Ready to report: The Kallenbergers

When Jack Kallenberger played his final game at Bettendorf High School, he and his younger brother, Mark Kallenberger thought that would be the final time they would play a football game as teammates.

Jack would be graduating and as a non-qualifier, he would be moving on to the junior college ranks at Iowa Central for two years. Mark would be playing his final two years at Bettendorf and became a highly recruited offensive tackle, eventually committing to Iowa last year in late March, just before his birthday.

With Mark headed to Iowa, the Kallenberger brothers held out hope that they would be reunited in Iowa City.

“It was always kind of in the back of my mind,” Jack said. “When Mark committed, I wasn’t sure where I would go. I wanted to see how things were going to play out.”

Jack was still in Fort Dodge and couldn’t really talk much to the Iowa coaches. He knew Iowa assistant coach Reese Morgan was checking in with his Iowa Central coaches to make sure his academic progress was on track.

The two years at the junior college forced Jack to grow up and mature. Junior college does that to a young person, you either grow up or you crash and burn.

“I did a lot of growing up the last two years,” Jack said. “I went from living at home and kind of having it pretty easy. I end up in Fort Dodge and at that level, there’s not as much of a support system in place and living on my own. It was difficult, but I am glad that I went through it.”

Jack said there was one point last fall where he was at a crossroads. They were in fall camp and without any options on the horizon, he called up his father seeking advice.

“My dad told me I had two options, keep playing or quit and quitting isn’t an option. I sucked it up and did what I could and it worked out the way I hoped it would.”

His younger brother had faith that once he committed to Iowa that it would work out and they would both end up in Iowa City.

“I had a feeling that everything would work out for Jack in the end,” Mark said. “He’s one of the hardest workers I’ve ever known and he’s always pushed me to get better. I just kind of thought that with my commitment to Iowa and Jack already talking to the Iowa coaches since his senior year in high school that there was going to be an opportunity.”

Eventually it did work out and the Kallenberger brothers will be reunited on the Iowa football team. Mark will be on scholarship and after signing day, Jack was offered the opportunity as a preferred walk-on this fall.

“I remember our last football game together was my sophomore year. I was sad because I thought that I would never be able to play football with him again. Now, here it is again and we are going to be wearing the same uniform and the same colors,” Mark said.

The Kallenberger boys grew up in Bettendorf and they have always been Hawkeye fans, so the opportunity to play football at Iowa is special to both of them. They are already looking ahead to September when they will both run out of the tunnel at Kinnick Stadium with Back in Black blasting on the sound system.

“I have, but I can’t really put it into words. It will be a dream come true for me to run out of the tunnel wearing the Iowa uniform,” Mark said.

“I get goosebumps just thinking about it,” Jack said with a smile. “I know it will be a really exciting experience. That moment will make everything in the last year and half worth it.”

The happiest people this fall might be the Kallenberger’s parents, Jay and Melissa. They will no longer have to cover as much ground every weekend with both of their boys running out of the tunnel at Kinnick Stadium.

“They were certainly in favor of me going to Iowa once the walk-on opportunity was put on the table,” Jack said. “This will definitely make their lives a whole lot easier this fall.”

Those experiences are still to come. In the meantime, the Kallenberger boys are still back in Bettendorf making these last days at home count. Jack transferred to Scott Community College for his final semester so he could live at home. He’s finished up his academic work and this week he will be finalizing his transcripts and getting them sent to Iowa.

Since Jack has been back home, the Kallenberger boys have been working out a couple of times a week with Matt Rokes, who trains athletes in the Quad Cities. The training is modeled after what Chris Doyle does with the Iowa players, so the brothers will hit the ground running when they start workouts on June 12th.

Jack has added about 20 pounds and is currently at 260 pounds. Mark got a later start to his workout program due to a lengthy basketball season for the Bulldogs and he says he’s at 270 pounds as he heads towards graduation.

While both brothers have kept their goals for their first season reasonable, Jack and Mark are looking to simply come in and work hard and help the Iowa team in any way possible. Jack will be walking on and playing defensive line. He still has a redshirt year available.

Mark is penciled in to play offensive tackle, which has two senior starters this coming season, so a redshirt seems likely.

What could certainly happen this fall is what happened during Jack’s senior year of high school, the Kallenberger brothers going head to head in practice.

“I’m sure they will make us go to make us go against each other,” Jack said with a laugh. Mark was quick to add, “I have a feeling that everyone will be watching and Jack will probably win the battle. I’ll definitely learn from it, but I rarely beat him.”

It will be fun to watch when they go head to head and enjoy the fulfilling their dream of being Hawkeye football players together.