Locked On Hawkeyes - Daily Podcast On Iowa Hawkeyes Football & Basketball - Hawkeye WR commits Brody Brecht and Arland Bruce IV join the show today!

Episode Date: September 16, 2020

The Big Ten might actually be back and we have two wide receiver recruits in the Iowa Hawkeyes class of 2021 on the show today! Arland Bruce IV and Brody Brecht join the show to talk about their recruitment process, what they are looking forward to when joining the Hawkeyes, and how ridiculous the Iowa High School Athletic Association is being right now.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Rock AutoAmazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell them Locked On sent you.Built BarBuilt Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get $10 off your first order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You are Locked On Hawkeyes, your daily podcast on the Iowa Hawkeyes. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Welcome back, Hawkeye Nation, to another episode of the Locked On Hawkeyes Podcast, your daily podcast covering your Iowa Hawkeyes on the Locked On Sports Network. As always, I am your host, Andrew Wade, and today's episode is brought to you by Bilt Bar. Go to BiltBar.com and use promo code LOCKEDON and you'll get $10 off your next order. And on today's episode, we have two very special guests. We have two commits in the class of 2021 for the Iowa Hawkeye football team.

We have Brody Brecht and Arlen Bruce IV joining us on the show today to talk about their recruitment process, talk about playing at Ankeny together. Obviously, Arlen has not had the opportunity to actually suit up for a game because the Iowa High School Athletic Association is being absolutely ridiculous, but we're going to talk a little bit about kind of how that decision all played out in terms of Arlen going to Ankeny, and then we're going to talk about what they want to improve upon when going to Iowa, what they've kind of been talking about as far as positions and what they're wanting to work on. So we're going to talk all about that on today's show, but we would not be doing our jobs if we didn't cover some of the news coming out of the Big Ten yesterday.

As of right now, I'm recording at 7.30 Central Time, Tuesday evening. We have not gotten an official word from the Big Ten, but all reports point to the Big Ten resuming football this fall. A lot of the reports say there's going to be an eight-game season starting October 17th, ending December 19th. Obviously, the Nebraska had a hot mic issue, kind of basically announcing there was going to be a football decision, but there's others kind of coming out saying the decision hasn't actually been made yet. And typical Big Ten, they're not saying anything. There has been nothing from the Big Ten as of right now. So if anything does come out, I'll try to make sure to maybe do something live to kind of cover the reaction there. But as of now, it does seem like all reports are heading in the direction

of there being football in the Big Ten. But as we talked about on yesterday's show, if they don't make a decision soon, we're going to really be jeopardizing the opportunity to possibly have Big Ten football this fall because the longer you wait, the more chance we're not going to be able to get football in time for the October 17th deadline. And ultimately, the reason why they're doing that is that we could have a Big Ten football school possibly eligible to make the college football playoff because their season would have ended by that time. The college football playoff selection committee currently is scheduled to make that final

four decision December 20th. That is why the season is scheduled to end December 19th, according to all reports. But as that news comes up, we will definitely be able to cover that right here on the Lockdown Hawkeyes podcast. With that being said, though, I do want to hop in to the interview with Arlen Bruce and Brody Brecht right now. I'm joined here by Brody and Arlen, both recruits in the class of 2021 for the Iowa Hawkeyes. How are you guys doing today?

Good. Good. Awesome. Well, I want to touch on both of your guys' experiences so far with the Iowa Hawkeyes and what you're doing this senior year. But, Arland, the elephant in the room is what the hell is going on with the Iowa High School Athletic Association, man? Yeah, so we're just trying to figure out why I was ruled ineligible. And I think as of right now we're playing the waiting game

like we have the past three weeks. And kind of waiting for the decision to be mailed because we have an appeal on Thursday with the executive director of the IHSAA and the board of control members on that so they said it could take up to five days I don't know if that means business days so they can maybe have up till Wednesday to send it and I can get it later than that so I don't know I'm just playing the waiting game again that's absolutely so I want to get like what are your feelings like how are you feeling right now going through this process because honestly like on an outsider view it seems like they're screwing you over man yeah I'm just I've just been pretty pissed off like I just want to get out there and play with

them play with birdie um yeah it's just been crazy everything off. Like, I just want to get out there and play with them, play with Birdie. Yeah, it's just been crazy. Everything else has been emailed to me. My letter of ineligibility was emailed. But I don't know why they can't call me or we can go pick up the letter and boom, like, why do they have to send it? Why do we have to wait for them to send in the mail? I don't know. It's just frustrating.

