ISU tops for Benzschawel

After accumulating offers during the spring and summer, Grafton, Wisc., tight end Beau Benzschawel has identified the team atop his interest list and plans to have a decision within the month.

"I was planning on [committing] before the season, before the first game," Benzschawel said.

Grafton opens their 2013 season the weekend of Aug. 23, and if the status quo remains Benzschawel will be an Iowa State Cyclone when he takes the field on opening night.

"I visited down there back in April and loved what I saw," Benzschawel said. "I loved all the coaches - Coach [Paul] Rhoads is a great coach. I loved all the facilities and loved the atmosphere. It's just a nice place to be."

Benzschawel holds a total of seven offers. Iowa State is the only one recruiting him on the offensive line, but he likes the idea of moving down from his tight end position.

"They have me projected at offensive tackle right now, though that could all change based on how much weight I put on," Benzschawel said. "Coach [Chris] Klenakis, he is the offensive line coach and I met him a few times. He is also a great guy. He wants his players to play at the best level, and I think he could [get that] out of me."

Iowa State's commitment list already features a couple state of Wisconsin prospects, and Benzschawel is getting to know those players.

"Sam Seonbuchner, we talk a little bit," Benzschawel said. "Getting some more Cheeseheads down there would be cool."

Benzschawel said he has maintained regular contact with Iowa State coaches since school ended, but they are also giving him his space to enjoy his last summer of high school. The 6-foot-6, 252-pound prospect took that time, and attended just one camp back in June.

"The only camp I went to was the Wisconsin camp," Benzschawel said. "That went well - I performed well and the coaches liked what they saw.

"I started out at tight end, then Coach [Ben] Strickland came over and told me the tight ends coach saw what he needed to see. So, with the second practice I went with the defensive line. They said they were going to call me in the next few days after that camp, but they never got ahold of me before their vacation."

At this point, though, Benzschawel said it is unlikely anything will disrupt his plans of committing to Iowa State later this month.