By Tyler Devine

IOWA CITY, Iowa – As the son of a former Hawkeye, Henry Marchese grew up watching Iowa football.

The 2017 receiver now has an opportunity to play on the same field as his childhood heroes, one of them being his father, John Marchese, who played running back under legendary coach Hayden Fry in the 1980's.

Henry Marchese, a native of Lincolnshire, Ill., was extended a scholarship offer by Iowa on Thursday and considered verbally committing on the spot before deciding to discuss it with his family.

"“It means a lot," Henry Marchese said. "Obviously just from going through the recruiting process and being patient with it. But also growing up as a Hawkeye fan with my dad playing there in the 1980’s and just being around Iowa City, going to games every weekend it’s really special. Iowa City is just a great place and the school is amazing.

"They’re my favorite for sure. Honestly I was thinking what if I (committed) but I have to talk it over with my parents first because this is for four years not just one day. I was thinking about it but I have to see what my parents’ input is and just confirm with them if I want to do that.”

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Henry Marchese's speed and passion for the game jumped out to the Iowa coaches on film.

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz also has a familiarity with the Marchese family as he was the offensive line coach under Fry when John Marchese played at Iowa.

"They like how I play with toughness, play with speed and play with passion," Henry Marchese said. "They were telling me how they like my film and how I can get open and get separation with my speed. Also just being tough, going across the middle and blocking my ass off that was a huge thing for them.

"Also with my dad playing here, they knew everything about him because Kirk Ferentz was one of his coaches under Hayden Fry so they knew what they were going to get out of me and what type of family we are and how we operate and what kind of personality we have. I think that was a big thing for them. Also being straight up with them and being die-hards because I grew up an Iowa fan my whole life.

"The one thing they told me when I went on a visit to the Michigan game was that they were sold on me and we were telling them about how my dad was cursing Michigan before the game because he hates Michigan from back in the day. Also telling them about our experiences going to Iowa games and being in Iowa City so they were really sold on me when we were coming back after the Michigan game.”

Like anyone who has attended a game at Kinnick Stadium, Henry Marchese has one memory that stands above the rest.

“There was a game in 2009, I was little," Henry Marchese said. "It was the last game against Minnesota and it was the last home game and everyone rushed the field. We won, I think, 12-10 (it was actually 12-0). I was rushing on the field, just a little kid, and I went up to (former defensive end) Adrian Clayborn and I started tapping him on the shoulder and congratulating him. Right after I picked some turf off of Kinnick Stadium’s turf and I put it in a bag and I still have the bag, it’s literally right next to me right now.

"There’s like three strands of turf and some pebbles in there. Also the 56-0 win over Ball State was one of the most fun games I’ve ever been to."

Henry Marchese is working on setting up an official visit to Iowa with his family before he commits to a school.

"I’ll take a couple days because I want to be patient with it. I don’t want to jump into huge things. I have a visit set up at Illinois Jan. 27 but I may change that and visit Iowa. So I’ll take a couple days and obviously signing day in like two weeks so I’ll talk it over with my parents and see when the right time is. That’s really important to me."

Henry Marchese's twin brother, Michael Marchese, has also received interest from Iowa to play safety. Henry Marchese said there's a chance the two could play at Iowa together but he's not sure what his brother's plans are because it doesn't come up in conversation.

"I don’t know honestly. We don’t really talk about it. We’re individuals and we have different situations. He plays safety and different teams have different needs and he’s talking with Michigan State, Iowa, Illinois and a couple more. I don’t know what he’ll do, we don’t really talk about it.”

As senior at Stevenson High School Henry Marchese had 1,053 yards and 16 touchdowns on 63 receptions. He also has offers from Central Michigan, Army and Bowling Green.