Iowa football: Iowa Western Reivers becoming talent pool for Hawkeyes

Nick Easley

Last year, Easley, a former walk-on out of Newton, Iowa,  surprised pretty much everyone as he became Nate Stanley’s go to target and led the team in receptions and receiving yards in his junior year. Although his stat line has been quiet this year, that’s not surprising considering the entire offense has been relatively stagnant in two games. How he ended up in Iowa City, however, is quite an interesting and surprising success story.

The former JUCO All-American almost ended up playing for our in-state rivals, the Iowa State Cyclones. Fortunately for us all, the Hawkeyes caught wind of the 5’11” receiver and offered him an opportunity to walk on. Being a lifelong fan of the Iowa football program. The decision to switch from Iowa State to Iowa was one Easley had to make.

Kirk is also surprised how it all played out, and he is certainly happy with the results. When asked about the connection with Iowa Western, Kirk had this to say:

"I’m only smiling because the first one was almost accidental; I’m thinking of Nick Easley right off the bat, and thank goodness that accident took place. We just kind of stumbled into him. My first conversation I remember vividly I was in my room at Tampa in the bowl game and spoke to him right before or after the holidays. I guess it was after Christmas. He’s just come in and done such a nice job — he’s such a good guy and a good football player."

High praise for a guy who had no Power 5 scholarship offers out of high school after being All-State in Iowa or after being an All-American at a top junior college team.

He is now living his dream playing in the Iowa football program with Kirk Ferentz.