Hawks add to RB depth with Juco back Mekhi Sargent

[Harbinger273]

His high school listing on rivals lists his height at 5-10. He's maybe that ... rounding up. However, to be a good RB, you don't need to be tall.

What I saw from Mekhi is that he squares his pads well and he has very good balance. That's probably part of the reason why he didn't often go down on first contact on the highlight film.

Seems like a young man who could be solid for us.

I've seen his height any where from 5-8 to 6 foot but def think his actual height is more like 5-9. In High school he was listed at 225 but now 215. I think 215 is just right. He can be more agile and still take on B1G tacklers. He will receive great instruction at Iowa and excel. I believe Swarm19 will still include 2 RB recruits. Can't flirt with depth issues at the position.

 

[JoelBittner]

As you stated the pipeline may end up being almost as important. IWCC seems to be turning out some solid D1 players consistently. Can't hurt to have that in our back pocket as a possible feeder with the right players.

OMG, this would not be defined as "starting" the pipeline. Seriously, how can you call yourself a Hawkeye and not know the history between the two schools???

 

[Harbinger273]

Sargent likely to be on scholly and was a late academic qualifier leading him to IWCC. Hawks have been after him for a while. Did well keeping this one under the radar.

 

[kceasthawk]

OMG, this would not be defined as "starting" the pipeline. Seriously, how can you call yourself a Hawkeye and not know the history between the two schools???

I realize full well we've brought in players from IWCC before, but its seems to be picking up steam the last couple of years. Previously fans complained that KF was not a fan of bringing in JUCO players, but there seems to be a shift in his thinking lately. That was my point.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Thanks for the info, @Broadhead81 . Do you have any insights as to why Mekhi didn’t receive any offers coming out of high school? Guys who score 27 touchdowns in a season in Florida usually get a look or two. TIA

He had an offer from Marshall and another small school. From the evidence, my guess would be that it likely was an academic thing. Schools rarely give committable offers to guys who are academic liabilities (unless they're 5-star sort of talents).

 

[SuperSK]

He had an offer from Marshall and another small school. From the evidence, my guess would be that it likely was an academic thing. Schools rarely give committable offers to guys who are academic liabilities (unless they're 5-star sort of talents).

He could be the second coming of the rolling ball of butcher knives (Hayden adjective). Richard Bass clone....one cut back..power...tough..battering ram..

 

[MitchL]

I don't see any downside to adding him to the team . None!

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

I don't see any downside to adding him to the team . None!

Agreed - absolutely no downside here. Another key thing is that even though he only played in the JUCO ranks ... he benefitted from the confidence gained by seeing so many high-quality reps. That is pretty invaluable experience. Furthermore, he's a tough, physical kid ... so he seems like a really nice fit for the Hawks too.

We'll need 3 high quality backs ... and he'll be in the race to be one of them!

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

Do we even know if this guy is a schollie or walk on yet?

 

[Harbinger273]

Do we even know if this guy is a schollie or walk on yet?

Nothing official that I'm aware of yet. Leistikow wrote that he likely will be on scholarship according to his coach at IWCC.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

Nothing official that I'm aware of yet. Leistikow wrote that he likely will be on scholarship according to his coach at IWCC.

Good stuff Harb. I like the pickup. I think this guy is more Toren young than IKM. Seems like the kind of guy who can get lost behind a pile and power through for a solid 3 or 4.

 

[SansSouci]

Iowa winning at all costs taking JUCOs SMH

Winning is the key word in your statement. Something the Huskers are not doing. At all cost...ha! Weirdo

 

[onionman1]

OMG, this would not be defined as "starting" the pipeline. Seriously, how can you call yourself a Hawkeye and not know the history between the two schools???

How can you be such a d&*k? (Seriously)

 

[onionman1]

He had an offer from Marshall and another small school. From the evidence, my guess would be that it likely was an academic thing. Schools rarely give committable offers to guys who are academic liabilities (unless they're 5-star sort of talents).

Louisville offered him.

 

[Harbinger273]

Louisville offered him.

They offered after he got to IWCC, not out of high school. Bittner clearly dealing with personal angst over something chiming in with one negative post.

 

[ICTrojans99]

They offered after he got to IWCC, not out of high school. Bittner clearly dealing with personal angst over something chiming in with one negative post.

It's Bitter not Bittner.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Louisville offered him.

Not out of high school - I believe they offered him when he was a JUCO already.

 

[Johnsoda123]

The point is Iowa was dangerously thin at RB, partly due to the Toks situation. I don't know anything about this kid, but Geil should prepare himself to possibly play some snaps as a true freshman.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

I like the fact the article says we had been pursuing him for some time. That's some "scratch where it itches" recruitting out of the staff. Geil is a stud but a RS would be REALLY nice to get him up to weight. This kid is going to be able to take a blow and give one. I have long been a K. Bryan fan but this tells me he isnt cutting the mustard.

 

[Blair Sanderson]

Yeah, we reported in January that Iowa stopped by to visit Sargent. They told him at the time they'll stay in touch and see if anything opens up. Louisville was in a similar situation and ended up offering him a blue shirt in April, but filled their spot before he could accept it. Iowa might end up doing something similar, having him walk-on for a year and go on scholarship in 2019. Or he may end up on scholarship yet this year.

