When Jacob Welch sat in an offensive line meeting during his junior day visit with Iowa Football Saturday, he saw a match. It looked a lot like what he’s been doing with the Johnsburg (IL) High Skyhawks. He connected with Hawkeye offensive line coach George Barnett.

“We run zone now, so I’m comfortable in that scheme, for sure,” Welch told HF. “I love how Coach Barnett wants to match up athleticism with aggression and finishing the block.”

Welch (6-6, 290) visited Iowa for its game against Minnesota in November. He loved the environment in Kinnick Stadium.

Saturday, he received more of an inside look into the program.

“My favorite part of the visit was the time we got to spend in the O-Line room with coach Barnett. I also did not know how many of the coaches were former (Iowa) players. That says a ton about the culture at Iowa under coach (Kirk) Ferentz,” he said.

Hawkeye assistant Seth Wallace recruits Welch’s area of Illinois.

“I got to talk with coach Barnett and coach Wallace the most. We talked about the continued relationship building we are doing, my desire to come back for a spring practice and attend summer camp. I love their honestly about how they handle the recruiting process,” Welch said.

Ball State, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Illinois State, Miami (Ohio), North Dakota, Northern Illinois, Southern Illinois and Toledo have reportedly offered him scholarships. Cincinnati, Illinois, Iowa State, Kansas State, Michigan State, Nebraska, Northwestern, Notre Dame, West Virginia and Western Michigan have been recruiting him. He’s visited Iowa State, Northwestern, West Virginia, Nebraska and Miami (Ohio).

He was named first-team all-state as a junior and has been first-team all-conference the last two seasons. He’s also been named the state all-academic team twice.

Welch sees himself teaching history and coaching high school football when his playing days are done.

Rivals ranks Welch as a three-star prospect.