Iowa offers Immaculate Conception QB Dennis Mandala as preferred walk-on
The University of Iowa football program issued a preferred walk-on opportunity to an Illinois quarterback on Friday. Immaculate Conception Catholic Prep quarterback Dennis Mandala announced the news on Twitter Friday.
Mandala is a 2024 graduate out of IC Catholic Prep in Elmhurst, Ill. According to Rivals, he also has received interest from both South Dakota State and Texas A&M. The Aggies have also issued a preferred walk-on offer, while Mandala has visited camps at South Dakota State.
After a great conversation with @CoachSWallace , I’m honored to receive a PWO offer from the University of Iowa. @HawkeyeFootball @ICCPFootball @MattBowen41 @MDohertyICCP pic.twitter.com/wTof6UMXrg
— dennis mandala (@dmandala11) June 23, 2023
The pro-style quarterback had a successful 2022 season, making the 2022 IHSFCA Class 3A All-State team. According to MaxPreps, Mandala threw for 37 touchdowns last year with only five interceptions. He racked up 2,651 passing yards through 14 games in his junior year while completing his passes at a 67% clip. He had the fifth-most passing yards in the state of Illinois last year.
Mandala was also the Knights’ punter, with two of his 10 punts downed within the 20-yard line. His longest punt went 54 yards. That alone should ingratiate him even more to the Iowa fanbase, the largest collection of punting fans in the nation.
Fans may recognize Mandala’s top target at IC Catholic Prep, KJ Parker. Parker is also a class of 2024 recruit and he is visiting Iowa this weekend. The 5-foot-11, 165 pound product finished last season with 37 grabs for 1,082 yards and 17 touchdowns. 247Sports rates Parker as He a three-star prospect, as the nation’s No. 101 athlete and as the No. 20 player from Illinois.
Iowa is in a fierce battle with Cincinnati for the signature of the dynamic three-star athlete. Could we possibly see this duo reunite for the black and gold?
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