Saturday we noted that Southern Illinois running back Jewel Hampton, who transferred to the I-AA school from Iowa, was leaving the Salukis and making himself available for the April draft.
As it turns out, SIU will still have a former Hawkeyes player to turn to in the running game in 2012.
According to Randy Peterson of the Iowa Press-Citizen, Mika’il McCall has decided to transfer from Iowa to Southern Illinois. McCall’s sister goes to the school, which seemed to be the tipping point in his decision.
Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz confirmed earlier this month that McCall would be transferring from Iowa after the back announced his decision on Facebook late last month.
McCall had 11 carries for 65 yards this year, most of which came in the season opener. The freshman missed a sizable portion of the season with an ankle injury, an ultimately missed the final two games of the year due to a suspension.
As he is dropping down a level, McCall will be eligible to play immediately. He will have three years of eligibility remaining beginning in 2012.