IOWA CITY, Iowa – As a native of Lake Zurich, Ill., linebacker Jack Sanborn grew up watching Big Ten football.

He now has an opportunity to play Big Ten football after receiving a scholarship offer from Iowa during a visit on June 18.

Very blessed to have received my second offer from The University of Iowa! #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/IkAojFPARm

— Jack Sanborn (@JackSanborn79) June 18, 2016

“It feels great to get an offer from Iowa,” Sanborn said Tuesday. “I have grown up in the Midwest watching Big Ten football my whole life and to get my first Big Ten offer really means a lot to me.”

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Sanborn also has a scholarship from Iowa State and wants to get better acquainted with both schools.

“Iowa is the only one I have visited so far,” Sanborn said. “I really enjoyed the coaches and the facilities they have there. I plan on visiting Iowa State sometime this summer to get more of a feel about their program as well.”

Iowa’s linebackers have a reputation for being hard-nosed and physical. The Iowa coaches told Sanborn that they feel he can carry on that tradition.

“From what they have told me so far they like my size and really like how I play as a linebacker,” said Sanborn, who will be a junior this fall. “(They like) how physical I am when attacking the line and taking on blocks.”

Sanborn had the opportunity to sit down with linebackers coach Seth Wallace, strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle and head coach Kirk Ferentz during his on-campus visit. He also toured the Iowa football facilities and is eager to get another close look at the Iowa program.

Sanborn said he plans to visit Iowa City again in July.

“I plan on returning to Iowa City sometime in the future to see more of the campus," Sanborn said. "I really like the facilities they have there. But what I enjoyed most was the opportunity to talk with the coaches and (former Iowa linebacker) Travis Perry.

“I really had the opportunity to get a better understanding of what it is like to be a part of the Iowa football team.”