 

[ichawk24]

Strohmeier thinks Sargent will be on scholarship at Iowa, although a university spokesperson wasn’t able to confirm his roster addition as of Sunday afternoon. Monday marks the first day of summer school, so perhaps there will be official word soon.

Sargent has three years of eligibility remaining, Strohmeier said. He has already used his redshirt season, so the Hawkeyes likely are planning to see what he can do right away.

Strohmeier said Sargent ended up at Iowa Western after becoming a late academic qualifier. But, he added, the Hawkeyes have long been pursuing him. Now that he’s coming aboard, it’ll be an interesting story to watch — and similar to a year ago, when the Hawkeyes added a summertime running back (in Butler) to its stable.

 

[DaCDiggity]

I said in the other mekhi thread that appearance wise he reminds me of Jewel Hampton (I don't really remember jewels running style since all his unfortunate injuries)

 

[millhawk]

Iowa will definitely take two rb's in this class. Especially if it's the right two. They would never turn down Tyler Goodson.

 

[TheHawkeyeDudeAbides]

Hopefully, this news will not change the mind of Jirehl Brock. He is currently visiting the Goofies (Gophers) and Af-Fleck is passing out alot of tainted Kool-Aid and doing many photo ops. I really want Iowa and the rest of the B1G to smash mouth Minny in the teeth and leave Minnesota limping with its tails between its legs at every game.

Really want Brock as a Hawkeye ( and 2020 In-Stater Gavin Williams).

 

[LaQuintaHawkeye]

I have long been a K. Bryan fan but this tells me he isnt cutting the mustard.

That’s a ridiculous assumption.

We’re thin at the position and this add simply helps solidify depth. Unless you KNOW something we don’t?

 

[Shermski77]

Wadley clone?

 

[bojihawk44]

Wadley clone?

No. Watch his highlights.

 

[David1979]

Good pickup to add depth.

 

[myteamcanbeatupyourteam]

Someone is sensitive. One of your own started a thread about Nebraska “winning at all costs” taking JUCO kids. Take a joke dude.

There must not be a Nebraska board.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

That’s a ridiculous assumption.

We’re thin at the position and this add simply helps solidify depth. Unless you KNOW something we don’t?

I know nothingggggggg. It was just an assumption and if the kid is walking on probably not an accurate one. With bringing in 2 RBs in '18 and 2 RBs in '19 if Sargent was on schollie and Harrell had to be moved over it just led me to believe they were not overly in love with what KB was bringing to the table. 8 "running backs" plus whatever you call S. Evans is alot of distribution to one spot in 2020.

 

[ThrowBones92]

Welcome aboard. 5-11 215 and 1500ish yards as a juco is solid. Very excited about this pick up and keeping the IWCC pipeline active.

Didn't you say that Nebraska spot-recruiting JUCOs was a win-at-all-costs strategy?

 

[Hawk_4shur]

I like the highlight tape. Looks like a very good blocker for his size, fearless running, blocking and catching. It's also nice to see a highlight tape where the guy doesn't run 80 yards on every play because he's a better athlete than the D. The Sargent can actually break tackles.

 

[kceasthawk]

Wadley clone?

Supposedly he weighs 215 already, so NO. I'd say more along the lines of Butler or L Daniels.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

Didn't you say that Nebraska spot-recruiting JUCOs was a win-at-all-costs strategy?

Didn't you say that Nebraska spot-recruiting JUCOs was a win-at-all-costs strategy?

"We" might bring in one JC kid a year to fill positional needs. Scooter has signed 6 juco guys since going to Debra. It wasnt the signing of the jucos that I was referencing it was turning the roster over. That was a secondary aspect to my "winning at all costs."

 

[bumpstock]

Giddy-up ~ solid pick-up from a nationally ranked JUCO program. Three years of eligibility; proven academic success at the college level; willing to "prove" he's worth a Hawkeye scholarship; proven athletic success against strong JUCO competition. Thanks Mekhi ~ real Hawks fans believe in you!

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

I seriously dont think I can "like" the way the U of I is working with IWCC enough. Hopefully the two coaching staff start/continue working together to get kids who are serious D1 talent into IWCC with the goal of playing for Iowa. There are some seriously talented guys who realize just a little too late they are not going to get D1 handed to them with D grades. One way of getting around the "no oceans, mountains etc..." is to have a built in pipeline. I'm not saying we should go full on Juco but identifying 2 or 3 kids a year and both staffs working together might mean Iowa ends up with 1 or 2 extra guys.

 

[Obviously Oblivious]

Looks like a tough kid and he's willing to lay a good pass protection or downfield block for his team. Seems like a perfect fit for our scheme and our program. Competition is a good thing.

 

[desihawk]

Sargent is described as the first team juco aa RB in the article and his stats both at juco and as a hs senior are outstanding. We need 3 effective backs this fall, so good pickup no question.

That said, I see other juco rbs (for eg the Nebraska and Ole miss pick ups) who claim to be juco aa or number one ranked rb. Interesting that everyone says they got the best juco guy.

 

[Kurt Warner]

Wadley clone?

The likes of Wadley don't come around too often

 

[Rustys Dad]

I'm all for competition ... And I give kudos to any player who doesn't shy away from competition. Welcome aboard to this young man and Go Hawks!