Johnsburg's Fiedorowicz commits to Iowa

Johnsburg wide receiver C.J. Fiedorowicz (right) committed to Iowa on Wednesday. (Northwest Herald photo)

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Johnsburg senior C.J. Fiedorowicz confirmed Wednesday what had seemed inevitable for the last two months.

Fiedorowicz withdrew his commitment from Illinois and committed to Iowa to play football next year. The 6-foot-6, 250-pound wide receiver-safety was rated by national recruiting expert Tom Lemming as one of the top tight end prospects in the nation.

Fiedorowicz committed to Illinois in June after Johnsburg attended a 7-on-7 passing camp on the Champaign campus. He quickly developed a rapport with Illinois assistant coach Joe Gilbert, who coaches the offensive line.

As the college season progressed, Fiedorowicz had second thoughts. His four choices before Illinois had been Iowa, Wisconsin, Ohio State and Notre Dame. As Iowa reeled off nine consecutive victories to start the season, and Illinois floundered, he looked harder at the Hawkeyes.

There were other factors to consider. Illinois does not throw to its tight ends as much as Iowa, and while Fiedorowicz liked Illinois’ staff, there are questions about how long head coach Ron Zook and his assistants will remain at the school.

Iowa assistant coach Lester Erb made several trips to recruit Fiedorowicz, including one Tuesday night to see him play basketball.

Illinois talked Fiedorowicz into attending its homecoming game on the same weekend he had planned to visit Iowa. Fiedorowicz visited Iowa last weekend, after the Skyhawks had been eliminated from the IHSA Class 4A playoffs, and was blown away by the reception.

His mother, Lee Ann, said fans were chanting, “C.J. we want you!” as he walked around near Kinnick Stadium.

Fiedorowicz caught 44 passes for 889 yards and 15 touchdowns this season, helping the Skyhawks reach the playoff quarterfinals for the first time. He finished his career with 42 career touchdown catches, which is tied for third according to the IHSA Web site.