Iowa Western LB duo joining the Hawkeyes

The Iowa Hawkeyes will be adding a pair of junior college linebackers at semester in January in Nick Anderson and Colton Dinsdale. The two players from Iowa Western Community College will be joining the Hawkeye football program as walk-ons after discussing the opportunity with Iowa assistant coach Reese Morgan this week.

For Anderson, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound Waukee native, it was an opportunity that was just too good to pass up despite interest from Cincinnati and some FCS and Division II programs.

“I chose Iowa because I know it is going to be the best opportunity for me,” said Anderson. “Even if I were to get offered a scholarship by another school, Iowa is still the best opportunity for me. I know that I still need to develop mentally and physically and Coach Wallace is going to help that along with the best in the business, Coach Doyle.

“The coaches told me that next year three linebacker spots are wide open,” Anderson continued. “Yes, the end goal is to get on the field, but I have to win the off-season first, in the weight room and at workouts. I am going to get an equal opportunity to compete and bring experience to the linebacker room.”

For the 6-foot-0, 212-pound Dinsdale, who is originally from Reinbeck, IA, the chance to play for the Hawkeyes is a dream come true.

"Well, I’ve been a Hawkeye fan for life, so I’ve always been interested and hoping for an opportunity to go there," said Dinsdale. "Coach Morgan first communicated with me last spring ball after a practice and we talked very vaguely about Iowa and what it was all about. That struck my interest and got me a little fired up."

"Then Coach Morgan came by a fall practice this season during Iowa’s bye week and talked to me at practice and went into detail about the Hawkeyes and how they were interested in me," Dinsdale continued. "A week or so later, Coach Morgan called me and offered me a preferred walk on spot for the Hawkeyes and then a few days after that Coach Wallace contacted me and confirmed the preferred walk on opportunity."

"At that point I pretty much knew I was going to be a Hawkeye," said Dinsdale. "The visit that I went to when the Hawks played Purdue was just the cherry on top."

Currently, the two players are busy getting ready for Iowa Western's bowl game against Northwest Mississippi Community College at the UNI-Dome on Sunday. Then, it will be on to Iowa City to begin their careers as Hawkeyes in January.

"It’s honestly amazing," said Anderson. "There's no better program than Iowa, academically and on the football field. I absolutely cannot wait to get started.

"I'm very excited for January to start putting in work as a Hawkeye," Dinsdale said.

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)

Blair Brooks- 6-foot-3, 190-pound WR from Marion, IA (Marion)

Connor Ruth- 6-foot-0, 215-pound FB from Seward, NE (Seward)

Turner Pallissard- 6-foot-2, 220-pound FB from Frankfort, IL (Lincoln-Way East)

Kordell Stillmunkes- 5-foot-9, 180-pound WR from Cuba City, WI (Cuba City)