Sports : Union\'s Scheel commits to Hawkeye football program

The Iowa Hawkeyes have landed their second commitment in the Class of 2014. La Porte City Union athlete Jay Scheel gave his verbal pledge to Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz this morning before the start of the Hawkeyes' junior day in Iowa City.

Jay Scheel has committed to Iowa. "Jay committed to Coach Ferentz this morning," said Jay's father, Dave Scheel, via text message. "He's going to be a Hawkeye."

Scheel, who grew up a Hawkeye fan, chose Iowa over scholarship offers from Iowa State, Minnesota, and Nebraska. He is the second Class of 2014 prospect to commit to the Hawkeyes this month, joining Cedar Falls offensive lineman Ross Pierschbacher, who made his decision a week ago.

Jay Scheel says there was nothing specific that made today the day for him to commit to Iowa. It was more about fulfilling a lifelong to dream to play college football for the Hawkeyes.

We caught up with the 6-foot-1, 170-pound Scheel to talk about his decision today, what position he thinks he will play in college, and much more.

Q: Can you just talk about the meeting with Coach Ferentz this morning and how it all took place?

SCHEEL: Well, they wanted me to come down early to the junior day, so they could talk to me personally and have me sit down with Coach Ferentz. We were just talking in the press box and catching up a little bit and then I told him I wanted to accept the scholarship and make a commitment.

Q: What was his reaction?

SCHEEL: He kept saying, "That's fantastic," and seemed really excited and so did all of the other coaches.

Q: What made today the day as far as the timing of it all?

SCHEEL: My heart's just been leaning towards Iowa and ever since I've been a little kid, I've wanted to play college football and Iowa has always been the place. I love the black and gold and I just feel at home there. Today just felt like the day because I was going to be able to see Coach Ferentz in person and I just felt like I needed to get it over with.

Q: What have the last few hours been like since you announced it?

SCHEEL: It feels really good. I knew that I was going to do it today, so I didn't really feel like it was going to be like a weight lifted off my shoulders, but once it happened, it really felt great.

Q: In talking with the Iowa coaches recently, what has been the focus position wise?

SCHEEL: Well, I talked to Coach Greg Davis, the offensive coordinator, and he said that he really feels like I can excel at receiver, but if I want to give quarterback a shot, I could. Coach Ferentz also said that, so I'm not so sure I shouldn't give quarterback a shot, but we'll see what I want to do and what they prefer once I get there.

Q: Is that okay with both sides just kind of leaving it open for now?

SCHEEL: Yeah, I'm okay with playing anything really. Part of the reason the coaches want me to play receiver is it's a better chance to see the field, but I think I could do well at either position. We'll just wait and see.

Q: When Ross Pierschbacher committed last week, he said he was already talking to you about joining him and getting some others on board. Did you two turn into recruiters at the junior day today?

SCHEEL: Yeah, we kind of did. Really, him committing made it a ton easier for me because he's a great athlete and a great lineman. It's going to be awesome being able to play college football with him.

Q: What's next for you? Were you scheduled to go to more junior days before?

SCHEEL: Well, now I'm probably not going to go to any more junior days. I'm just going to play basketball and focus on that for now and then when football comes around just have fun playing the rest of my high school career.

Q: Looking back on the day, can you just kind of sum up the overall feeling now that you are back home?

SCHEEL: It feels good. I'm really happy with the decision I made. The whole recruiting process was pretty interesting, but I'm glad that it's over with.

In committing to the Hawkeyes, Scheel chose Iowa over scholarship offers from Iowa State, Minnesota, and Nebraska. As a junior, he earned first team all-state honors at quarterback after finishing with 1,593 yards passing and 1,291 yards rushing, accounting for 42 touchdowns in all.
On the football field, Scheel is a versatile prospect that could play quarterback, wide receiver, or defensive back in college. The Iowa coaching staff has talked to him mostly about wide receiver, but has told the Class of 2014 prospect that it will be up to him where he wants to play.

As a first team all-state quarterback his junior year at La Porte City Union, Scheel finished with 1,593 yards passing and 1,291 yards rushing, accounting for 42 touchdowns in all.

HawkeyeReport.com will have much more on Scheel and his commitment to Iowa later today once the junior day concludes.

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