If having a burning desire to prove people wrong is a key to success, then watch out for Boone Myers.

Iowa’s new starter at offensive left tackle is well aware of where he stands as the replacement for 2014 Outland Trophy winner Brandon Scherff.

Myers knows that his position is one of the biggest concerns for the Hawkeyes, who finished spring practice with a scrimmage on Saturday at Kinnick Stadium. He knows because people keep telling him that.

“I take it as a chip on the shoulder and want to prove someone wrong,” said Myers, a 6-foot-5, 300-pound sophomore-to-be from Webster City. “The more I hear it, the better I see it as a chance to prove someone wrong.”

Myers credits his chip-on-the-shoulder mentality for his quick climb up the depth chart. He joined the program as a walk-on in 2013 after playing tight end in high school. He was redshirted as a true freshman before becoming Scherff’s backup at left tackle last season.

“I just came in with that chip on my shoulder and came to work every day,” Myers said. “I didn’t back down from anyone. I went all out on every play just to show that I’m a football player and that I can play here.”

Myers said it didn’t take long for him to become an offensive lineman at Iowa. He thinks Iowa offensive line coach Brian Ferentz had it planned almost from the beginning.

“I think Brian kind of snuck in there and took me right away,” Myers said. “I think he had me pegged as an offensive lineman.”

Myers is the latest on a long list of former high school tight ends who became offensive linemen at Iowa. Some of the others include 2003 Outland Trophy winner Robert Gallery, former all-Big Ten guard Eric Steinbach, former all-Big Ten center Bruce Nelson, former all-Big Ten left tackle Bryan Bulaga and

Iowa’s current starter at right tackle, sophomore Ike Boettger.

“Iowa has a big history of taking big tight ends in high school and they come through here and they’re turned into some of the best offensive tackles that Iowa has ever had,” Myers said.

Myers takes pride in being the starting left tackle. Part of his responsibility is protecting junior quarterback C.J. Beathard’s blindside.

“There is definitely some pride in that,” Myers said. “There is pride in all of the positions on the offensive line.
“But for me, I really like left tackle, especially with the guys who came before me. You want to be part of the legacy and uphold that.”

In addition to being a starter, Myers achieved another milestone when Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz recently put him on scholarship.

“He didn’t make a big deal out of it,” Myers said of Ferentz. “Me and my family, we were pretty excited about me being on scholarship.”