Former C.R. Washington lineman Royal Silver commits to Minnesota

CEDAR RAPIDS — A couple of weeks ago, a Cedar Rapids Washington alum committed to play college football in the Pac-12 Conference. Now a Wash alum has committed to play in the Big Ten.

Defensive tackle Royal Silver has given his pledge to sign with the University of Minnesota, he said. The 6-foot-4, 275-pounder is a sophomore at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs.

Silver picked the Gophers over offers from Florida Atlantic, Memphis and Syracuse. He visited the Twin Cities campus this past weekend.

'I went to Minnesota, and I just felt like I was at home the entire time there,' Silver said. 'The coaches and players both seemed like genuine guys I'd want to be around.'

Silver had 63 tackles for Iowa Western this past season, including 4 1/2 sacks. He also had an interception and was named a second-team JUCO all-American.

Former Washington teammate Dallas Hobbs committed recently to play defensive line at Washington State. Silver said he was impressed with new Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck and new defensive line coach Bryce Paup, who came to the school from Northern Iowa.

'Coach Fleck is one of a kind, extremely intense and fired up 24/7, but I love it, and he's a coach I would love to play for,' Silver said. 'I also really like Coach Paup. He's a guy that's not going to yell at you all the time but will sit down with me. I feel he has a lot of experience and knowledge to pass down to me.'

Go Gophers!!Elite!!! January 30, 2017

Go Gophers!!Elite!!! pic.twitter.com/wUhu1ItniK

— Royal Silver III (@royalsilverIII)

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