If you’re a high school prospect interested in Iowa, the program’s summer recruiting tailgates provide a glimpse into what it would be like to be a Hawkeye.

Class of 2017 Mount Vernon (IA) High offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs experienced that gathering on Saturday. He said one of his favorite parts was running out into Kinnick Stadium with the other prospects.

Iowa provides a jersey for each of the visitors. They then send them through the tunnel onto the field like the real-life Swarm does on Saturdays in the fall.

"Some of the Iowa staff were yelling and whistling and cheering as we came out. I just thought it was pretty awesome because it gave you a little taste of what it’s really like," Wirfs said.

Iowa offered the 6-foot-4, 265-pound Wirfs a scholarship after he camped at the school in June. AllHawkeyes.com spoke with him after it and published this exclusive story and video interview.

Unlike the camp experience, where the visit was mostly confined to the football facilities, Wirfs saw more of what Iowa had to offer him this past weekend.

"I really enjoyed the tour of the campus. I have been to Iowa City many times but I have never had the opportunity to see their campus the way we did at the tailgater. So, that was really fun," he said.

Wirfs also spoke with more members of the Hawkeye coaching staff than he did earlier in the summer. They delivered to him a consistent message.

"I believe I talked with all of them. They said were glad that I came down to the tailgater. They asked when my football camp started and wished me good luck," he said.

The coaches invited Wirfs back to campus to see their training camp in action this month. He said he’d likely stop back there in a few weeks but didn’t have an exact date.

Wirfs recruitment is in its infancy. He said he’s not yet hearing from schools outside of Iowa but also isn’t in a hurry to end it.

"I’m still just going to take my time with the process. I kind of want to see how things play out and see what happens," he said.