Grant Glausser Jumps on Iowa Opportunity

In-State Running Back Passes on Scholarships for Hawkeye Walk-On Chance

From a production standpoint, Grant Glausser's high school resume stacks up well with anyone in Iowa's 2024 recruiting class. The running back broke former Hawkeye Tavian Banks' Class 4A state championship game record in capping a standout prep career. 

Glausser (5-11, 205) led all classes with 2,909 rushing yards this past fall. The Epworth (IA) Western Dubuque star decided in November to accept a preferred walk-on opportunity from Iowa after verbally committing to a scholarship from Division II Minnesota State Mankato. 

"When the opportunity to play at the highest level and be closer to home was available, I chose Iowa to prove to myself that I can play with the best collegiate athletes," Glausser told HN. 

Mankato's loss is the Hawkeyes' gain. Glausser joins an impressive group of walk-ons in the '24 recruiting cycle. It can be a difficult path to playing time, but Iowa boasts a strong history with guys starting their careers as non-scholarship student-athletes. 

"My approach is not losing focus while I'm in college and sticking to the goal of playing Saturdays and not just watching from the sideline," he said.

The Hawkeyes' depth at running back will provide Glausser with time for developing. The top five ball carriers from last season are expected to return, and the program is adding two scholarship backs in the current class. 

Glausser shares common traits with the program that could help him reach his goals. 

"I would say toughness, grit, determination and work ethic are characteristics of Iowa that I share," he said .

In addition to his gaudy total of rushing yards, Glausser ranked second in the state with 33 touchdowns on the ground. He displayed versatility by catching 14 passes for 227 yards and four scores. His 263 yards rushing in the state title game against Council Bluffs Lewis Central were 13 more than Banks recorded in 1992. 

As he showed during the state title game, Glausser is a well-rounded runner with the ability to get to the edge or pound it inside the tackles. He shows good vision and  reaches top speed quickly. 

Glausser has proven to be a solid all-around athlete. He helped the Bobcats to a second-place finish at last year's state track meet. He ran the opening leg on the champion sprint medley relay team, was part of the 2x200 that claimed second and the 4x100 that took third. 

Glausser, who also wrestled, worked his extra curricular activities around his dedication to academics.  

"I've been going back in forth on whether I would like to do Exercise Science or Business," he said regarding a college major. 

When he arrives in Iowa City, Glausser will have the support of Epworth and the surrounding area, just like he's enjoyed in getting to this point. 

"The Western Dubuque community has done wonders for me. They're always showing up and supporting the Bobcats in every sport. There's a deep culture here that I've not seen anywhere else. Western Dubuque has given me a lot of opportunities that I would not find at other schools in this area," he said.