Yeah, it's a little bit embarrassing. Something's clearly going on. I don't like it. But, Brody, what are your thoughts on this? Because obviously you're probably excited to play with Arland and you keep having to wait a few games to do so. Yeah, you know, we're really pumped when he got here. You know, we were really excited.

He was going to play against Centennial, you know, our big rival, you know, and then he gets, you know, and then he gets, you know, that he's ruled ineligible hours before kickoff. So we were all kind of mad about that. And then we're like, all right, well, next week we'll be able to go. Nope. All right. Third week, definitely. All right. Nope. So, I mean, it's just kind of, like you said, it's frustrating for all of us. You know, we're all pissed off, you know, I mean, it's,

there's something going on, you know, and we're just, you know, waiting game, like Arlen said, you know, it's just, yeah, BS. Yeah. Well, I feel kind of old now that you said Centennial is your big rivalry I mean when I was in high school I went to Newton and Ankeny was just one school and they kicked butt and everything so it's funny that that is a big rivalry sounded like it didn't really matter though you kicked butt against Centennial anyways even without Arlen yeah yeah no I felt good to take it to him yeah nice man well so how what is football practice like?

I was talking to you two before you got on. Sounds like schooling is a little bit interesting. You're going to school, like, twice a week. What is football practice like for you guys? It's good. I mean, it's – you just got to wear, you know, our mask. We got, like, these face shields that we put on our helmets. So, I mean, it's not that – it's not that different.

I mean, it's – I mean, there's certain protocols you got to follow, but, I mean mean it's not that it's not that different um I mean it's I mean there's certain protocols you got to follow but I mean it's really the same so yeah and Arlen what has it been like for you man joining a new school um learning a new scheme has it been a pretty easy adjustment for you yeah at first I was I was confused I had to have Jace tell me what to do but I'm I'm starting to understand now learn um learn the signals but yeah it hasn't been it hasn't been too rough that's good man and so what what ultimately led to you going to Ankeny I mean were you and Brody kind of talking beforehand uh I know your mom's moved up there with you is the plan to stay there long term like talk me through that decision process of ultimately choosing

Ankeny I mean there's some guys who chose Valley I'm glad you didn't choose Valley I personally hate Valley. But, you know, what was the decision process like for that? Yeah, so my school, they said that they were having all in-person classes too. And I don't know. I just felt like I couldn't learn as much all online classes. So even just the two or three days we go to school here, I wanted to do a little bit of in-person classes.

And for some reason, like it was just so hard to graduate early. Like the requirements were just harder. So I feel like the requirements here were like, we're not as hard. So all I have to do here is take like a freshman earth and space science class and then I'll be good. So, but yeah, it's my freshman year, like in Kansas, I took, marine biology, but I guess the earth and space science was required freshman year. But, yeah, also, on top of that, football was kind of in the gray area. Birdie takes an Iowa Commence group chat, like, hey, we're playing football, like, if you guys aren't,

so if you can figure something out there. And then, yeah, the opportunity came about, and it just happened. All right, I want to quickly pause the conversation with Arlen and Brody to give you a very important message from the great folks over at Built Bar. If you have tried the Built Bar already, well, don't worry. It is back and is better tasting than ever. And if you haven't tried it, you've got to try try it now because like I said, it's even better. The improved Built Bar is even more delicious.

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last you even get a free cooler with your purchase so go to builtbar.com and use promo code locked on brody what were your thoughts when arlen said he actually was coming to ankeny i mean obviously you have a pretty good team there. You got a good quarterback, a nice running back. But what were your thoughts adding Arlen to that offense? Yeah, no. Yeah, you said, you know, our offense, you know, we're already pretty good. You know, we've been doing good, you know, without Arlen. But when we, you know, found out he was coming, you know, we were all, you know,

really happy, we had smiles, you know, across our faces. I know Jace is really excited. You know, he's just such an explosive player. You know, he makes plays. Yeah. So hopefully when we get him back, you know, he's just such an explosive player. You know, he makes plays. Yeah. So hopefully when we get him back, you know, our offense is going to be deadly. Definitely, man.

