California quarterback returns to Iowa roots

This Hollywood story will have an Iowa ending.

OK, so soon-to-be Iowa State football signee Grant Rohach lives about 45 miles east of Los Angeles, not in Tinsel Town itself.

But as early as June, the 6-2 185-pound quarterback will embark on a dream-driven 3,000-mile journey from Moorpark, Calif., back to his family's roots, hoping to make waves in Ames as one of several members of the Cyclones' 2012 recruiting class, which will be announced Wednesday.

“We have lots of (relatives) who are amping up for tickets and seats and already pawing at Grant for seats,” joked Rohach's mother, Marcie, a multi-time track all-American at Central College in Pella. “But he has to take care of the grandparents first.”

Rohach, who threw for 3,708 yards, 36 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in two seasons as a starter at Moorpark, was born in Iowa City and lived there until the age of two.

Then the family moved to St. Louis, where Marcie worked for Rawlings, the sporting good company.

Eventually, they relocated to California and his mother now works for Easton Bell, another sporting goods giant.

Iowa's always tugged at his heart, though - and frequent visits to his grandparents' family farm in bucolic St. Olaf birthed some of his fondest childhood memories.

“People ask me all the time why I would love going back to Iowa, why I love being there,” said Rohach, who would bale hay, feed the cows and ride the tractor on trips to his home state. “I just love it. I love everything about it. Going to my grandpa's farm, visiting there weeks at a time, was just a blast with all of the family.”

Rohach's father, Jerry, is a Garwin native and Jerry's uncle, Alfred, is Professor Emeritus in Aerospace Engineering at ISU.

He met Marcie at Central, where he played baseball and eventually went into teaching and coaching.

So back and forth cross-country trips have been common for Rohach.

Wavering in his commitment to the Cyclones never became an issue, however - even though he developed tight bonds with former ISU assistants Tom Herman and Bobby Elliott.

Herman left this winter to become an offensive coordinator at Ohio State.

Elliott became the safeties coach at Notre Dame.

“I knew I wanted to play for coach (Paul) Rhoads,” said Rohach, who chose ISU over Western Michigan and San Jose State and also drew interest from Boise State and Oregon. “I knew I wanted to be a Cyclone.”

He'll get to work on that immediately - after taking part in a Ventura County signing day ceremony at a local hotel.

New offensive coordinator Courtney Messignham pledged to send a playbook west as soon as the ink dried on Rohach's letter of intent.

“I'll be using that this spring, reading it and studying it,” Rohach said.

The Cyclones enioy an array of quarterback options for 2012 - some fairly experienced, such as Jared Barnett and Steele Jantz, some relatively or totally new, such as redshirt freshman Sam Richardson, Rohach, and fellow true freshman Luke Knott.

None of them lack confidence.

“We'll just see in the summer whether or not I'm good enough,” Rohach said of the possibility of making an immediate impact. “But if I'm redshirted, that's fine. If I get the chance to play, then that's awesome, too.”

Iowa State's 2012 recruits

Pierre Aka, defensive lineman, 6-4, 250, Indianapolis

Collin Bevins, defensive lineman, 6-5, 230, Creston

Daniel Burton, offensive lineman, 6-5, 275, Oklahoma City

Devlyn Cousin, defensive lineman, 6-2, 270, Kingsland, Ga.

Dondre Daley, wide receiver, 6-3, 170, Tarpon Springs, Fla.

Jacob Dunning, offensive lineman, 6-6, 275, Leander, Texas

Patrick Harris, wide receiver, 6-1, 160, Groveland, Fla.

Luke Knott, quarterback, 6-1, 185, Lee's Summit, Mo.

Damien Lawry, athlete, 6-0, 175, Dallas, Texas

Mitchell Meyers, defensive tackle, 6-4, 241, The Woodlands, Texas

Cole Netten, kicker, 6-1, 185, Ankeny

Adam Pavlenko, linebacker, 6-0, 200, Tempe, Ariz.

Charles Rogers, athlete, 6-1, 185, Iowa City (West)

Grant Rohach, quarterback, 6-2, 185, Moorpark, Calif.

Kane Seeley, linebacker, 6-2, 215, Perry

Quan West, wide receiver, 6-4, 210, Willis, Texas

Darius White, linebacker, 6-1, 230, Bradenton, Fla.

Duaron Williams, offensive lineman, 6-4, 295, Orlando, Fla.

Note: Possibly subject to change. Players officially sign national letters of intent Wednesday morning. New players Cory Morissey (DL, 6-4, 245, Iowa Western and Gilbert); T.J. Mutcherson (DB, 5-11,190, Tampa, Fla.); and Clifford Stokes (DB, 6-1, 175, Trinity Valley C.C. of Texas) are already on campus.