By Tyler Devine

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The Iowa football team has a penchant for turning lightly recruited high school prospects into college standouts.

2020 defensive back Keylen Gulley has a chance to become just that after receiving a scholarship offer from Iowa last week.

“(I was) very grateful to get the offer,” Gulley said. “It’s very humbling and it just opened my eyes really, showing me anything is possible if you work. Iowa is one of my dream schools, to get that offer was unreal.”

Gulley, a native of Largo, Fla., is no stranger to the Iowa program.

Gulley’s high school coach is former Iowa defensive back Marcus Paschal, and he is related to Iowa freshman receiver Calvin Lockett.

“The tradition they have with putting people in the NFL (stands out),” Gulley said. “My head coach Marcus Paschal being one of them. My older cousin Calvin Lockett is there now and just hearing their stories about Iowa just got me. I communicate with some coaches there and I just loved the way they do things. I just can’t wait to visit.”

The 6-foot, 167-pound Gulley said that Paschal and Lockett have regaled him with stories of their time at Iowa and also have helped him through the recruiting process.

“Coach Paschal has shared so many stories I don’t even know where to start,” Gulley said. “Call tells me to make sure I know that it’s a recruiting process and I should enjoy it, but don’t get over the top because up there I will need to come and work from day one. Nothing is given and your spot could be gone in a heartbeat.”

Gulley said he is also getting interest from Eastern Kentucky, North Dakota State, South Dakota State, Western Kentucky, South Dakota and Tennessee State.

Gulley also said he doesn’t have a timeline for when he would like to make his college choice.

Iowa currently has nine players committed to its 2020 recruiting class.

Iowa’s 2020 recruiting class

Gavin Williams, RB, 6-0, 195, West Des Moines, Iowa

Deuce Hogan, QB, 6-4, 191, Grapevine, Texas

Michael Lois, DE, 6-4, 260, Elkhorn, Wisc.

Isaiah Bruce, DE, 6-2, 247, Lena, Ill.

Logan Jones, DE, 6-3, 252, Council Bluffs, Iowa

Ethan Burkett, LB, 6-3, 230, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Josh Volk, OL, 6-4, 306, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Tyler Elsbury, OL, 6-5, 298, Byron, Ill.

Elijah Yelverton, TE, 6-5, 235, Dallas, Texas