ISU's Josh Jahlas, Jack Spreen on scholarship

AMES — The Iowa State football team is placing seniors Josh Jahlas and Jack Spreen on scholarship for the upcoming season, the school announced Thursday.

Jahlas, who prepped at Cedar Rapids Kennedy and had no Division-I offers coming out of high school, has played primarily on special teams in 23 career games and has racked up 21 tackles and two fumble recoveries.

'We had practice on Sunday and I had left the football offices and went home,' Jahlas said in a release. 'I then got a text to come back in and I didn't know what it was going to be about. I walked into Coach's office and he asked me if I wanted to be on scholarship. I said absolutely.'

Spreen, a Bedford, Ind. native, also has played primarily on special teams and recorded three tackles last season.

'This is an amazing feeling and something that I set out as a goal when I was a freshman,' Spreen said in the release. 'It was really unexpected when he pulled me into his office. At first I thought I was in trouble, but then he thanked me for everything I have done here at Iowa State and told me I was put on scholarship. I am forever indebted to Coach (Matt) Campbell.'

Jahlas and Spreen also were part of a group that helped rescue a woman from a sinking car in South Padre Island, Texas, in March. Spreen jumped into the water and swam to the vehicle while Jahlas was on shore for assistance.

'They are both so deserving of a scholarship,' Campbell said in the release. 'The sacrifices and hard work they put into our program hasn't gone unnoticed.'

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