Ferentz statement on Malik Rucker leaving

[Blair Sanderson]

Confirming the news we posted on Sunday.

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Defensive back Malik Rucker has elected to continue his college career elsewhere and will not return to the Hawkeye football program next fall. Rucker is a native of Minneapolis, Minnesota. He played in six games in 2014, recording five tackles.

"We have honored Malik's request to be released from his scholarship and we wish him well in the future," said University of Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz.

 

[Cougar63]

Is there a legit reason for this, or is this going to tyrn into another "ferentz ran off another" thread

 

[mrdr89]

He probably didn't see any playing time coming and decided that he didn't want to sit on the bench for the rest of his college career

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

Fire Ferentz just because!!......

 

[DutchyFunStar]

So where does that leave the scholarship count?

 

[icu81222]

Creaning?

 

[mrdr89]

Creaning?

If he was creaning I would hope he would have gone with a kicker or long snapper that's on scholarship

 

[HerkyHopeful]

No I think Rucker will be a good one, but the the problem is playing time. He is stuck behind 4 guys who are all pretty good and have some solid experience. We're going to be in trouble though since all four are juniors or seniors!

 

[Calhill]

Fire Ferentz just because!!......

Yes, one of many reasons.

 

[Sterling_Wildcat]

So where does that leave the scholarship count?

86 we're still one over

 

[Rocket98]

I think we'll see we are down to 82 or 83 by June 1.

 

[thewop]

I know kids want it "now," but if the kid really does have talent, it would be nice if he'd take a look at the fact that 11 Seniors from last year's team are getting shots with NFL teams, and stick with the program knowing his time will come.

Or he could start over somewhere else, most likely with a coaching staff that doesn't have the NFL clout that Iowa's does.

Obviously we don't know the entire situation, nor will we ever, but it looks like a pure playing time thing at first glance, particularly based on the length and content of KF's statement above.