Iowa football: Iowa Western Reivers becoming talent pool for Hawkeyes

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EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 30: Wide receiver Nick Easley #84 of the Iowa Hawkeyes is tackled by cornerback Tre Person #24 of the Michigan State Spartans during the first half at Spartan Stadium on September 30, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Iowa 17-7. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

The Iowa Western Reivers are one of the best JUCO football teams in the nation, and the Iowa football program is reaping he benefits of the proximity.

On the far western part of Iowa, lies a powerhouse junior college football program in Council Bluffs, the Iowa Western Reivers. Fortunately for the Iowa football program, the proximity of the two schools is beginning to pay dividends.

The Iowa Western Reivers are a relatively new program–their first year of football was 2009. That hasn’t gotten in the way of their success though. Since their inaugural season where the team went 5-4, the Reivers have rattled off seven season of nine or more wins. This includes one NJCAA Championship, one NJCAA National Runner-Up, seven Region XI Championships, and six end of season top-ten rankings.

This program is good, really good.

In just nine season at the NJCAA level, this Council Bluffs team has sent over 100 players to a Division 1 university. The last three years have seen 17 players named NJCAA All-Americans and one player named NJCAA Offensive Player of the Year.

Currently, the Hawkeyes have two former Reivers on their roster: starting wide receiver Nick Easley and reserve tail back Mekhi Sargent. Both guys are making quite the contribution thus far.