Lane's Trinca-Pasat commits to Iowa

Louis Trinca-Pasat didn't forget.

In the end, after he made an oral commitment to Iowa on Saturday, the 6-2, 230-pound defensive end from Lane Tech, recalled that Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz was the first to express faith in the youngster by offering a scholarship before anyone else.

"Iowa was my first trip. I attended their junior day and they offered me before I left campus. The coaches said I hustled and I was athletic on the defensive side of the ball," Trinca-Pasat said. "It was shocking to get an offer. I didn't know what to say. I was speechless."

But Trinca-Pasat, who didn't play football until high school, was overwhelmed by Ferentz and his coaching staff. He eventually picked up eight more offers but Iowa always was his top choice. "I kept saying: 'Wow,'" he said.

Finally, he chose Iowa over Michigan State and Wisconsin.

"I had a good junior year but I didn't think about Division I," Trinca-Pasat said. "I just wanted to play at the next level. My goal was Division I but the odds were low. A coach from Division II Hofstra and Fordham talked to me. But after talking to Illinois, I felt I had a shot. He said I could play in the Big 10. Now I'm going to get my chance."

Trinca-Pasat, who can also play linebacker, also had offers from Illinois, Indiana, Colorado, Stanford and Northern Illinois.