Gervase walking on at Iowa
Davenport Assumption safety Jake Gervase had narrowed his choices down to either walking on at Iowa or Boston College, but an official visit to Iowa City this past weekend sealed the deal for the Hawkeyes. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Gervase announced today that he will attend the University of Iowa where he hopes to eventually earn playing time at free safety. We caught up with him to talk about his decision, his future with the Hawkeyes, and much more.
Q: Why did you pick Iowa?
GERVASE: I went on an official visit this last weekend and I fell in love with the facilities and the program. I met with the coaches and I liked them a lot. One of the main things they said is that nothing is guaranteed but there is an opportunity to play early. They have a couple of senior safeties who will be graduating after my redshirt year. I'll have an opportunity to see the field early on if I work hard.
Q: What other schools were considered?
GERVASE: I was looking at Boston College and I had a preferred walk on there. I had an offer from Air Force but that didn't work out due to food allergies. They have a strict policy about that with their football program. I had it narrowed down to Boston College and the University of Iowa. After my visit this last weekend, I fell in love and had that gut feeling.
Q: Iowa seemed to slow down in-season recruiting you. When did they pick it up?
GERVASE: I think it was right after the season. I kind of started talking to Coach Morgan a lot more. He stopped into my house twice and came to the school a couple of times. I got invited to the Iowa-Michigan State basketball game. It happened pretty fast. After this last weekend, I knew it was the right decision for me.
Q: How was your visit this weekend to Iowa?
GERVASE: It was great. I got to see all the facilities but the facilities I'll be using will be brand new. I got to see them now and had a chance to meet with the defensive back coach and the defensive coordinator. I sat down with Coach Ferentz and talked with him. Myself and my parents both fell in love with it and that really helped with my decision.
Q: What did they say about your role?
GERVASE: They see me as a free safety for sure. The opportunities are wide open because they have two seniors who will be safeties. After my redshirt freshman year, they'll be graduated. Nothing will be given to me but I'll have an opportunity to work hard and possibly see the field. I'll set my goal high.
Q: What are your plans to get ready for the college level?
GERVASE: I'm still kind of recovering from shoulder surgery but I'll be cleared in a month and a half. I'll play baseball this summer but I'll have a workout sheet. I'll be working with Joe Conklin, our defensive coordinator. He played safety at Iowa so I'll be doing that and watching film with him. As soon as the shoulder gets cleared, I'll be concentrating on baseball but after that I'll be gearing towards the fall.
Q: When will you report?
GERVASE: Due to baseball, I'll be reporting the first week of August for camp. I could go up there and take a class this summer to work out with the team but I have a commitment with baseball. I'll be chasing a state title this summer and reporting there the first week of August.
As a senior, Gervase finished the season with 60 tackles and eight interceptions on defense. He also started at quarterback for Assumption, leading them to a 9-2 record, and had 1,006 yards passing and 985 yards rushing, accounting for 18 touchdowns in all.
Iowa's 2014 walk-on class now includes:
Jake Gervase - 6-foot-1, 190-pound DB from Davenport, IA (Assumption)
Dalton Ferguson - 6-foot-4, 315-pound OL from Solon, IA (Solon)
Jacob Sobotka - 6-foot-3, 215-pound LB from Mount Ayr, IA (Mount Ayr)
Zach Johnson - 6-foot-3, 245-pound LS from Minnetonka, MN (Hopkins)
Eric Grimm - 6-foot-2, 200-pound LB from Olney, MD (Good Counsel)
Brandon Snyder - 6-foot-0, 190-pound DB from Inwood, IA (West Lyon)
Sam Brincks - 6-foot-5, 221-pound DE from Carroll, IA (Kuemper Catholic)