By Tyler Devine

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Until about a week ago, adding a quarterback to the 2018 recruiting class didn't seem to be a priority for the Iowa football coaches.

But something apparently changed, considering Iowa has extended scholarship offers to three 2018 quarterbacks from three different states in barely one week.

Kentfield, Ca. native Spencer Petras is one of those quarterbacks, along with Draper, Utah native Zachary Wilson and Matthew Baldwin from Austin, Texas.

Wilson is currently committed to Boise State while Baldwin recently de-committed from Colorado State.

The 6-foot-5, 215-pound Petras is committed to Oregon State, but with the Beavers in the process of squaring away its new football staff, Petras is intrigued by the Iowa offer.

“It means a lot,” Petras said. “Especially from a program like Iowa. Oregon State still hasn’t put their staff together yet. I really like Iowa, great football tradition and everything like that so it means a lot.”

Were Iowa to suffer from attrition at quarterback during the offseason, Petras said his interest would be piqued by the possibility of early playing time.

“That would be a big key,” Petras said. “I think the main goal of going to a program is to play. At the end of the day what’s more important is the fit for me and the program and kind of the fit for me at the school.”

Petras, a three-star prospect according to Rivals, wants to sign his national letter of intent during the early period on Dec. 21, but he also would like to visit Iowa before then.

Planning a visit halfway across the country is already difficult and making it more difficult is the fact that Petras’ high school team is still playing.

“I am (going to try to visit) as soon as I can,” Petras said. “The problem is my high school team is still playing so in terms of scheduling a visit it’s tough. But I’m going to try to get it done.

“There’s only so much you can learn over the internet about a place. I think it’s important to try to go to a school before committing or before making any decisions and experiencing it. Throughout this process I’m not going to seriously consider a school unless I go out and visit. There’s only so much you can discover over the internet. You’ve got to go there and feel the environment for yourself.”

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz has not signed many players out of California. In fact, you could probably count on one hand how many California natives have played at Iowa.

Petras said the fact that Ferentz and his staff have offered him shows their dedication to finding the right fit.

“It means that they’re doing their homework,” Petras said. “It’s awesome that they’re recruiting coast to coast, it fires me up. Out here in California, for me at least, one thing I like about the Midwest is how popular football is and its kind of religion out there. Where as in California it’s not necessarily like that.”

Petras also has Power Five offers from California, Louisville and Nebraska.

Iowa currently has 14 players committed to its 2018 class.

Iowa's 2018 recruiting class

Dillon Doyle, LB, 6-3, 215, Iowa City

Samson Evans, ATH, 6-1, 190, Crystal Lake, Ill.

Henry Geil, RB, 6-0, 211, Green Bay, Wis.

Cody Ince, OL, 6-5, 260, Balsam Lake, Wis.

Jeff Jenkins, OL, 6-4, 272, Crystal Lake, Ill.

D.J. Johnson DB, 6-0, 170, Indianapolis, Ind.

Tyler Linderbaum, DL, 6-2, 255, Solon

Jack Plumb, Ol, 6-8, 245, Green Bay, Wis.

Terry Roberts, DB, 5-10, 169, Erie, Pa.

Anthony Torres, TE, 6-6, 235, Mishawaka, Ind.

Noah Shannon, DL, 6-2, 285, Oswego, Ill.

Tyrone Tracy, ATH, 6-0, 187, Indianapolis, Ind.

Julius Brents, DB, 6-2, 179, Indianapolis, Ind.

Blair Brooks, WR, 6-3, 190, Marion