Iowa Class of 2016 OG Jake Heinrich talks recruiting ahead of visit to Arkansas

For those of you who have never seen Urbandale High School offensive lineman Jake Heinrich play his actions on the field can be summed up in two words – relentless bully.

For those readers not familiar with the game of football being a relentless bully as an offensive lineman on the gridiron is a compliment of highest regards. If one wanted to add onto the superlatives expanding the two word summation into a three word summation furthers the imagery a little bit more, strong relentless bully.

The 6’4”, 285 pound, offensive lineman is the kind of guy every quarterback and running back wants blocking for him, he’s the kind of guy any other lineman want lining up beside him, and he’s the kind of guy opposing defenses absolutely hates. Play after play Heinrich’s mission is to pile drive the defender opposite of him into the ground, be it at the line of scrimmage or 10-15 yards down field, and he is really successful at accomplishing his goals.

Urbandale posted mixed results during the 2014 season finishing 5-5 after a first round loss in the playoffs. One of the bright spots for the team as a whole was a 4-1 conference record and one of the other bright spots was the play of their big Class of 2016 recruit.

While the J-Hawks got into a groove later in the season college recruiters took notice of Heinrich. The offensive guard currently holds 11 scholarship offers from teams like Cal, Duke, Eastern Michigan, Kansas State, Louisville, Florida Atlantic, and Illinois but many believe the battle royale for this trench hog is down to Iowa State and Arkansas.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview I sat down with arguably the top recruit in the state of Iowa to learn more about the offensive lineman delivering punishment all the way to a Power Five Conference program at the next level.

 

Jake, the J-Hawks had an up and down campaign in 2014. Looking back how would you summarize the season?

“Last year we ended up finishing the year 5-5 I believe. We lost in first round of the playoffs. In non-conference play we were 1-3, I think, nothing special there. In the conference portion we were 4-1 and only lost to the district champs, so that was good. We ended up losing a close one in the playoffs (Ames 31-28) against a team we’ve lost to before at that stage of the year.

“We are looking good for next year. We just had our first workout this week. Things are shaping up and we should be able to make a run this year.”

What will be some of the strengths of the J-Hawks team in 2015?

“I think we’re going to have really good play from our offensive and defensive line as a whole. We have a lot of guys in the weight room working hard.  We also have a lot of skill position players getting a lot of reps on the field and getting stronger. We’ve got some young guys who are stepping up and we’ve got a lot of seniors as well. We should have some good leadership from older and younger guys who can not only play but also lead and teach some of the other guys.”

What are your strengths on the field as an offensive lineman?

“I think I play a physical brand of football. I really like to get after people from the snap of the ball to the last second of the whistle. I block well and I use my strength on the field to overpower a lot of people within that first step or two. Also, I have some versatility. I can pass protect, I can reach block, and I can base block. I feel like I can do a lot of things on the football field and I’m working hard every day to improve some of the things I am not great at yet.”

What are you working on in the offseason to improve?

“I’m working on my technique. I’m working on keeping a wider base throughout my block and keeping my head up on pass protection. I’m improving my hand positioning and things like that. I’m bringing a little more flexibility to my game and a consistency in terms of hand positioning and technique.”

What kind of workouts are you doing to help prepare for your senior year?

“I’m working out really hard in the weight room but also out on the field. I do a lot of work with speed ladders, hurdles, bounding, change of direction – really everything to improve my hips and get in and out of my cuts. I’ve gotten a lot faster in the 40, my 20, and my 10 yard runs. I’ve improve my vertical and broad jump. Those numbers are sitting at about 9-feet on the broad jump and 30 (inches) on my vertical jump about a month ago. I did it on an electronic jump mat. Other than that I have been working to improve my conditioning and really just trying to improve my strength, improve my feet, and refine my technique.”

You mentioned increasing your overall strength, the last time you maxed out in bench pressed and squat how much weight were you moving around?

“My bench press is at 380-385. I’m looking to go 405. I want to break four plates by the end of the summer. My squat max right now is high 5’s, around 575-580. I’m looking to hit 605-615 by the end of the summer.”

What are your goals for the 2015 football season?

“Me, myself, I really just want to be a good leader on the team and contribute in anyway I can whether that be on offense or defense. I set a goal for myself to get at least three pancake blocks 15-yards down field every single series. That’s something I’ve been working really hard for. I don’t want to give up a, any TFLs (tackles for a loss) – I don’t want to give up any tackles either. On defense, if I can get in there, just be disruptive. Make some stuff happen on the goal line get the other team back on their heels. Overall just do anything I can to help my team win and go as far as we can in the playoffs.”

How many pancake blocks did you have last season?

“I don’t have my exact number but just thinking in terms of my highlights. I think the max is 99 plays. There’s maybe 10 pass blocks if not more on my highlights but the rest are run plays. Almost all of the plays on my reel, other than the pass blocks, end in a pancake block. I know for a fact that I had to trim 15 or 20, at least. I would say well over 100. Playing 10 games, guessing I had 10 a game. Just a rough estimate I would say 120 or so.”

Bullying folks out there, I like it.

“Thank you.”

Let’s talk about recruiting some. You have 11 offers right now from Iowa State, Arkansas, Cal, Duke, Eastern Michigan, Kansas State, Louisville, Florida Atlantic, Illinois, UNLV, and Marshall, what other schools are showing interest in you that have not offered you yet?