And you made a point, Arlen, that you kind of – the graduation requirement is a little bit easier to get through in Iowa. And you've already announced that you're going to be early enrolling at Iowa. Brody, you have a baseball career you're kind of dealing with as well. Are you planning on early enrolling? Are you going to play baseball for Ankeny this summer? Yeah, no, well. Are you planning on early enrolling or are you going to play baseball for Ankeny this summer? Yeah, no, I'm not going to be early enrolling. I'll be the, I'll be the last one there. You know,

with the baseball season getting, getting done in late July. So yeah. That's tough, man. So as far as playing baseball in college, it sounds like you are going to do that at Iowa as well. Correct? Yep. Nice. What has that been like from, you to do that at Iowa as well correct? Yep. Nice what has that been like from you know talking with Kirk about doing that do you feel like it's going to be easy or feasible I guess like what is what kind of thought process on that? Yeah you know I think it's doable you know I think those two sports you know they're kind of you know different seasons so they're kind of so you know they're better, you know, if I was like playing basketball or something,

you know, that would not work at all. But yeah, no, I mean, he's, you know, Kirk, he's coach Ference. He's really, you know, open to it. You know, he's, he's encouraging me to, you know, to, to do both, you know, as long as I can. So, yeah. I mean, they love, they love two sport athletes, three sport athletes. Arlen, you got an Ankeny baseball shirt on. What other sports do you play, man? I play baseball and basketball, but unfortunately, because I'm graduating early, I'm done with those. Makes sense. And so going into Iowa, what are some of the biggest things you guys are excited about?

For me personally, it's obviously a birdie. His situation is different because he has to stay for baseball. But I'm just excited to get in there, put on some weight, get in the playbook early. And then with probably Amir leaving and Brandon Smith, just maybe seeing how close I am to maybe getting on the field. So it's just exciting. Yeah, I would say I'm really, I'm really excited, you know, to get in their, you know, strength program, you know,

see how, you know, how big, you know, we can all get. You know, that's, you know, part of the reason I picked them is just because their player development, you know, is probably the best in the country. And yeah, I mean, like Arlen said, you know, you got Amir and Brandon leaving. So there's going to be a lot of competition, you know, a lot of room opening up for, you know, that starting spot.

So I'm just ready to compete. And then lots of competition there. Lots of great guys coming in as well, in addition to you two. As far as the recruitment process and ultimately committing to Iowa, and I want to touch on your recruiting experience in a little bit, but as far as committing to Iowa, Brody, I read something that you were very interested in the fact that you could do both sports.

You could play baseball and football. Iowa State was heavily recruiting you. They don't have a baseball program. So that was probably a big draw in Ireland. You know, one of the things you mentioned actually was, you know, the allure of, you know, a strength and conditioning program and going under Chris Doyle. Obviously, a few things have changed, but I wanted to get your thoughts on, you know, what that has kind of contributed. Why did you choose Iowa? Why did you choose Iowa? Why did you choose Iowa over the other schools? Yeah, so for me personally, I'm not going to lie, Iowa State was my top for a while. I almost committed there.

But they wanted me to take on an all-purpose back role. I liked the idea at first. And then I started watching some more film with Coach Copeland, Coach Brian Ferentz, because everyone was like, yeah, Iowa doesn't pass the ball like that. Well, I started paying attention to that. I started looking things up. I started watching film. So Coach mainly told me to focus on Tyrone Tracy,

so that's mainly who I shadowed. I was texting all year. So after seeing like they're starting to throw the ball more than previous years, I really like the role that they said that I was going to play. So also Coach Doyle being there, being one of the top strength coaches in the nation, I mean, he's gone now, but his assistant knows that has been with him for 11 years. So I don't really think much is going to change. So I think just the strength program and the role that,

that I was going to take on is really what went into my decision. Definitely, man. And Brody, outside of baseball, was there anything else that kind of played into your decision to go to Iowa? I mean, yeah, I mean, their strength and conditioning, you know, that's, you know, that's obviously probably, you know, number one. But I mean, other than that, I mean, yeah. And the expectations are for you to play wide receiver as well, correct? Yep.

Awesome. Do they have you studying with anyone? I mean, it sounds like Arlen's in pretty close communication with Tyrone. Are you talking to anyone in the program right now? No. Fair enough. Arlen's got those connections, man. He's texting Mahomes.

