Kallenberger sees opportunity at Iowa
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Iowa football fans had been speculating for months about the recruiting status of 2017 three-star offensive lineman Mark Kallenberger.
The speculation finally ended on Thursday when Kallenberger committed to Iowa during an unofficial visit to Iowa City.
This came as news to many, except for Kallenberger.
“I had planned on committing before I got there today,” said Kallenberger, who is from Bettendorf.
I am very excited to announce that I will be furthering my education and football career at the University of Iowa! pic.twitter.com/TUjcsC1Wy5
— Mark Kallenberger (@m_kallenberger) March 31, 2016
The 6-foot-6, 250-pound Kallenberger had other notable scholarship offers from Iowa State, Missouri and Nebraska. But Iowa had three things that made Kallenberger feel like it was the right place for him.
“(The first thing was) the stability that Iowa has and knowing the coaches aren’t going anywhere,” Kallenberger said. “The second thing is coach (Chris) Doyle and his strength and conditioning program which is the best in the nation.
“The final thing is that I’m close to home.”
Iowa has a history of molding unknown, home-grown talent into award-winning college and professional offensive linemen. Kallenberger has now joined a special group of offensive lineman at Iowa and he also hopes to achieve greatnes.
“I think I bring athleticism and a lot of room to improve,” Kallenberger said. “All I know is I want to be the best player that I can be.”
Kallenberger is the seventh player to committ to Iowa’s 2017 recruiting class and the fifth in state.
Iowa’s other in-state recruits are North Fayette defensive tackle Juan Harris, Madrid defensive end Coy Kirkpatrick, Mount Vernon offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs and Solon tight end/linebacker Jacob Coons.
Five-star defensive A.J. Epenesa from Edwardsville, Ill., and three-star defensive back Djimon Colbert from Kansas City, Mo., round out the rest of Iowa’s class.
Mark Kallennberger junior year highlight tape: