Trojan Signal Caller Signs with Drake University

By Mike Moguin
GTR Sports Writer

When a coaching change occurs at any program, athletes who have committed may second guess their decision. But the change that happened at Drake University was just perfect for Jenks’ quarterback Ian Corwin.
Corwin signed with the Des Moines, Iowa-based private institution on National Signing Day on Feb. 6. He announced his decision two days beforehand on Twitter and had already informed new head coach Todd Stepsis two weeks prior.
Stepsis was an assistant before previous coach Rick Fox resigned the position in December.
“The head coach (Stepsis) now was the defensive coordinator prior and he was actually the coach that recruited me,” Corwin said. “He was like the Oklahoma recruiting coordinator. So, when he got the job, it was perfect. It was awesome. He told me that he was applying, interviewing for it, then he got it and told me he was going to keep the whole staff. There were not going to have any changes. So, that didn’t have any influence at all in my decision.”
Drake first made contact with Corwin a year ago when he went on a junior-day visit. The Bulldogs would continue to recruit him until they offered him last October.
Corwin chose Drake over Emporia (Kansas) State, Oklahoma Baptist, Southwestern Oklahoma State, as well as schools from South Dakota and New Hampshire.
Drake is known for being strong academically, which was one of the big things that played part in Corwin committing, he said.
“When choosing a school, I didn’t want it be based on who had the best football team,” he said. “I wanted to find some balance between a great football program and also a school that is going to give me a great education.”
During visits Corwin made at Drake last summer, he was told by coaches how good of a leader they thought he was. They were impressed with how good he was at bringing the players around him and getting the best out of them.
“On top of that, they said I had a great arm,” Corwin said. “Those are things you want in a quarterback, obviously. You want to be able throw a ball and deliver it the way it is supposed to be.”
There is also the leadership aspect about him that stood out, he said.
Corwin hopes to demonstrate that as soon as he arrives.
“First thing is first,” the soon-to-be Jenks graduate said. “My goal is definitely to become the starting quarterback up there, and hopefully, I’ll have a chance to do that soon. I’m looking to find some of the same success and accomplishments there that I found at Jenks on the field.”
Corwin started three years as the Trojans’ signal-caller, leading them to two appearances in the Class 6AI semifinals and an appearance in the state championship game this past season. The season did not end how Jenks would have liked, as it succumbed to Broken Arrow in the final, but it was a successful season. as the Trojans continued the winning tradition with an 11-2 record under first-year coach Keith Riggs.
“Coach Riggs has a lot of the same characteristics as Coach (Allen) Trimble (who retired last offseason),” Corwin said. “They worked together for a long time. I think it was important for us to keep the train rolling as far as Jenks football, and also, those two years we had, it was really special for what we’ve been through. Especially since nobody thought that we would have the season that we had.”

March 2019