By Tyler Devine

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Barring unforeseen circumstances, Clear Creek Amana defensive end T.J. Bollers will follow in his father’s footsteps to play college football.

T.J. Bollers, whose father Trevor Bollers played fullback at Iowa from 1996-98, recently received a scholarship offer from Iowa State and has also gotten interest from Iowa.

That’s nothing to sneeze at, especially for a high school freshman who recorded 11 solo tackles and three sacks on defense and caught 16 passes for 135 yards at tight end for the Clippers this past season.

The 6-foot-4, 215-pound T.J. Bollers would love an offer from Iowa, but right now he’s just glad his hard work has begun to pay off.

“(An offer from Iowa) would truly be a humbling opportunity for me and my family,” T.J. Bollers said. “As of right now I am appreciating any offer I get. I’m just thankful that at this point in time that colleges are considering me as a prospect.”

Due to NCAA rules, the Iowa coaching staff has limited access to T.J. Bollers until he is older.

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz and his staff also typically take more time to evaluate prospects and offer scholarships than other schools, especially when it comes to players with three years of high school football to play.

Combine those two factors, and it isn’t too surprising that Iowa has not offered a scholarship to T.J. Bollers, even though he resides in its backyard. 

“I haven’t heard anything so far,” T.J. Bollers said. “I probably won’t until the day of, if it happens. That’s how it went when Iowa State offered. My coach will know before I do.

“My dad has said not to expect a lot of contact other than on visits because I am still a freshman and there are contact rules they have to follow.”

Knowing that his father played under legendary coach Hayden Fry only serves as motivation for T.J. Bollers.

“Any offer from a division one school right now is huge,” T.J. Bollers said. “It’s not everyday that I get offered so I’m absolutely humbled by any offer I get. Knowing that my dad played for Iowa is great motivation for me as I keep progressing.”