On May 30, Ike Iloegbu of Harmony Community School made a verbal
commitment to attend the University of Cincinnati, and the young man from New
York has been unofficially visiting the campus ever since. Ike attended the Cincinnati senior camp on
June 10 and returned for another underclassman camp this week. He explained his frequent visits. “I just love the facilities and all the
coaches. I learned some new stuff
yesterday. I come down just to
watch and learn.”
The 6’ 2”/195 pounder will have a lot to learn since he’s switching
positions this season. Iloegbu had
always played quarterback, but in 2007, he will play cornerback at Harmony and
eventually at Cincinnati. “I’ve picked up a lot of pointers from
Coach Coombs. I thought switching
from quarterback to cornerback would be hard, but I think it will be easier than
I thought. I was able to get a
scholarship from Cincinnati pretty quick so I think I’m doing
pretty well at it.” Keep in mind
that Ike has yet to play a game at cornerback.
Ike begrudgely admits there may be some tough times ahead in making the
transition from offensive signal caller to defensive cover man, but no one can
question his confidence. “I’m
prepared for any adversity because I’m going to work hard and know what I’m
doing. I just have to study my
plays and be confident in what I’m doing.”
Harmony is an area prep school that draws its players from virtually
anywhere in the country. Ike talked
about his new roster. “We have
about 45 or 50 people, but there are about 10 or 20 more guys coming to
school.”
Although Cincinnati has apparently recruited Ike as a
cornerback, the Bearcat staff will likely get the chance to see Iloegbu at a
variety of positions in 2007. “I
think I’ll play both defense and offense because they have me at option
quarterback, cornerback, quarterback and slot receiver.” According to Ike, Harmony will play
about 12 games against other prep schools.
Moving from his home in New
York to Harmony this spring was not easy. “It was difficult for the first 2 weeks
trying to get comfortable in my situation, but after that, I’ve been cruising
along.” Ike lives in an apartment
near the Cincinnati campus with several other Harmony
athletes, and all seem to share one common goal. “I have four other roommates, and
they’re all trying to get a scholarship to Cincinnati too.” They may be teammates on the field, but
Ike laughed about some changes he’d like to see off the field. “They’re males; they’re all dirty. I try to be organized, and I find plates
in the sink, and I have to clean them up.
But I’m starting to get used to it.”
As a fifth year high school player, Ike would like to graduate early from
Harmony and get enrolled at Cincinnati in time to participate in spring
football. “I’m planning to graduate
in December if all my grades are right.
I’m getting all A’s now so I could be enrolled at Cincinnati by the
spring.”
Some of the best local high school players see Cincinnati as a lower tier
Division IA school, but Ike doesn’t understand that kind of thinking. “I’m very excited. They won eight games last year and a
bowl game. I’m proud to be a part
of the program, and I know I’m going to get to play in several bowl games in the
years to come.”
What’s Ike’s immediate goal when he arrives at Cincinnati? “I’m looking to play as a true freshman
if I work hard enough. If that
doesn’t happen, I’ll learn from the people in front of me and get it the next
year.”
Ike had a few things he wanted Bearcats fans to
know. “I love football and the
competition. I’m also a
leader. I showed it today in
rafting. I was a captain, and we
came in first place.”