Wagner weighs basketball, football options

Huber Heights (Ohio) Wayne's Ahmad Wagner now has options he never anticipated when he committed to Iowa for basketball just two months ago.

The 6-foot-6, 215-pound Wagner has played six games of his senior football season - his first on varsity - and the performance and potential shown in that short amount of time has drawn interest from some of the region's top college football programs. His heart, though, remains in basketball.

"I talked to my parents about it and they told me to stick with what you want to do," Wagner said. "Right now what I want to do is go to Iowa. As far as I know, I'll be signing with Iowa in November."

Wagner did not dismiss the football interest off-hand, though, and he continues to listen to what college football coaches are saying.

"To get that interest from college football coaches after just playing this year is a real humbling experience," Wagner said. "I always like to say that I am a full commit to Iowa because that is the decision I made and that's what I want to stick with, but I'm listening to what college football coaches have to say."

Most of the communication with college football programs is going through Wagner's head football coach, but he has had direct contact with Kentucky assistant coach Vince Marrow, who offered him a scholarship two weeks ago.

"He pretty much explained to me what Kentucky could do for me in football and what I could do at the next level," Wagner said. "He talked about how if I worked hard enough, what I could do even after college in football. He told me I have a bright future.

"He said he was in the same situation when he was in high school, that he was more of a basketball player but coaches told him he could make money in football. He said I could be the same way."

Barring a change of heart, Wagner looks likely to continue his path toward signing a national letter of intent to play basketball at Iowa next month. But for now, he is enjoying the success he is having on the gridiron this fall.

"Before coming out to play this year I was a little tentative because I was out of the game for a year," Wagner said. "I didn't know how good I could be or if I could help the team. The coaches told me there was no pressure and just come out here and have fun. When I came out and started doing alright, I started feeling better about it and now I look forward to every night, coming out and playing my best."

Through six games, Wagner has recorded over 20 receptions at wide receiver and scored six touchdowns. On the basketball court he projects as a forward and is rated a three-star prospect.