Carlson discusses his decision
As a lifelong Iowa fan, it didn't take long for Bondurant-Farrar linebacker John Carlson to accept a preferred walk-on opportunity with the Hawkeyes. We caught up the 6-foot-4, 190-pound Carlson to talk about his decision and much more.
Q: Why did you end up picking Iowa?
CARLSON: I've been a fan since I was a little kid and I decided that it was my best option. I liked all the coaches and the preferred walk-on offered the benefits I wanted.
Q: What was your process to come to a final decision after your official visit?
CARLSON: I talked to Coach Wallace and Southmayd to clear up any final questions I had today, and I was in from there. I had a great time on my visit and decided that Iowa would be the best for my future.
Q: What questions did they help clear up?
CARLSON: I wanted to make sure I would have the support I needed in academics in order to keep them in check with my busy schedule, as well as some questions involving room and board.
Q: What do you plan on majoring in?
CARLSON: Environmental Science, with a Chemistry or Hydro Science emphasis.
Q: What other schools were considered?
CARLSON: (The) schools that I had offers from and went on actual visits to were Northwest Missouri State and Minnesota State Mankato. I also talked off and on with UNI.
Q: When Iowa offered the walk on spot, did you feel that is where you wanted to be?
CARLSON: I kept a lot of schools on hold waiting for this opportunity to come up. I was hoping to get something from Iowa since the beginning of my process.
Q: How much did the fact that it was your favorite school growing up factor into that final decision?
CARLSON: Big time, especially with the history of the program being so good. A lot of my friends, family, and people in my community all love the Hawkeyes.
Q: How important were the coaches in your decision?
CARLSON: Pretty important. I always felt comfortable around the Iowa coaches. They seem like very honest men.
Q: How did you commit and what was the reaction from the coaches?
CARLSON: Coach Southmayd was at my basketball practice today and I committed to him after practice. We gave Coach Wallace a call and they were both very excited and said they were excited to see me get to work.
Q: What did the staff say about how you fit into their defense?
CARLSON: They like my frame. They think I have a lot of length and athleticism and that could work well at multiple positions. From talking to them, I think it will take a little bit of time for me to develop before they decide exactly how I could help out. But I will be starting with linebackers.
Q: Do you know specifically which linebacker spot they see you playing?
CARLSON: I think they see me more as an outside linebacker, but I wouldn't say I've been specifically labeled.
Q: What are your plans to get ready for the college level now?
CARLSON: I will be running track again this year as I have in the past so I can keep working on my running and leaping abilities. This summer, I plan to get a workout program from Iowas strength staff, as well as working with a personal trainer I've worked with in the past on flexibility and balance.
Q: What was the hardest part of recruiting?
CARLSON: A lot of waiting and a lot of pressure. For guys like me, the contact you get from DI schools can be far apart. Waiting on the next text or call you get from those coaches, while you have a lot of coaches from smaller schools in your ear, can be pretty stressful.
As a senior, Carlson produced on both sides of the ball with 39 catches for 915 yards and 10 touchdowns on offense to go along with 35 tackles and 4 TFL on defense.
See highlights from Carlson's senior year at Bondurant-Farrar in the video below.
Iowa's Class of 2018 walk-ons:
Colton Dinsdale- 6-foot-0, 212-pound LB from Reinbeck, IA (Iowa Western)
Nick Anderson- 6-foot-3, 230-pound LB from Waukee, IA (Iowa Western)
Matt Fagan- 6-foot-5, 265-pound OL from Council Bluffs, IA (St. Albert)
Turner Pallissard- 6-foot-2, 220-pound FB from Frankfort, IL (Lincoln-Way East)
Blair Brooks- 6-foot-3, 190-pound WR from Marion, IA (Marion)
Connor Ruth- 6-foot-0, 215-pound FB from Seward, NE (Seward)
Kordell Stillmunkes- 5-foot-9, 180-pound WR from Cuba City, WI (Cuba City)
Luke Empen- 6-foot-7, 230-pound TE from Goose Lake, IA (Northeast)
Mitchell Riggs- 6-foot-2, 215-pound LB from West Des Moines, IA (Dowling)
Kyle Sorensen- 6-foot-6, 250-pound OL from Waukee, IA (Waukee)
Nathan Nelson- 6-foot-4, 230-pound DE from Waukee, IA (Waukee)
Mike Timm- 6-foot-1, 220-pound LB from Wales, WI (Kettle Moraine)
John Carlson- 6-foot-4, 190-pound LB from Bondurant, IA (Bondurant-Farrar)