The debate came to a conclusion Wednesday, for now at least. A.J. Derby will play quarterback at Iowa.
This is from Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz. Ferentz also called Derby, a 6-foot-4, 220-pounder a “Tim Tebow” type of athlete. He also said if Iowa changes its style of offense to accommodate Derby’s skills, so be it.
“That’s our intent is for him to play quarterback,” Ferentz said at his signing day news conference. “We’re eager to see how he can progress and improve.
“And if things change in our style a little bit, that’s …

Wednesday was signing day at Cedar Rapids Washington. Six athletes signed national letters of intent Wednesday morning in the school cafeteria.
Erika Conner will play volleyball at Mount Olive, N.C.
Maddy Becker will run cross country at Iowa State University.
Shay Gutman will play football at Upper Iowa University.
Andre Dawson will play football at the University of Northern Iowa.
Saxon Dolan will play football at Grand View University.
Matt Huffer will play football at the University of South Dakota.

Today is Signing Day for Division I and II football programs, with the nation’s four and five-star prep players inking their official letters of intent to places like Iowa, Iowa State, Florida and Notre Dame.
We’ll let you know what’s happening every step of the way today. Here’s what we’re planning:

Watch Kirk Ferentz’s news conference live at 3:30 p.m. on www.KCRG.com
Watch video of signing day ceremonies from Mid-Prairie, Cedar Rapids Washington and Linn-Mar high schools later today, right here at IowaPrepSports.
Join The Gazette’s Marc Morehouse as he takes your questions and …

The Iowa Hawkeyes have just barely put the finishing touches on their 2010 recruiting class, but they’re already hard at work on the 2011 class. Ah, the never-ending recruiting cycle of college football.
Cedar Rapids Kennedy junior Christian French said Tuesday night that Iowa officially offered him a football scholarship last weekend. It’s the second offer for French, joining one from the Iowa State Cyclones.
“Yeah, it’s exciting,” French said.
Iowa assistant coaches Reese Morgan and Erik Campbell were at Kennedy’s basketball game against Cedar Rapids Jefferson last Friday night. The 6-foot-6 French …

A new challenge awaits Kevin Miller and his football juggernaut at Solon High School.
The Iowa High School Athletic Association released its district assignments for the 2010 and 2011 seasons, and the Spartans will compete in Class 3A.
“We knew we’d be right on the (2A/3A) bubble. We figured we’d either move to 3A now, or in two more years,” Miller said.
Solon has won the last three 2A state championships and carries a 41-game winning streak.
“It’s a challenge, but with challenge comes opportunities,” Miller said. “We’re going to need more depth, and …

MARION — David Parry lives here. Most of his family is out there.
So his decision to attend Stanford University of somewhat of a homecoming.
An all-state lineman at Linn-Mar High School, Parry orally committed to play football as a preferred walk-on at Stanford. He visited the campus last weekend.
“Both of my parents were born and raised in San Francisco, and all of my cousins, aunts and uncles are out there,” said Parry, who stands 6-foot-2 and 295 pounds.
Oh, and the academics program doesn’t hurt, either.
“David is a very goal-oriented kid. He …

Linn-Mar lineman David Parry visited the University of Iowa last weekend, but did not make an oral commitment.
“He had a really good visit. We’ll just wait and see,” said Linn-Mar Coach Bob Forsyth.
Parry has a visit lined up this weekend at Stanford, may visit the Naval Academy, and has several Ivy League schools on his list.
“Dave is an extremely gifted kid academically,” Forsyth said.

CEDAR RAPIDS — It wasn’t just football that turned Andre Dawson toward the University of Northern Iowa.
It wasn’t just the business school.
It was Mom.
Dawson, an all-state running back at Cedar Rapids Washington, orally committed to play at UNI in a press conference at Washington Thursday afternoon.
“It’s hard for Mom to travel, so this put a smile on her face,” Dawson said.
Hilda Dawson is a breast-cancer survivor who still had medical issues related to the chemotherapy and radiation treatments she has taken.
“Andre told me that he loved me more than he loved …

Cedar Rapids Washington offensive lineman Matt Huffer has committed to play football at the University of South Dakota.
A left tackle on offense and a defensive end, Huffer (6-foot-7, 240 pounds) was a first-team all-stater as the Warriors finished 9-3 and reached the quarterfinals of the Class 4A playoffs.
“They have a nice indoor facility. I mean, it’s not as good as the UNI-Dome, but it’s nice,” said Huffer, who also considered UNI, along with South Dakota State, Augustana (S.D.), Northwest Missouri State and Nebraska-Omaha.
“I’m going to be a criminal justice major, and …

Will Roth, who quarterbacked Linn-Mar to a 9-2 record and a spot in the Class 4A playoffs, has committed to the University of Northern Iowa.
Roth stands 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds. He picked UNI over North Dakota.
“UNI is a great fit for me,” said Roth, who plans to major in accounting and finance. “I really liked the coaches. Their offensive coordinator (Mario Verduzco) is one of the best quarterback coaches in the county.”
Roth passed for 1,686 yards and 11 touchdowns with eight interceptions as the Lions won a Mississippi Valley Conference divisional …