Zach Brand looking forward to opportunity at Iowa
Grimes native will playing running back for Hawkeyes
By Tyler Devine
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Zach Brand could have played college football and gotten a mostly free education.
But none of the opportunities he had compared to the one he would have as a preferred walk-on at Iowa.
The Grimes, Iowa, native announced Jan. 23 that he accepted a preferred walk-on offer at Iowa.
“Northwest Missouri State gave me a really good scholarship,” Brand said. “And it was really hard to decide if I wanted to try to walk on at Iowa where I’ve always wanted to play or go somewhere that I’m paying for a book every single semester. It was a really hard decision. I wouldn’t be able to make the decision if I didn’t have enough confidence in myself to work my way into earning (a scholarship) there or sliding my way onto the field or believing in my own talents.”
Iowa has yet to land a running back on scholarship in its 2021 recruiting class, and has just four running backs on its current roster on scholarship.
The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Brand said being able to see a path to the field was a factor in his decision.
Iowa’s history of turning walk-ons into college stars, and sometimes NFL Draft picks, also played a large part in Brand’s decision to go to Iowa.
“I’ve heard of all the preferred walk-ons that have done great things for Iowa,” Brand said.”And I know that Iowa is one of the best schools when it comes to preferred walk-ons, and it’s not like anyone is trying to hide it because just about everyone knows how well preferred walk-ons have done there. So, that was another thing that made me feel more comfortable with my decision.”
Brand finished last season with 130 carries for 839 yards and 12 touchdowns.