Shudak finds right fit at Iowa
Council Bluffs Lewis Central kicker Caleb Shudak performed well enough at Iowa's camp to catch the attention of the Hawkeye coaching staff. That eventually led to a walk-on opportunity, which he accepted this past weekend. We caught up with the 5-foot-8, 175-pound Shudak to talk about his decision and much more.
Q: Why did you end up picking Iowa?
SHUDAK: When I took my visit there, it was everything I wanted. I liked the academics, the facilities, the atmosphere, and the whole campus.
Q: When did you take the visit?
SHUDAK: It was an unofficial visit last Thursday and Friday.
Q: What did you do while you were up there?
SHUDAK: I saw all the facilities. I looked at the college of Engineering and saw that. I went through the campus, met some of the advisors, and things like that.
Q: How often did you have contact with the staff?
SHUDAK: I got to meet with them on both days and all day Friday I was meeting with them.
Q: When did the walk-on opportunity come?
SHUDAK: It has been on the table for about a month. I was talking with Coach Morgan and the visit sealed the deal for me.
Q: What other schools were being considered?
SHUDAK: Iowa State and Iowa Western Community College.
Q: Where do they see you playing?
SHUDAK: Just kicker. I'm coming in and competing for the job.
Q: What did they say about you competing for the starting role?
SHUDAK: I think there will be three of four kickers competing for the job. They said that the best will win no matter your age or grade level. It is wide open right now. If you perform well enough and get a job, a scholarship will be on the table.
Q: Did the fact that your dad went to Iowa State have any factor on your decision?
SHUDAK: He supported me wherever I wanted to go. He knew my dream was kicking Division I. Iowa seemed like the perfect fit and he supported it.
Q: How did the recruiting process start and go with Iowa?
SHUDAK: I went to their camp in June of 2015 and that really sparked it. I competed well, won the field goal contest, and was one of the best kickers there. During the fall, I went to a few games. I have just been in contact with Coach Morgan since then.
Q: How has the relationship been with you and the coaches?
SHUDAK: It is definitely growing. They have a lot of respect for me not just as a kicker but also the type of student I am.
Q: Did the engineering program factor in to your final decision?
SHUDAK: It had a big impact. They are a smaller college of engineering and that was something I really liked. It felt more personal. That meant a lot to me.
Q: How does it feel you know you'll get a chance to live your Division I dreams?
SHUDAK: It feels really good. I've been working for all of high school for this really. To finally have it happen is such a relief and exciting at the same time.
As a senior, Shudak made 5/8 field goals with a long of 43 yards. He also made 27/27 PAT's and had 30 of his 33 kickoffs go for touchbacks.
See highlights from Shudak's senior season in the video below.
Here is the scouting report on Shudak from KohlsKicking.com.
Shudak is an explosive kicker who won the Southern Showcase KO competition and KO charting phase of camp in May of 2015. He can KO with anyone in the nation. His FG are solid and will continue to get better off the ground. His Dad is a former D1 kicker and Shudak should be able to play at the D1 level as a kicker. He has top 10 leg talent in the 2016 class and had a strong Scholarship Camp in July 2015.
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)