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They always say when it rains it pours. That seems to have a negative connotation and Hawkeye fans can certainly attest to that. But tonight, it’s raining Iowa football commits. Less than an hour after the Hawkeyes landed a big time commitment from in-state offensive lineman Josh Volk, they got some more good news.
This time, it came from across the border in Illinois as fellow offensive lineman Tyler Elsbury made his announcement.
I am now announcing my commitment to The University of Iowa!! I would like to thank everyone for all the support throughout this process! I would also like to thank all of the other university’s for there support over the last year. It just feels like home. pic.twitter.com/IIdOk48fpg
— Tyler Elsbury (@ElsburyTyler) March 9, 2019
Elsbury is another big body along the offensive front. He has some versatility at 6’5” and just south of 300 pounds. Rivals lists him as a 3-star and projects him as an offensive tackle. 247 Sports also has him as a 3-star, but they see him inside as a guard.
The Byron, Illinois native looks to truly have the ability to play either spot and with his size, he could end up at either in college. However, with his ability to get out in space and put people on their backs and the height at 6’5”, his future beyond the University of Iowa may be at guard.
Like, Volk, Elsbury shows a great mean streak when finishing his blocks. What’s most impressive is his ability to chip at the line and get a body on someone at the second level. That’s a staple of Iowa’s zone blocking scheme and something that should make Elsbury succesfull for a long time to come.
Elsbury chose the Hawkeyes over a slew of other offers, including Illinois, Indiana, Purdue, Missouri, West Virginia and Northern Illinois.
With the second addition of the night, Iowa now has a pair of talented offensive linemen in the class of 2020. That takes the total to eight commitments in the class. The class is split evenly with four each on offense and defense. Elsbury joins Lena native Isaiah Bruce as commits from Illinios in the class, which is likely to come in somewhere north of 20 when all is said and done. The class is now rated 14th nationally by Rivals and 12th by 247 Sports.
Welcom aboard Tyler Elsbury!