The Iowa football team has added a pair of recruits for 2012.

Running back Michael Malloy gave an oral commitment during an unofficial visit on Monday. Malloy, a native of Sioux City, is a three-star recruit and the No. 5 running back in the state, according to Rivals.com.

The 6-0, 180-pound Malloy has been timed with a 4.41-second 40-yard dash, and he helped lead Bishop Heelan High to the Class 3A championship game in 2010. Iowa offered Malloy a scholarship last month, although HawkeyeInsider’s Rob Howe said it remains to be seen what position he will play for the Black and Gold.

"[The coaching staff] said they would figure that out when I get there," Malloy told Howe. "I played running back all my life, so I definitely prefer that. But wide receiver isn’t far behind … I run routes all the time, so I’m used to that, too."

Joining Malloy as a 2012 Hawkeye is Ryan Ward, a 6-6, 270 offensive lineman from Chicago. Ward chose Iowa over Boston College, Michigan State, and Northwestern.

Rivals calls Ward a four-star recruit and the No. 12 offensive line prospect in the country despite Providence High’s 2-8 season last year.

"He’s very athletic," Providence coach Mark Coglianese told ESPNChicago.com. "He’s got good size, but he’s got a body where he can put on 30-40 pounds. He moves well. He’s certainly a hard worker … he has a lot of upside, [and] I think Iowa sees that.

"With the tools he has and the coaching Iowa has, he should have a great future."

— by Seth Roberts