Come on, man. Wait, are you serious? Yeah. That's pretty sweet. All right. Not a lot of people are texting Patrick Mahomes. Makes me feel like I'm missing out on something here. So, the baseball thing, obviously, you know,

pretty cool trajectory for you. You were just listed as a top 300 prospect at perfect game. If you were to be drafted, this upcoming draft, obviously it changed last year. They only had five rounds. If you were to be drafted, though, would there be any thought process to maybe going into the MLB and taking a few years off and seeing

exploring professional baseball? Yeah. I've been thinking about it. I've been in communication with scouts. They want to see me throw and stuff. After football season, I mean, I've been thinking about it. You know, I've been, you know, in communication with scouts. You know, they want to see me throw and stuff. So after football season, you know, I'll pick up the baseball real quick. You know, just, you know, see where I'm at, see what they're thinking. You know, I don't really want this senior year to be my last year playing football.

But so it's going to have to be, you know, a pretty good amount of money for me to, you know, even consider it, you know, especially going to the draft. So, I mean, I think the best for me is going to Iowa. But I mean, you know, I'm just trying to keep my options open, you know, not closing any doors, you know, just trying to find the best fit for me. Definitely, man. I mean, it's a good option to have, right? Not a not a bad backup option. Yeah. to have right not a not a bad backup option yeah come in so um obviously Arlen apparently you have all these connections uh and Brody you're not really talking to a ton of guys but who are some of the guys you look up to in the program right now me either one of you yeah um obviously Tyrone um trying to think who else have I talked to um I think mainly just Tyrone I've just asked him like any questions

that I had before I even committed um I asked him um how he felt about the team his role in the team the coaches I just made sure to ask him every little detail to make sure like that that's where I wanted to go that Tyrone for me and Brody who is who have you kind of looked up to in the program or who's someone you kind of That Tyrone for me. And, Brody, who have you kind of looked up to in the program or who's someone you kind of idolize, you know, from afar? Well, I mean, well, Riley Moss, you know, he's there. You know, he went to Centennial. So, I mean, I've been talking with him, but, I mean, he hasn't been a receiver.

So, I mean, you know, I like watching Brandon play. You know, he's big, physical. So, yeah, I mean, that's the role they kind of told me that I'm going to play. So, yeah. Makes sense. big physical um so yeah I mean that's the role they kind of told me that I'm gonna play so yeah makes sense and so going into Iowa you both talked about wanting to build up some strength you know put on some muscle what are some other areas that you feel like you two need to improve on um at you know before you get to Iowa and when you get to Iowa you know for me are you all right for me you know I'm kind of I'm a taller you know more lanky guy um so just getting in and out of in and in and out of breaks better you know um polishing up the route running you know, I'm kind of, I'm a taller, you know, more lanky guy. So just getting in and out of breaks better, you know,

polishing up the route running, you know, that's probably the biggest thing for me. I'd say for me, playing as a receiver, I'm going to have to be against the linebackers often, hand fight with them. So I think working on my precision on my routes, after hand fighting with the linebackers getting on top of the getting on top of the route so I think just the precision part of the top of the route I think

makes sense and then you know how close are you all to the rest of your class obviously bro do you send out a text like saying anyone welcome to come to Ankeny if you know you can make it up here but how close is your guys's class I mean you guys communicating daily weekly kind of group chats what are you doing yeah I would say you know we got a group chat on snapchat you know I would almost say you know we communicate daily I mean we got a fantasy league you know we talk a bunch of crap in there um yeah I'm really close with Justin Sullivan um he's he's in Minnesota right now but uh we worked out together for a while before he went up there so we'm really close with Justice Sullivan. He's in Minnesota right now, but we worked out together for a while before he went up there, so we're really close.

Yeah, yeah, we are. We're all pretty close. Like, we saw that Zach got hurt. What, did he break his collarbone, Brody? Dislocated shoulder, I think, but yeah. But, yeah, we were all pretty concerned. We didn't hear from him for a while, so I think we all – we haven't even all met each other, but I feel like we all have a pretty good bond already.

Definitely. And so as, you know, as a class, you know, we have a bunch of the Locked On shows across the network. Locked On Badgers is a big one that I communicate with quite often. And they talk a lot about in their group chats trying to recruit other guys into, you know, into the class. And at Iowa, you all just offered another tight end. a lot about in their group chats trying to recruit other guys into you know into the class um and at iowa you all just offered another tight end over in nebraska james carney have you guys been in

communication with him at all i have not i have not i've i've been in contact with the tight end we offered from valley a little bit but yeah yeah yeah you guys need to get on it man we need a tight end of the class yeah fair enough um so as far as like class during the pandemic like what has it been like life um during the pandemic obviously the starting in march what were you doing to kind of stay in shape and work out even though you probably couldn't get into the gyms and whatnot yeah so i was a spring break i went down to texas you know and then we kind of came up early just in case anything, you know, got shut down, we couldn't come up for a little bit. So we came up, and then my buddy, my neighbor, he's got a –

