Former Wayne star dropping basketball for shot at football career

“A person of strong faith, I am following God’s plan and I am eager for this next chapter,” Wagner said in a news release. “I leave the Iowa men’s basketball team with new friendships and incredible memories that I will forever treasure. I want to thank (coach Fran) McCaffery, staff, and teammates for helping me grow both as a basketball player and person.”

The Yellow Spring native was listed at 6-foot-7, 235 pounds on the Iowa roster this past season, when he played in 30 games and started seven.

He averaged 1.7 points and 1.7 rebounds in 9.1 minutes per game, all career lows.

“My plan now is to train and get my body into football shape so I can be ready for when I decide where I will finish my athletic and academic goals,” Wagner said. “Thank you Hawkeye nation for your support and welcoming me when I first stepped onto campus.”

He caught 58 passes for 1,048 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior at Wayne, including five catches for 55 yards and a score in the Warriors’ state title game loss to Lakewood St. Edward.

RELATED: Football swan song for Wayne’s Wagner

That same school year he was the leading scorer on the basketball team, averaging 11.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game as the Warriors went 26-4 and won the Division I state championship.

FLASHBACK: Wagner commits to Iowa

He was one of the top 300 football prospects in the country as a senior when 247Sports rated him as a four-star receiver prospect.

He was a three-star basketball prospect and the No. 10 player in Ohio.