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There are few positions where Kirk Ferentz and the Iowa coaching staff have built a reputation as strong as on the offensive line. When Ferentz wants a lineman, everyone wants a lineman. The difference is not just what he sees in recruits, but what he can do with them once on campus.
Over the years, that has largely been to find athletic guys who can move, bulk them up and send them to the NFL. With Josh Volk, there is little work left to be done from a physical standpoint.
The Cedar Rapids native committed to Iowa last March as a junior and was already north of 300 pounds. Today, he is officially a Hawkeye.
Homegrown Hawkeye joins OLineU | #Swarm20 @Josh__Volk https://t.co/OXeNkLu015 pic.twitter.com/iFodLbVvFo
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) December 18, 2019
Volk comes to Iowa City ready built for play in the Big Ten. At 6’4” and north of 300 pounds, he compares nicely with most of Iowa’s current linemen. While he primarily played tackle for Xavier, he projects nicely as a guard at the next level.
The frame is already built out, but the weight is good weight. Volk is excellent at using his feet to get into space on sweeps and pulling action. He’s quick enough to track down linebackers and some defensive backs. He has great hands and does well digging out defensive linemen.
In the run game, Volk is a mauler. He uses his size to pummel opponents with a mean streak - exctly what you want to see out of a lineman at the high school level. In the pass game, he’s quick and nimble enough to get into a set and stay in front of most defenders. He’s a player who can come to Iowa City and work to compete early a la Tristan Wirfs, especially given Iowa’s woes at guard this season.
Welcome aboard, officially, Josh Volk!