NORMAN — Donovan Roberts wasn’t the only Tiger football player to sign with a Division I school on national signing day. George Kittle also made a much less publicized, but just as exciting, decision on Wednesday.
Just an hour after Roberts’ own signing ceremony was over, coaches from Iowa called Kittle to offer him a scholarship. In the presence of his family and coaches, Kittle was able to fulfill a life-long dream by signing with the Hawkeyes.
“It’s just unbelievable,” he said shortly after accepting the offer. “My heart is racing and my knees are weak right now, but I’m so excited. Playing at Iowa has always been a dream of mine.”
Most of Kittle’s family lives in Iowa and his father, Bruce Kittle, who coaches tight ends and offensive line at Oklahoma, played at Iowa and spent time on the coaching staff following graduation. At Iowa, Kittle will join a familiar face. His cousin, Henry Krieger-Coble, redshirted for the Hawkeyes last season.
Kittle said he likely would have gone to Weber State if Iowa hadn’t given him a chance. He was also weighing offers from Army and Navy.
“I always thought Iowa might give me a shot, and I’m so happy they did,” Kittle said. “I can’t wait to join the Hawkeye family.”
Kittle has big plans to prepare for his return to his home state. He expects to play tight end in college rather than the receiving role he filled at NHS, and plans to work out toward that end.
“I want to put on some weight to get ready for that position,” he said. “My plan is to live in the weight room for the next few months.”
Davis to ECU: Brad Davis is headed to East Central University in Ada to play for the Tigers.
Davis, who was named to the all-district team as a receiver and earned district special teams player of the year honors, will take his talents to ECU.
“It’s been a ride,” said Davis, who also runs track for NHS. “It’s good to know I have the ability to go somewhere and play, because you never want to quit.”
The biggest draw for Davis was the university’s proximity to his family, he said.
Corbin Hosler 366-3528 chosler@normantranscript.com