“At this point, schools that have not offered but are in the most contact with are Oklahoma State, I get a lot of mail from them, and Michigan State. They contact me a lot over Twitter and over the phone. I’m trying to think. Other than that most of my contacts with coaches are with the schools that have already offered me. I’ve been in a lot of contact with Arkansas lately. I’m visiting there this weekend. I’m looking forward to that. I talk to Iowa State a lot as well as Cal, Louisville, Kansas State, Duke, and Illinois.”

When the college coaches talk to you about your skill set what are they telling you they like?

“They really like how I finish my blocks. They say one of the first things they look for when they watch tape, they want to see guys get after to the end of the whistle. They like my physicality. I had a few coaches look at me as being versatile. I’ve had a few mention the prospect of me playing center for them. That’s always cool. I like to hear that.

“They like that I am a competitor. I play three sports. I got second in the state in shot put, second in the state in wrestling, and All-State in football. I stay busy all year round. I’m always working hard to improve. Those are the things they like. I bring a lot to the table in terms of other sports and working hard on the football field.”

With the upcoming Arkansas visit, do you know what all you will do when you get to Fayetteville?

“Not exactly, I don’t know the schedule but I was able to talk to Coach (Sam) Pitman and he said he’s got me set up to hang out with Frank Ragnow and Dan Skipper on Saturday evening. I’ll be there through Sunday morning. I’ll be able to check everything out. I won’t be camping but I’ll watch them coach during the camp. I’m also meeting with the strength staff. I’ll really be covering everything, the whole nine yards.”

I know you’ve unofficially visited Iowa State, what other schools have you unofficially visited?

“Yeah, I’ve been to Iowa State a few times now. I always have a good time when I go up there. I’ve been to Kansas State. That was fun. The facilities that they are finishing will be great. The other schools that I have visited who have offered me – Illinois. I went up there for their Junior Day. That was a good time. Other than that I’ve actually been to Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska. Those three had showed interest but not much at all lately.”

Have you released a list of your favorites yet?

“I have not. I haven’t cut anybody from my list. I don’t have anybody higher than anyone else. I’d like to try to visit all the schools that have offered me if at all possible. Right now I’m going to take my time and weigh my options. When I make my decision, it will include factors such as academics, athletics of course, my relationships with the coaches, and the feel on the campus.”

How is Arkansas pitching you to commit to the Razorbacks?

“They sent me a piece of mail a couple of months ago, full of two dozen, 25-30 guys with NFL jerseys that are active for players that have been signed or drafted under Coach Pittman and Coach (Bret) Bielema (head coach). That was really cool. Those two have a great history of developing offensive linemen.

“I’ve noticed Coach (Ben) Herbert has done a great job with strength (training). That is real important to me. I like lifting and spending time in the weight room. He really has a lot going on in the weight room sounds like they take things very seriously and are making a lot of strides in the weight room. I think the team as a whole is on the rise. They’re showing a lot of interest in me. It seems like they are really excited to see me this weekend. I’m expecting a really good weekend.”

How are the coaches at Iowa State pitching you to commit to the Cyclones?

“Iowa State, they are really able to push the location, I’m only about 40 minutes away. If I went there I could go home every night if I wanted to. I’ve built a great relationship with the coaches. I’ve camped at ISU twice, two summers ago and last summer. I’ve been able to receive some coaching from them. Other than that they have great facilities. There would be a good playing situation there. I have a former teammate on the Iowa State team, (WR) Allen Lazard. He was named Freshman All Big 12 (honorable mention).”

Are you attending any camps this summer?

“The only other camp that I am attending that I have scheduled right now is the Sound Mind, Sound Body Camp in Detroit. That’s starting next Thursday. Sounds like it will be a really good camp where I can test myself against some top talent not only in the Midwest but from across the country.”

Do you know what you want to major in when you go to college?

“Yeah, thinking about a few potential focuses. I really think education would be interesting and fulfilling. I’m also looking into communications. I really like to talk and give speeches. I just enjoy debating to try to get my point across. I think that would be fun. Strength coaching is something I am still keeping in mind. Like I said, I really enjoy the weight room. I try to help my teammates out in the weight room, I think that is something I would enjoy as well.”

Who has made the biggest impact on your football career?

“Good question. I wouldn’t really say it has been one guy. I’ve spent a lot of time on the internet on Hudl. I found a lot of guys that are Midwest guys, tough kids working hard and finishing their blocks. I like guys that like to punish people That has helped my game. I like watching those guys.  Jim Thomas, he’s a real great player. He’s a tough player as well. He never takes a play off. That’s how I try to model my game. If I can move them 25 yards down field and then drive them into the ground, that’s what I want to do no matter who is across from me. I like guys that are relentless and show a lot of heart. That’s my goal to do every single play.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“My favorite part about playing football I would say is at the very end of the play. In terms of the team there is nothing like getting the win in a big game be it homecoming, a league game, or on the road taking one away from someone else. That’s always great. It’s awesome to celebrate with my friends after achieving a common goal that we have worked so hard for. But in terms of myself, there is nothing like finishing a block and getting the pancake on that play.

“(In track) getting a good throw. I threw the shot put 55.7 ¾ inches. That was a good number for me to hit and really exciting. But in football there is nothing like ending up on top of someone down field and driving them into the ground. I think that is a lot of fun. I like it.”

 

Written by Ryan Wright

Photo credit: Rob Howe, scout.com; No. 75 Jake Heinrich

Photo credit: allhawkeyes.com; Jake performs at The Opening in Chicago.

Photo credit: desmoinesregister.com; No. 75 Jake Heinrich looks for a pancake block.