Hawkeyes lead for Michigan ATH

Iowa is in the lead for one of the top athletes in the state of Michigan.

Perhaps that shouldn't come as much of a surprise, as Iowa is the only Big Ten school that has verbally offered Brandon Watkins thus far.

Watkins, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound athlete from Southfield, Mich., has also received offers from Bowling Green and Toledo.

"I spoke with the Bowling Green coach recently and last week I spoke with a coach from Iowa," Watkins recalled, indicating that all three offers are still on the table. "Iowa's still in the lead. I really like coach (Norm) Parker. He's really influenced me."

While the Hawkeyes are in the lead that lead might not be too safe, depending on what other schools decide to do. For starters, Watkins doesn't plan on making his decision until he's taken a few more visits. He wants to at least wait until early in the fall when he will be able to take a couple of official visits.

Secondly, Iowa is recruiting him to play a position that he's okay with, but he prefers another spot on the field.

"Bowling Green and Toledo are both recruiting me to play running back and I'm very interested in that," he said. "Iowa wants me to play safety.

"I can see myself playing safety but I think in college I would be a better cornerback. Running back is really the position I want to play."

So far Watkins has visited Toledo and Bowling Green but not Iowa. He plans on camping at Iowa over the summer.

Northern Illinois has also been showing interest in Watkins as a running back.