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1/3/2008-Football
Semmes ends recruiting with Iowa commitment
By Mike Rosenbaum of The West Bloomfield Eccentric
Jason Semmes wasn't in a rush to select a college.
But he hopes to do plenty of rushing in college - at least on the football field.
The Orchard Lake St. Mary's senior played tight end on offense as well as defensive end for the Eaglets for three varsity seasons. Although most college recruiters saw the 218-pounder as a linebacker, University of Iowa coaches remained open-minded.
"They're the only school that would actually give me a chance to play defensive end," Semmes says. That's one reason that Semmes gave the Hawkeyes a verbal commitment recently, while visiting the Iowa City campus.
"Iowa was just the right place for me," Semmes adds.
What stood out during his visit that motivated him to commit on the spot?
"Just the people," Semmes says. "It just felt right to me - the coaching staff, where they're going with their program. And I just felt like I could contribute."
Semmes' recruiting process began with a bang as Notre Dame was the first school to contact him, during his junior season. Over the next year Semmes received plenty of interest across the Midwest, mainly from Big 10 and MAC schools. Semmes eventually narrowed his choices to Iowa, Michigan State and Purdue. He'd already visited the MSU and Purdue campuses unofficially, and had an official visit to Purdue planned at the time of his official visit to Iowa. But the Purdue visit was canceled after his Iowa commitment.
Semmes will likely redshirt next season. He'll practice with the team, retain four years of college eligibility and will undoubtedly spend plenty of time in Iowa's weight room.
Semmes acknowledges he must add "a lot of weight" to play defensive end at the college level. It's also possible he'll wind up moving to linebacker.
"They've never seen me play linebacker," Semmes says. "I've only played defensive end here. So we'll see what happens."
Semmes prefers defense in general, and defensive end in particular, because he enjoys "just reacting, hitting people. I play offense, but it's not as comfortable."
He should be comfortable with the Hawkeyes, who employ a defensive scheme with which Semmes is familiar.
"They play a lot like we do here (at St. Mary's), the 4-3," Semmes says. "They all rush the ball. Their defensive ends are rush ends and I like that. Just kind of continue what I've done here and just try to get to the quarterback."
Semmes calls Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz "a great guy. He was over my house, talking to my parents, just a real family guy. And I just feel real comfortable with him and playing for his program."
Semmes adds that St. Mary's football program "has been great. Just the support from around here, the tradition, you can't beat it. Coach (George) Porritt's a great guy, he's always looking out for his players. Just being a part of this has really opened my eyes to see what's out there for me. High school football is probably one of the most exciting times of your life. So I'm really going miss it. Next year I'll hopefully get back for some games. My brother (Justin) is on the team so I want to see him play a little bit."
Semmes plans to make his college commitment official in February, when football players are permitted to sign national letters of intent. But for all practical purposes, the recruiting process is over for Semmes.
"It's a relief," Semmes says. "I don't have to worry about anything any more. Just focus on my grades and finish out strong. At the end I didn't really like (the recruiting process) just because of people saying stuff about this and that, and pressures and stuff like that. But overall it was really exciting having colleges talk to you. It was really exciting being a part of it. I'm not a huge-name recruit like some of those other guys. I know it's got to be crazy for them. It just got a little cutthroat at the end and I didn't like that but overall it was pretty good."
Indeed, for Semmes, all's well that ends well for a future defensive end.
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