By Tyler Devine

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Family is important to Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz and his staff.

It is also important to three-star 2019 receiver Eli Pancol.

Pancol, a native of Pendleton, Ind., took a visit to Iowa over the weekend and was impressed with the interest in his family by the Iowa coaches.

“The coaching staff really cared about my family and I,” Pancol said. “I noticed right away by how they interacted with my mom and my little sister, so I could tell from the start that they were great, trustworthy people.”

The 6-foot-4, 190-pound Pancol enjoyed his visit so much that he now has Iowa among his top three schools, but did not want to make public what the other two schools are.

“I like to keep a top three at all times,” Pancol said. “I would say (Iowa is) definitely in the top three.”

Pancol also got a taste of what Iowa would be like from a football standpoint, including Ferentz’s philosophies and the facilities that would be at his disposal as a Hawkeye.

Iowa’s team first attitude is what stood out the most to Pancol.

“Iowa is really big on team firsthand it shows with their success on the field,” Pancol said. “I’m all about competing as a team and getting wins as a team, so I really like that about Iowa.

“And of course their weight room and indoor facility were really impressive as well.”

Iowa offered Pancol a scholarship at the end of January.

He also has offers from Ball State, Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Duke, Indiana, Louisville, Miami (Ohio), Purdue and Vanderbilt.

Pancol said he is trying to give himself as much time as possible before making his college choice.