Hill changes direction, chooses Hawkeyes

CEDAR FALLS (MCT) — Pat Mitchell sensed a change in Barkley Hill’s football plans was on the way.

“I saw it coming about a week and a half ago,” said the veteran head coach at Cedar Falls High.

Monday, that change became a reality. Mitchell confirmed that the Tigers’ star running back has backed away from his verbal commitment to Iowa State and will sign a national letter of intent with Iowa on Feb. 1.

Mitchell also said Monday that Cedar Falls senior linebacker Ben Challgren will continue his football career at Duke University.

As for Hill, the 6-foot, 190-pound back had indicated he would join Paul Rhoads’ program at ISU next year. According to Mitchell, Iowa “got in late.” Hill visited the Hawkeyes’ campus this weekend and decided on a different direction.

“He really liked it down there,” said Mitchell. “He and his family got together and he changed his mind. He’s .... going to Iowa.”

In Hill, Iowa is getting a much-rewarded athlete. Recently, Parade Magazine named him to its prep All-America football squad for 2011.

He’s been an all-state running back for Cedar Falls, earning the captain’s honor for the 2011 Iowa Newspaper Association Class 4A squad.

Hill also earned the Iowa Gatorade Player of the Year award.

During his career, Hill gained 6,163 yards and scored 89 touchdowns, a Class 4A record. As a senior, he rushed for 2,491 yards and 40 TDs.

Mitchell said a knee injury Hill suffered in the semifinal round of the playoffs, where the Tigers fell to Bettendorf, should not be a factor.

“It was nothing,” he said.

Mitchell also praised Hill’s talent and personality.

“First of all,” Iowa’s getting a really good person, a good student and a really good athlete,” said the Cedar Falls co-head coach. “He has an unbelievable work ethic. He’s a serious student and he works hard in practice. He’s all the things you’d want football-wise.”