By Tyler Devine

IOWA CITY, Iowa – As a Marion native, 2023 athlete Alex Mota grew up watching the Iowa football team.

Mota now has the opportunity to play for the Hawkeyes after receiving a scholarship offer on Tuesday.

“It’s truly a blessing to have the offer,” Mota said. “It blessed my family. They’ve grown up watching the Hawkeyes and the whole family is a Hawkeye-bred family.”

The 6-foot-2, 175-pound Mota said he likes Iowa’s winning, competitive culture.

Mota also has offers from Kansas State and Iowa State.

“Their winning culture and the overall vibe of the team (stands out),” Mota said. “It seems like they always want to win no matter what.”

Mota said the Iowa offer was unexpected, but he thinks the Iowa coaching staff was impressed by his work with the youth of Marion.

Mota often volunteers his time to help the kids down at the football field, he said.

“My coach has been talking to Brian Ferentz about me and how I play and all that,” Mota said. “I think probably the big factor is me off the field as much as on the field.”

Iowa does not currently have any players committed to its 2023 recruiting class.