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Sure, caring is creepy. That's why we generally leave it to the Rivals/Scout guys. But once their signature goes on the dotted line of an Iowa letter of intent, caring ceases to be creepy and becomes essential. So, without further ado, your objects of affection and/or scorn (sometimes both at the same time) for the next four or five years.
KEEGAN RENDER
Offensive Line
Indianola, Iowa (Indianola)
3★ Rivals, 3★ Scout, 3★ ESPN, 3★ 247Sports
You Might Remember Him From Such Posts As: Have a seat, Keegan Render
Depending on which recruiting site you look, you'll see Render listed between 6'3" and 6'4". He was a tackle in high school but at the next level that spells interior line for Render. Perhaps, Iowa offensive line coach Brian Ferentz sees a little of himself in Render. He's a strong run blocker and potentially ends up as Iowa's center of the future.
Rivals lists Render as the 7th best recruit in the state of Iowa this year. One spot behind Iowa commit Lucas LeGrand. LeGrand committed early in the process and behind Ross Pierschbacher, Render was the most coveted of this crop of Iowa offensive linemen. He camped at Iowa State and picked the Hawks over the Clones and Northern Illinois.
2014 Outlook: Render recently had surgery on a foot. If that impacts his off-season training remains to be seen. It's typical for linemen to learn the ropes as a red-shirt. Hawkeye junior Austin Blythe holds down the center position and if that's the spot for Render, he'll have his chance to win it in 2016.
FUN FACT: Render is on Twitter and has a pink background. Of course, Hayden Fry made pink famous around Iowa City when he painted the visitor's locker room for its calming effects. Hayden didn't go a step further and add tiny flowers, though.
LUCAS LEGRAND
Offensive line
Dubuque, Iowa (Dubuque Senior)
3★ Rivals, 3★ Scout, 3★ ESPN, 3★ 247Sports
You Might Remember Him From Such Posts As: Have a seat, Lucas LeGrand
Lucas LeGrand sent his tape to Iowa and shortly after had an offer and committed on the spot. His only other offer came from Northern Colorado. It's possible that LeGrand didn't get much exposure at Dubuque Senior or that other schools failed to bother. Iowa saw something in LeGrand that perhaps others missed. There's a recruiting rumor that LeGrand started to hear from Miami (Fl) late in the process. Miami doesn't come up to Iowa all that often.
LeGrand also plays on the Senior basketball team. In fact, he plays as a forward and not the low post anchor you sometimes see in high school basketball. Iowa has another offensive lineman on the roster that excelled in hoops too. Brandon Scherff. Is LeGrand going to be the next Scherff? Probably not. But he'll come to Iowa with a good frame and good feet. At 6'5" he can play guard or tackle too.
2014 Outlook: His Rivals profile lists him at 260 pounds but let's assume he's added some weight. Still, it's unlikely it's enough to crack the Hawkeye two-deep this Fall. Expect LeGrand to find his way and possibly see some mop-up time in 2015 as a red-shirt freshman.
FUN FACT: Lucas is obviously a talented athlete but an accomplished author he is not. So, don't confuse him with the German author of the same name.
ROSS REYNOLDS
Offensive line
Waukee, Iowa (Waukee)
2★ Rivals, 2★ Scout, 3★ ESPN, 2★ 247Sports
You Might Remember Him From Such Posts As: Have a seat, Ross Reynolds
Ross Reynolds had several FCS options. Northern Iowa offered as did Western Illinois. Iowa came along and asked Reynolds to be patient. He was. Reynolds accepted a "greyshirt" offer at Iowa. That means he'll pay his own way for the first semester on campus next year and pick up the scholarship money and perks at Spring semester 2015. If there's attrition over the Summer that scholarship could start in August too. It's happened before. Adam Robinson comes to mind.
Reynolds, like Render, is on the short side for tackle and projects as an interior offensive lineman. Reynolds, also like Render, will have a couple of seasons to learn his craft before he's pressed into competition. If Render isn't the future center, maybe Reynolds is. Render and Reynolds. Reynolds and Render. Hope they become bookends at guard or otherwise we'll forever confuse the two.
2014 Outlook: Greyshirt is a red-shirt. See you in 2016.
FUN FACT: The similarities: tell me what you think.
