K Donahue draws first Big Ten offer

Chicago (Ill.) St. Rita state ranked kicker prospect Ryan Donahue (6-foot-3, 180 pounds) was hoping that a busy summer filled with various camps would pay off. Donahue's pay-off came late last week when the University of Iowa called Donahue's head coach (Todd Kuska) and extended Donahue a scholarship offer.

"I was basically on vacation all last week so I didn't get a chance to tell too many people that Iowa has offered me a scholarship," Donahue said. "The Iowa coaches called my head coach (Todd Kuska) at school and told him that they were offering me a scholarship. I'm basically just ecstatic about the offer from Iowa and so is my family."

Donahue later that evening called Iowa assistant coach Lester Erb and had long conversation.

"I had a really good talk with Coach Erb that night. We talked about Iowa and what they have to offer, and we also talked about what the coaches see as my role with the team if I decide to head to play for the Hawkeyes. Iowa is recruiting me as a punter, but that could also change in a few years. I can do whatever they need me to do from a kicking standpoint, whether it's kicking or kickoffs, punting, whatever. I'm really excited about this offer no question about it."

Donahue is planning to head to Iowa City before the start of the season to talk in person with the Iowa coaches.

"I told Coach Erb that I was going to make an unofficial visit to Iowa before the start of my senior season. I want to get a chance to talk with the coaches in person. I camped earlier at Iowa and I'm very familiar with the campus and the facilities. I want to get to know the coaches and the program better, plus I also want to look into the overall academic side while I'm there."

So does Donahue have a time frame in mind for making his final college choice?

"It's tempting to jump on an offer now, but I really want to check out a game at Iowa in person this fall. I really want to experience the whole game day atmosphere in Iowa City before I make any decisions. It's hard for me to just feel what it's like on game day unless I get to experience it for myself. I'm planning to make my final college decision during my senior season."

"Iowa is my clear cut leader. I haven't shut the door on other schools at this point, but Iowa is in the drivers seat right now."

Ryan Donahue has scholarship offers this summer from Iowa, Akron, Ball State and Bowling Green.