Interview: Future is Bright for Rising 2019 Iowa OT Tyler Endres

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

If the state of Iowa is tied to anything along the football recruiting trail, producing next level offensive lineman might be atop the list. Year after year, not only does Iowa and Iowa State pull from within their talented recruiting pool for players to fill their Signing Day rosters but so do teams from other Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, and MAC programs. A player sure to rise to the top of a lot of recruiting boards over the next two years is Tyler Endres.

Endres finished his second year of Iowa varsity football in 2016. The Norwalk High School talent was a standout on the field in more ways than one. Coming in at 6-6, 280 pounds, the sophomore overwhelmed the opposition helping the Warriors to an 8-2 season with a playoff appearance against Webster City. College coaches doing early scouting of the sophomore quickly pick up on his footwork, strength, pad level, and “want to” on each play.

Iowa State was the first to offer Endres with Iowa and Northern Iowa showing early interest. Once the 2017 recruiting class has signed and the camp circuit heats up, expect more colleges to make their way to Norwalk to check out Endres.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with one of the rising stars in the 2019 recruiting class getting insight on his sophomore campaign while covering his recruiting process to date.

Interview

The Warriors had a great start to the 2016 winning your first seven games of the season. How did the team gel together for such a great start?

“We were healthy at the beginning of the year but not as healthy at the end. We were beat up. That is what happened with our losses.”

The first setback of the season came against Pella (38-0). How did that loss help you as a player?

“It helped me you learn that you do not quit even if the game is not going your way. I learned that you have to pick up your teammates and keep playing hard no matter what.”

How did the playoff game against Webster City help improve your game?

“When our starting quarterback got hurt, I knew we had to step it up. Then our starting running back got hurt the week before the playoffs. We had our second string quarterback and running back going against Webster. I felt we had to step up even more. I had a good game against them, but the injuries hurt us.”

How did your game get better throughout the season?

“This year I focused more on my run blocking. We are a passing team. My pass set is good. I got better with my run blocking. I got better finishing plays and kept driving my feet to create holes for the running backs to get through.”

What will you work on in the off-season?

“I will work on my footwork and agility. I’ll get in the weight room and get stronger. I’ll work on my run blocking a lot. I’ll go to some camps to help work on my game.”

Which camps might you attend during the off-season?

“I know for sure Iowa and Iowa State. I might go to UNI as well. Any colleges that invite me I will probably go to their camp.”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you?

“After my freshman year I got a lot of prospects’ questionnaires to fill out. Right now Iowa State is the only one that talks to me and has offered. Iowa talked to me at one of their camps. They told me things I need to improve on. UNI has shown some interest too.”

Did you take any unofficial visits during the season?

“I took two to Iowa State.”

How did those visits go?

“I thought they went really well. I really like the campus, the coaches are nice, and the fan base there is awesome.”

Do you have any planned visits for this winter or spring?

“None planned right now. I’m going to Iowa State on unofficial visits to some basketball games.”

What is your cumulative GPA?

“I have a 3.0.”

What is your favorite subject in school?

“Math is my favorite subject. I have always been good at math.”

Our playing any winter or spring sports for Norwalk?

“I play post for our basketball team. I’ll throw the shot and discus in the spring.”

Which bowl game has been the most exciting for you to watch so far?

“I liked watching the Alabama and Washington game. Washington’s defense played a lot better than I thought they would. I thought that was the best game I’ve seen so far.”

Tyler, thanks for your time today and good luck with your off-season workouts.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: twitter.com; No. 79 Tyler Endres on the Norwalk sidelines.

Photo credit: Endres family; Tyler Endres with Brady Brandsfield at ISU (2016).

Photo credit: hudl.com; No. 79 Tyler Endres with teammates.