Iowa Football Recruiting: Hawkeyes Land Commitment from Florida OL Michael Myslinski

We’re now more than a month since college football’s early signing period back in December and the late period is now quickly approaching. The Iowa Hawkeyes have had a quiet fall and winter on the recruiting front after racking up a number of early commitments from prospects the Iowa staff identified early.

One such target was Jacksonville, Florida offensive lineman Michael Myslinski. The son of now former Jaguars strength and conditioning coach Tom Myslinski, Michael and the Hawkeye staff found each other early and bonded around a dedication to hard work and winning the on-field battle with off-field work. That came with a scholarship nearly a year ago.

That offer was one of more than two dozen offers Myslinski would acquire during the recruiting cycle, including the likes of Florida State, Oregon, Virginia Tech, Michigan State and others. But one stood for the big man as Myslinski committed to the University of Texas last August.

However, with rumors swirling about coaching instability, Myslinski didn’t sign his national letter of intent during the early period and instead decommitted just before Texas parted ways with head coach Tom Herman.

Iowa, of course, was highly interested in building on the relationship they had started previously. Myslinski was interested, but also interested in Michigan State and Maryland where he had family and friend connections that had also been built over years.

On Saturday, Iowa’s connection and reputation for developing players into NFL talents won out as Myslinski committed to the Hawkeyes.

While offensive line wasn’t a huge need for Iowa in the late period after signing four linemen in the early period, but Myslinski is no less a big time pick up.

At 6’3” and 290 pounds, the big man has a Big Ten ready body. As a high school senior, his build is nearly identical to current Iowa starter and preseason Rimington Award favorite Tyler Linderbaum.

The comparison is apt as the two look similar on film. Myslinski is an absolute mauler who attacks defenders and finishes blocks through the whistle, typically with pancakes. He has position flexibility spending time at both center and guard as a prep. More impressive, the big man has plus athleticism to get out in space and hunt down linebackers or defensive backs.

Myslinski becomes Iowa’s fifth offensive line commit in the class of 2021, joining a trio of 4-star commits in David Davidkov, Beau Stephen’s and Connor Colby, as well as Illinois native Gennings Dunker. Myslinski projects as a center at Iowa and looks like a likely candidate to spend a year learning from Linderbaum before potentially replacing him in 2022.

Iowa’s class of 2021 was ranked 29th in the nation according to Rivals and 25th according to 247 Sports ahead of Myslinski’s decision. His commitment bumped the Hawkeyes up several spots in each to 24th and 22nd respectively. That will be the highest ranking for the Hawkeyes since the 2005 class came in at #11 per Rivals and #6 according to 247 Sports.

Welcome aboard Michael Myslinski!

Michael Myslinski, C

Hometown: Jacksonville, Fl (Bishop Kenny)
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 290 lbs
Stars: 247 Sports - 3 Rivals - 3