all important to the senior linebacker. If they win out, a national championship game could be on the horizon for Iowa but they must first accomplish a more immediate goal a Big Ten Conference title.
Watch: Video recruiting highlights from A.J. Edds at Greenwood
"We're focused one game at a time," says A.J., adding that the Big Ten is too talented of a conference to get caught up looking ahead any further.
Last week's thrilling win over Michigan State should keep Edds or his teammates from the temptation to overlook an opponent. Despite a winning streak of 12 games, the Hawkeyes were underdogs last Saturday against Michigan State in East Lansing. Iowa escaped with a 15-13 win thanks to a touchdown on the final play of the game. As time expired, Hawkeyes quarterback Ricky Stanzi hit Marvin McNutt on a 7-yard touchdown pass preserving the victory, the winning streak and, maybe, a shot at a national championship.
Quarterback Ricky Stanzi, who is also a senior, knows the linebacker from Greenwood very well not just as a teammate, but as roommates for both of their college careers.
"He (A.J.) is a total team guy," praises Stanzi.
Off the field, Stanzi gives props to Edds for his likable personality as well, "If he wasn't I wouldn't be living with him for four years!"
IU Sports News
As the Iowa Hawkeyes look ahead to the next opponent standing in between them and their goals for this football season, A.J. Edds was able to think, for a moment, of another game taking place this weekend. His former high school team, the Greenwood Woodmen, will face East Central in the sectional semi-finals.
"I don't know enough to make a prediction," Edds admits. But the Greenwood high graduate expects a great game from his former team.
The Indiana Hoosiers travel to Iowa City to play the Iowa Hawkeyes this Saturday. Kickoff is at 12:05 PM from Kinnick Stadium.