he's got a, you know, nice setup in his garage. Like, he's got a rack and everything. So, you know, we've been benching, squatting. We did that during the pandemic before high school opened up to lift. Yeah, for me was I was getting ready to run track because I usually play baseball but I was going to run track to get my form down get faster before this senior season but after everything got canceled I was lucky that one of my teammates had a whole like two racks squat rack and bench in his garage. So most of us just – we like – our whole team organized like lifting times

to go, and then we ran hills and ran routes of the field. So, yeah. That's pretty convenient then. And then as far as, you know, kind of want to take a step back, the recruitment process. What was the recruitment process like for Iowa? I've heard some of the, you know, the stories. I talked to Deuce Hogan last year about his recruitment story

and finding out he got an offer. What was that experience like for the both of you and what was kind of the thrill of getting that offer? So I was so I grew up an Iowa fan I was a big hockey fan you know we'd go to a game every year so I mean for me to get a offer from my dream school or my childhood school was you you know, a really big deal. You know, I was really excited about it. Yeah, so I was – I'm not going to lie. I was a little worried after my junior year that I was being overlooked. I didn't have any offers like right after or during the season.

I saw all these guys getting offered during the season. I mean, I took a few visits, but then came January or December, Iowa State offered me first. And I was like, I was pretty stoked about that. And then I think it was a few days later, maybe a week or two later, Iowa offered me and I was like, big 10, this is, this is huge. I was just, I was just stoked about it. Then coach Copeland was telling me about Brody, and then I texted Brody,

and then we got to talking, and we made the decision at the same time. Yeah. That's pretty legit. So would you guys say you guys are probably two of the – like you two are close together more so than a lot of the other guys in the class? Like with each other, I mean. Yeah, probably. That's awesome.

Do they have roommates already figured out when you guys get to Iowa or is the plan like room together just room wherever they put you at Arlen Arlen's room with Keegan and then I'm a room with Justice Sullivan nice yeah we all like text each other about it and kind of have it figured out awesome um and just two more questions for you guys uh first one I kind of have to ask this it's, you know, the last summer has been a little bit interesting for Iowa football. And I think the the world in general, Arlen, I've seen you kind of be pretty outspoken about it, but wanted to get your thoughts on some of the stuff that happened in, you know, early June, early July within the Iowa football program and what your thoughts are going forward about changing that culture. thoughts are going forward about changing that culture? Yeah. It's just unfortunate to hear about some of those stories, but you just,

you just wonder like what exactly is true. What's not, what's maybe twisted, but yeah, I'm just looking forward to be a part of the change in the program. I know that there's leadership groups. Hopefully I can maybe be on that in the future. What about you, Brody? Yeah, no. You know, like you said, you know, I was really, you know, unfortunate to hear that um you know you definitely don't want to hear that about any college program um but you know I mean they're moving in the right direction you know they've obviously already made some um they've

already taken steps forward so I mean that's good and you know um yeah I'm just excited to be a part of that makes sense um and then last question for you guys what's the goal this year for football you guys winning the state championship. A championship. Yep. I love it. I love it. Awesome.

Well, Hey guys, I appreciate you guys taking the time out of your day. I know you probably have football practice here in a bit, so I really appreciate it. Any last words for Hawkeye fans? They, you know, if they want to get to know you guys.

Go Hawks. Yeah. Go Hawks, baby. Awesome. I got one more thing. All right. Hawks, baby. Awesome, guys. Have a great day. I got one more thing. All right.

Just because Thomas went to Nebraska doesn't mean anything. We're going to beat them every year, I promise you. All right, and that concludes our conversation with Arlen and Brody. A big shout-out to them. They took the time out of their Tuesday afternoon to have this conversation with me and talk all about Iowa football, Ankeny football, and kind of their journeys to this point. So I really appreciate them taking the time out of their day. Both great guys to talk to, so really appreciate that.

And if you like the show, we'll be right back tomorrow morning. So make sure to check out our episode tomorrow morning and Friday morning. We have these episodes posting every single day by 5 a.m. your time, so make sure to check that out as well. And if you love the show, subscribe so you can get it downloaded automatically to your smart device every single day. And follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. That is right, Hawkeye Nation. You can get us every single day on the Lockdown Hawkeyes podcast, and I appreciate you all tuning in today. And as always, Hawkeye Nation, go Hawks! We'll see you next time.