McLaughlin looking forward to Iowa's junior day

Harlan linebacker Will McLaughlin has proven to be one of the top in-state recruits in the Class of 2022 and has seen attention from the University of Iowa and a number of others as well.

“I've gone to multiple visits to Iowa State and had a great experience," said McLaughlin. "A few of the Iowa coaches came to a basketball game of mine. Kansas State has reached out to me and I think I might go to a visit sometime this spring.”

McLaughlin, who led Harlan with 75 tackles last fall, got a better feel for the Hawkeyes when they had two coaches make the trip west.

“Coach Kirk Ferentz and Coach LeVar Woods (came)," McLaughlin said. "They didn't say much because I am still pretty young, but it was great to talk with them.”

Plans to make his first trip to Iowa City are on the schedule for McLaughlin at this point.

“I just got an invited to visit Iowa on March 1st.”

McLaughlin knows what he will be working to get a better feel for overall when on campus.

“I'm looking forward to it and want to learn about what Iowa football is," he said. "I haven't ever been to Kinnick stadium before, so I am really excited to see it.”

Iowa is a school that this talented linebacker has a lot of respect for.

“They definitely have a great football program going there," said McLaughlin. "Their coaches seem soft spoken and very educated about football."

The first scholarship for McLaughlin came in the fall from Iowa State.

“They offered me at the game day visit versus Texas," McLaughlin said. "It was very humbling to have coaches at that level talk about me in the way that Coach Campbell did. I just want to keep working and getting better.”

McLaughlin mentioned that same program as the one that he followed when he was younger.

“I have liked Iowa State for a long time," he said. "It was really cool to get to sit down, meet, and talk with Coach Campbell.”

A final decision is something that McLaughlin is staying patient with at this point.

“Probably the summer before my senior year.”

McLaughlin, who will also visit Kansas State on March 20th, mentioned the three biggest factors in his final decision.

“The coaching staff, a nice weight room, and a solid football team.”