Reisner again hopes to be a steal

Northern Iowa was three days from getting a steal in Allen Reisner.

The Panthers play in the Football Championship Subdivision, where scholarships can be sliced and diced. Three days before national signing day in 2007, Reisner was headed to UNI for a 20 percent scholarship and books.

"It was my only offer, so they were going to steal me," Reisner said Thursday. "Then, Iowa offered three days before signing day."

The setting of this interview says "steal."

Reisner is sitting in the Lucas Oil Stadium atrium, the site of the NFL combine. The 6-foot-2, 248-pounder will run through the battery of tests, drills and physicals in hopes of catching a general manager's eye and earning a spot in the draft.

Reisner, a Marion native, enjoyed a career season as a senior for the Hawkeyes, catching 42 passes for 460 yards and two TDs. Going into 2010, Reisner's highs for a season were 14 and 123.

Those numbers are somewhat skewed because of the talent that preceded Reisner. He played as a true freshman in 2007, just when Brandon Myers' career took off. Myers is a tight end for the Raiders.

Of course, there always was the specter of Tony Moeaki, who caught 47 passes for 556 yards and three TDs as a rookie for the Kansas City Chiefs last season.

Reisner had to wait his turn.

"Tony wasn't the jealous type at all [when Reisner arrived at Iowa]," Reisner said. "He probably knew he was stronger, faster and better than me right away, so I wasn't someone to worry about. He definitely helped me out there. He pulled me aside and was like a player-coach, which helped me out a lot."

Reisner is under the gun here. First and foremost, he wants to get paid to play football. But Iowa also has a little bit of a streak going with tight ends to the NFL. Since 2000, seven Iowa tight ends have been selected in the NFL draft.

On the brick facade outside of Lucas Oil, there is a mammoth Dallas Clark photo. You remember him, right?

"I've heard that Iowa is tight end U and you can say that," Reisner said. "We have a lot of guys who've played in the league and who are still in the league. It's a great honor to be in that group. Hopefully, I can be a part of that group come April."

Actually, Iowa's tight ends/NFL streak wasn't something on Reisner's mind.

His flight to Indianapolis was canceled, so he had to jump in a rental car with a few other players and make the drive. Then, there was the massive medical testing and meetings that began while it was still dark Thursday morning.

"I hadn't thought about that," he said with a smile. "Great, now there's pressure. Thanks for reminding me."

Even if the NFL doesn't work out, remember that Reisner had the position to himself for basically one year. He took the opportunity and ran with it.

"I finally got my chance to prove I could be the starting tight end at Iowa," Reisner said.

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Career Receiving Bests

Catches: 5, twice, last vs. Wisconsin, 10/23/10

Yards: 66 vs. Iowa State, 9/11/10

Touchdowns: 1, four times, last vs. Wisconsin, 10/23/10

Long: 55 vs. Iowa State, 9/11/10

Career Statistics

Receiving No. Yds. Avg. TD Lng

Freshman 2 31 15.5 0 25

Sophomore 11 200 18.2 1 38

Junior 14 143 10.2 1 29

Senior 42 460 11.0 2 55

Career 69 834 12.1 4 55

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