Stanley returns to Iowa City

The last time that Class of 2016 quarterback Nathan Stanley visited Iowa, he picked up a scholarship offer from the Hawkeyes. This past weekend, the 6-foot-4, 193-pound Wisconsin native returned to Iowa City for his first game day visit to Kinnick Stadium, which gave him a more in-depth look at the program and the Hawkeye fan base.

"It was really fun," said Stanley. "We sat right next to the student section, so the energy was really good and they were loud the whole game. It was crazy."

"They don't have a pro team, so it seems like the whole state is there to watch them play, especially when it's Iowa against Iowa State,' he continued. "It was a great environment and a great atmosphere walking through all the pre-game festivities."

Before Saturday's game, which Iowa lost to Iowa State 20-17, Stanley had a chance to visit with the Hawkeye coaching staff and see the progress they are making with the new facilities that will open later this year.

"We had lunch at their indoor facility and talked with a couple of the assistant coaches," Stanley said. "Then we toured the new facilities and got to see what they're going to look like when they're done."

Currently, Stanley holds two scholarship offers, which are from Iowa and Pittsburgh, who coincidentally happen to be playing one another this week. While the Class of 2016 prospect will not be able to make it to the game, it is one that he says he will be watching closely.

"My dad and I were going to try to fly to Pittsburgh for the game, but it didn't work out just with the game time and his schedule for work," said Stanley. "We'll make sure we can get it on TV though and we'll be watching."

On the field, Stanly suffered a setback early on this season, breaking his throwing hand in Menomonie's second game of the year. He is currently on the road to recovery and hopes to be back in the lineup three weeks from now. Meanwhile, the junior is trying to make the most of the situation as he helps his team through the process.

"It's frustrating being on the sidelines, but I guess I try not to show it because we have two quarterbacks that rotate now and they're looking up to me to show them what they're supposed to do," Stanley said. "I have to be a great teammate right now and kind of another coach out there trying to help them with everything."