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Published Feb 1, 2016
Jacobus excited about opportunity
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Luke Feddersen
Staff

Cedar Rapids Kennedy defensive lineman Dalles Jacobus put together a special senior season on the football field that included all-state honors and a run to the Class 4A title game. Now, the 6-foot-1, 255-pound Jacobus will be continuing his football career at the University of Iowa as he has decided to join the Hawkeyes as a preferred walk-on. We caught up with Jacobus to talk about his decision and much more.

Q: Why did you pick Iowa?

JACOBUS: Iowa has always been my dream school. I grew up around it. I went on a few game day visits with Shaun (Beyer) and I loved everything about it. It was a dream school. As soon as (Cedar Rapids Kennedy head football ) Coach White told me that they wanted me to take a preferred walk-on offer, I knew I was taking it.

Q: When you found out about the opportunity, did you commit immediately?

JACOBUS: There was about ten minutes where I was debating track or football at Iowa. I grew up watching Iowa football. My parents told me my first Iowa game was when I was nine months old. I've been a Hawkeye ever since.

Q: Why did you pick football over track?

JACOBUS: Football was always my first love. I grew up playing football. Track was one of those sports I went out for in seventh grade and I really liked it. I had a good chance of being a good scorer at Big Ten meets but there is nothing like Big Ten football on Saturdays.

Q: Did you consider doing both?

JACOBUS: That was the first question I asked. Once I found out about the offer to walk-on, I called my parents and told them about it. After that, I called coach Dubs and asked if there was any way I can do both. The big problem with that is there is a lot of technical work that happens in the fall when football is in full swing. It is hard to get that in.

Q: When did Coach White tell you?

JACOBUS: It was at the end of third period. I was packing up my stuff getting ready for passing time. He told me that I got the preferred walk-on.

Q: What other schools were involved here?

JACOBUS: For football, it was Iowa and Iowa State. Really that was it. I had an offer from Grand View as well and a lot of Division II and III schools sending me texts and talking to me. Track is where everything was at. I had offers from Iowa, UNI, South Dakota, South Dakota State. North Dakota State, and I was talking to Iowa State as well.

Q: Was it hard turning down scholarship money?

JACOBUS: You know, it was, but I've never been a short term person. It sucks but I know if I work my butt off there is a chance I can earn a bigger scholarship at Iowa too. It is not guaranteed but I will do everything I can get to it. If I get it, great, but if not, I'll be playing Iowa football at the end of the day.

Q: Where will you be going in position wise?

JACOBUS: In talking with Coach Morgan, he was saying he loved how I played and loved my leadership. It will be one of those evaluation things when I get there. I will end up where is best for the team.

Q: Where do you think you'll end up ?

JACOBUS: I would probably say it is most likely defensive line or fullback just based on my size. There are size limitations that I try to make up with my motor.

Q: Are you taking an official visit there?

JACOBUS: There is nothing planned bit I definitely want to. I've been around the program quite a bit tagging along with Shaun. I want to take an official visit just to see everything around the program and meet some of the players.

Q: How nice it is knowing that you'll remain teammates with Iowa commit Shaun Beyer?

JACOBUS: We have been brothers since freshman year when we first met. His parents were one of the first ones to call me and congratulate me. My family is his family and his family is my family. His uncle in Minnesota also gave me a call and it shows how close we are. It is a great feeling to know I know someone down there during my college career.

As a senior, Jacobus finished with 59 tackles, 24.5 TFL, and four sacks this past season.

See highlights from Jacobus' senior season in the video below.

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Iowa's Class of 2016 walk-ons:

Joe Argo - 5-foot-11, 185-pound safety from Davenport, IA (Assumption)

Tristan Bohr - 6-foot-4, 208-pound linebacker from Cresco, IA (Crestwood)

Keith Duncan - 5-foot-11, 160-pound kicker from Matthews, NC (Weddington)

Dalles Jacobus - 6-foot-1, 255-pound defensive end from Cedar Rapids, IA (Kennedy)

Burke Prins - 6-foot-4, 260-pound offensive lineman from Hinton, IA (Hinton)

Caleb Shudak - 5-foot-8, 175-pound kicker from Council Bluffs, IA (Lewis Central)

Jackson Terry - 5-foot-11, 184-pound punter from Kansas City, MO (Rockhurst)

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