IOWA CITY, Iowa – Some Iowa fans might have trouble accepting that a scholarship offer from Iowa State is a worthy achievement.

It’s a rare achievement, something that most kids in this state never get to experience, a chance for a free education and to play football at one of our state’s two Division I programs.

That’s why Shaun Beyer announced on Twitter on Sunday that he had received a scholarship offer from the Cyclones and new head coach Matt Campbell. Beyer was proud of the offer and he has a right to be.

A senior at Cedar Rapids Kennedy High School, the 6-foot-5, 200-pound Beyer has worked his butt off to develop into a major college football recruit and it feels good when somebody rewards you for your hard work.

Beyer also probably tweeted the offer out of respect for Iowa State.

Right away, though, I noticed some resentment from a few Iowa fans on Twitter. Not from many, just a few who wondered why Beyer would tweet about getting an offer from Iowa State when he already is committed to Iowa.

He did it for the same reason fellow Iowa recruit Cedrick Lattimore announced on Twitter that he was blessed to have recently received an offer from Michigan State. It wasn’t out of disrespect or disloyalty to Iowa, but rather out of respect for the Spartans and out respect for himself.

Most kids only get recruited once to play big-time college football and there is no turning back. So why not get the most out of the experience by doing little things like posting scholarship offers on Twitter?

What is the harm in that?

It might cause some fans to feel paranoid about losing a prospect because recruits flip commitments all the time.

But in Beyer’s case, there is a better chance of us building homes on Pluto than him switching his commitment from Iowa to Iowa State.

I joked on Twitter that I would go out on a limb and say that Beyer sticks with his commitment to Iowa. His mother immediately liked the tweet and also said that her son was sticking with Iowa.

Shaun Beyer, I’m told, is as loyal to the Hawkeyes as anybody could be.

The reason he committed to FCS power North Dakota State and also considered a scholarship offer from Nebraska is because Iowa didn’t offer Beyer until late November. He couldn’t just wait and see if Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz finally would extend an offer.

Beyer needed an alternative plan that would allow for football to pay for his college education.

His dream was to be a Hawkeye, but dreams don’t always match reality.

Beyer’s dream came true thanks to him having a spectacular senior season as a play-making tight end and linebacker. He led Kennedy to a runner-up finish in Class 4A as a do-everything performer on offense and defense. Beyer played well enough this fall to convince Ferentz that he was worthy of a scholarship.

Beyer is thrilled to be a future Hawkeye, but he also appreciates the offer from Iowa State. And why shouldn’t he?

As for Lattimore, his situation is different than Beyer’s situation for two reasons. For one, Lattimore, who plays defensive end, lives in Detroit, and two, Michigan State is an elite program.

It would be easier to understand if Lattimore, a four-star prospect, switched his commitment to Michigan State, but he insists that his allegiance is with Iowa.

It probably helps that Lattimore’s high school teammate, fellow defensive end Chauncey Golston, is also committed to Iowa and that Golston doesn’t have a Michigan State offer.

They both plan to take official visits to Iowa on the same weekend in January and will be accompanied by Detroit offensive lineman Alaric Jackson, who has Iowa and Michigan State among his top four schools.

Don’t be surprised if all three players, and Beyer for that matter, announce on Twitter when or if they receive any more scholarship offers.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to be recognized for your hard work, dedication and success.