Iowa Signing Day Spotlight: Punter
As we kick off our Iowa Signing Day Spotlight series, we begin at punter where the Hawkeyes were able to add another talented prospect out of Pro Kick Australia in Rhys Dakin.
The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Dakin shows an absolutely huge leg on film, hitting punts over 50 yards consistently with hang time well over five seconds.
Dakin, whose mother was born in the United States, has dual citizenship with several members of his family including his grandparents living in Arizona, so he is looking forward to getting back to America to play college football.
“It means so much to be offered a scholarship to the University of Iowa,” Dakin told HawkeyeReport.com. “It has given me an opportunity to see my American part of the family more often, and also a great opportunity to take my punting and academics to the next level.”
Dakin comes highly recommended by Pro Kick Australia coaches John Smith and Tim Gleeson, who helped develop Tory Taylor before he got to Iowa and is now graduating as a unanimous consensus first-team All-American.
“I was familiar with Tory Taylor and the name and brand he has built for himself,” said Dakin. “I had seen the success that Iowa produces in special teams and figured it would be an amazing opportunity and environment to be in.”
An added bonus with Dakin is that he will be enrolling at semester at Iowa, starting classes in January and working out with the team this off-season. That will also give him a chance to go through spring practice as he gets used to college football, Iowa’s long snappers, and will likely work as a holder as well.
Dakin is a three-star prospect with an On3 Industry Ranking of 79.47.
