Corbin Woods met with Iowa baseball coach Rick Heller three weeks ago to discuss the possibility of joining the Hawkeyes next year after he finished his junior college career.

As it turned out, there was no reason to wait.

Heller called last week and offered Woods a spot on the team right now and the Xavier High School graduate was delighted to accept.

"It's been a dream to go there," said Woods. "It's surreal to finally have the opportunity to go play at Iowa. I'm trying to take it all in right now."

Woods graduated from Xavier in 2013 and enrolled at Heartland (Ill.) Community College, where he hit .309 as a freshman this past season. He planned to play for Heartland again as a sophomore, but Heller's offer was too good to refuse.

The Hawkeyes needed another infielder and Woods fit the bill.

"Coach Heller said he wouldn't be talking to me if there wasn't a possibility of me playing," said Woods. "I'm trying to go in there and work hard and see what happens.

"I'm just going to keep my nose to the grindstone and hopefully earn something that's out there."

Woods has strong family ties to UI baseball. His late grandfather, Ken Charipar, worked as an assistant coach with the Hawkeyes. And one of his uncles, Mike Boddicker, was a star player at Iowa before playing in the Major Leagues.

"It's an honor," Woods said of his new opportunity.

Woods thanked Heartland Community College for helping prepare him for the next step in his baseball career. He was planning to begin the fall semester at Heartland Aug. 18. Instead, he'll begin classes at Iowa a week after that.

He's had to register at Iowa, build a class schedule and find a place to live in Iowa City in a short period of time.

"It's been crazy the last couple of days, but I'm very lucky and very fortunate to have an opportunity like this," he said.

Heller led Iowa to the Big Ten playoffs this season in his first year on the job. He previously coached at Upper Iowa, Northern Iowa and Indiana State.

"I like the direction Iowa baseball is headed in," said Woods. "I like Coach Heller and his staff. They seem like a good fit for me.

"It seems like they know what it takes to win. I can't wait to get in there and work hard for them. I think the whole baseball program at Iowa is on the rise."

Woods played in 52 games at Heartland (43-13). He hit two home runs with 31 RBIs and 46 runs scored. He also was 23 for 26 in stolen bases.