DeMatha DT Darian Cooper talks about choosing Iowa

Just got off the phone with the latest Iowa recruit, DeMatha defensive tackle Darian Cooper, who said that his official visit to campus and his interaction with coaches made the difference in his choice.

"My relationship with the coaching staff has been amazing - Coach [Kirk] Ferentz, [linebackers] coach [Darrell] Wilson, [defensive line] coach [Rick] Kaczenski," Cooper said. "When I went out there, I felt a genuine brotherhood with the guys. They were guys I could get along with, sweatshirt and t-shirt guys. That's the type of guy I am. I don't need the big city lights."

Cooper said he has known Iowa running back Marcus Coker (a 2010 DeMatha graduate) since middle school and that Coker's success this past season influenced his decision. "They were preaching they were not afraid to play young guys early," Cooper said. "That was definitely something that stuck in my head through the whole process."

Cooper joins McNamara defensive back Nico Law, a second-team All-Met, and DeMatha defensive back Jordan Lomax in this yeawr's recruiting haul for Iowa - but he said that it did not matter if he had company making the trip to Iowa City.

Iowa has been in the news recently for an offseason workout that sent several players to the hospital. Cooper said he was on his official visit when the workout took place, though he did not attend the workout.

"From what I saw [afterward] plenty of people were okay, too," Cooper said. "Things happen. They were coming fresh off break. It was an arduous workout. Maybe some guys were laying around and weren't ready for how intense the workout was. I wish everybody well in their recovery. Go Hawks."