Van Sloten story -- from Saturday

It took awhile, but I finally got Brett Van Sloten, Iowa's latest recruit, on the phone. I had no idea high school football took that much time. Way different than my days. I used film study -- 8mm film, projector style -- for a good nap.

[naviga:h1 class="sports_art_head"]Van Sloten's spot with Hawks will be offensive tackle

By Marc Morehouse

The Gazette

marc.morehouse@gazettecommunications.com

Brett Van Sloten Headed to O-line

IOWA CITY - Decorah's Brett Van Sloten committed to play football at the University of Iowa Tuesday evening. Then, he disappeared.

His schedule with the Vikings kept him busy late into Wednesday night. He finally had a few minutes Thursday to return some calls.

"It's not required, but us captains get together with a bunch of people and go watch film," the 6-foot-6, 255-pounder said. "It's just the team. No coaches are there. We just go to a house and bond and that sort of thing."

You can see why Van Sloten's duties on the football field would keep him hopping through Friday night. He plays defensive tackle, tight end and also punts. At Iowa, he'll move to the offensive line with an eye toward a spot as a tackle.

Head coach Kirk Ferentz and offensive line coach Reese Morgan told Van Sloten during recruiting that they want him at offensive tackle.

"I'm totally game with that," Van Sloten said. "I just want a chance to play. If it's at left tackle, it's a left tackle. Wherever they want me, I'll do my best."

Van Sloten's dad, Doug, played football at Iowa State (1981-85). Brett Van Sloten attended football camps at Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas and Northern Iowa.

His only offer came from the Hawkeyes.

His dad pretty much stayed out of it.

"He wanted me to do what was best for me," Van Sloten said. "He was more for me going to Iowa, because he thought that'd be the best place for me. In the end, he let me decide."

Van Sloten also is a top prep basketball player.

He received interest from Northern Iowa, a mid-major in the Missouri Valley Conference. As it turns out, the basketball might run deeper in the family roots than the football.

Brett's older sisters, Sharese and Bethany, play college basketball at Wartburg and Luther, respectively.

His mom, Kendra, played six-player basketball at Ackley-Geneva.

The family has had its share of 2-on-3 match-ups during Christmas breaks in Decorah.

"We play at the local rec center during Christmas and it gets pretty intense," said Brett, who averaged 21.6 points and 15 rebounds last season. "No one wants to lose."

Van Sloten is the sixth member of Iowa's 2009 recruiting class, which has a distinct Iowa flavor.

Five Iowans have given the Hawkeyes a commitment, including Cedar Rapids Washington receiver Keenan Davis and Marion lineman Drew Clark. Verbal commitments are non-binding. The national signing period begins in early February.