Florida offensive lineman Michael Myslinski nearing decision
By Tyler Devine
IOWA CITY, Iowa – The Iowa football team could soon have its 18th verbal commitment in the 2021 recruiting class.
Florida offensive lineman Michael Myslinski said Thursday that he is nearing a decision and could make an announcement as soon as next week.
“I kind of have it narrowed down to a couple schools,” Myslinski said. “I can tell you that Iowa is in it, but I’m not really releasing a top school list.”
Relationships are an important factor to Myslinski when making a decision.
The 6-foot-3, 285-pound Myslinski said he has built strong relationships with current and former Iowa players, as well as with the coaching staff and with some of the players currently committed to Iowa’s 2021 class.
“Just talking to them and hearing what they have to say about the program,” Myslinski said. “I think location is important, too, where I would be living. One of the three factors I like to use when looking at schools is, first the offensive line coach, how I think he’s going to help prepare me in college and help me grow. And then that same thing with the strength coach. And the head coach if I have a good relationship with him.”
Myslinski said that former Iowa offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs reached out to him to give his thoughts on life at Iowa and about offensive line coach Tim Polasek.
Wirfs, a native of Mount Vernon, was selected 13th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in this year’s NFL Draft.
“We talked just a little bit about the program, and how he liked coach Polasek and the Iowa program, how he’s like when he coaches, what’s life like there in Iowa City,” Myslinski said. “So, it was nice of him to do that.”
Due to NCAA restrictions on in-person contact between coaches and recruits due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some recruits have taken it upon themselves to visit campuses on their own.
Myslinski did just that recently and got the opportunity to spend some time with Cedar Rapids offensive lineman Connor Colby, who has been verbally committed to Iowa since June of 2019.
“It’s definitely a football town,” Myslinski said. “Iowa is the pro team there and I can tell that. I can’t go into the facilities or even go into the stadium, but I got to meet up with Connor Colby, who’s a committed guard or tackle. He’s a great kid and we really kicked it off good. We hung out, we walked around campus. Campus is beautiful and definitely very large. It was really nice.”
Iowa currently have four offensive lineman verbally committed to its 2021 recruiting class in Colby, Illinois natives Gennings Dunker and David Davidkov, and Missouri native Beau Stephens.