Iowa tight end tradition important to 2021 recruit Gunnar Helm
By Tyler Devine
IOWA CITY, Iowa – The Iowa football team’s rich tradition at the tight end position has caught the eye of Gunnar Helm after the 2021 prospect received a scholarship offer from the Hawkeyes Thursday.
Helm is a four-star prospect and is ranked No. 11 nationally among tight ends, according to Rivals.com.
“Being a tight end and looking up to Iowa and the success that they have had putting tight ends into the NFL I felt very honored even talking with coach (Kirk) Ferentz,” Helm said. “So, when they offered I was so excited and blown away.”
The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Helm currently has over 25 scholarship offers, including offers from Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Louisiana State, Nebraska, Penn State, Texas and Wisconsin.
Helm said the Iowa offer forced him to rethink his list of top five schools to include Iowa, but declined to release the rest of his list.
“It has already messed up my top five just knowing that they don’t have a whole lot of offers out to tight ends and that they took their time recruiting me before offering me,” Helm said.
Helm, a native of Greenwood Village, Colo., has a connection to the Iowa football team.
He played one year with current Iowa quarterback Alex Padilla, who was a part of Iowa’s 2019 recruiting class.
“I love Alex,” Helm said. “Being my quarterback for a year in high school, he really helped me developed and was hard on me to get better. He’s a great leader and a great role model.
Helm said he plans on visiting Iowa City despite not being able to meet face-to-face with coaches because of NCAA restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Helm also said he is planning to do a virtual visit.
Iowa currently has 16 players verbally committed to its 2021 recruiting class, but no tight ends.
When asked about the recent racial inequality allegations made by former Iowa players, Helm said he had not heard anything.