Florida corner picks up Big Ten offer

Ocala (Fla.) Trinity Christian cornerback Dionte Ponder is a big versatile defensive back who is gaining interest. In fact his ability has coaches interested all the way from the bread basket. Last week Ponder picked up his second offer, this one out of Big Ten country.

"I got offered by Iowa," Ponder said. "It came earlier last week. I had gotten it in the mail. First coach Brantley said that he had talked to them and they were sending it and then the next day I got it."

The interest from Iowa was new to Ponder as the Hawkeyes have yet to communicate actively with the two-way standout.

"I was surprised they offered because I had never received a letter from them," he said. "I haven't talked to them yet, Coach Brantley was going to give me a number to call. I was definitely surprised they noticed me because of how far they are away. I was surprised and happy at the same time."

Ponder admits that Iowa would be a long way to travel to go to school and play football but he has been impressed with some of the program's recent success.

"I don't know about Iowa," he said. "I don't know what to say but I hear it's a good school and they're rebuilding. I know they won the bowl game against South Carolina so I know they've got a good program."

Along with Iowa, Ponder holds an offer from Duke and he thinks another offer could be close.

"South Florida, they're supposed to offer later on this week," he said. "If I go to school in Florida, they'd definitely be a top school."

Ponder has been staying busy playing AAU basketball but hopes to get to some campuses this spring to take in spring workouts.

"Duke is trying to get me to come up there to watch their spring game but I'm going to see if I have transportation to go there," he said. "I've already been to USF to one of their practices and UCF, they want me to come to one of their games or practices too. I know definitely Duke and UCF want me to come to their spring game."