"I'm betting on myself": New Iowa tight end Hayden Large making the jump from NAIA to the Big Ten

The past week has been a blur for new Iowa tight end Hayden Large.

But in a good way.

Large, a Hudsonville, Michigan native, played the first three seasons of his college football career at NAIA Dordt University, which is located in northwestern Iowa. To be exact, the institution is in Sioux Center, Iowa.

The last three seasons at Dordt, the 6-foot-4, 239-pound Large has been a force in the GPAC, arguably the best conference in NAIA. Over the course of the last three seasons, Large has recorded 62 receptions for 950 yards and 12 touchdowns, and has also been a forceful blocker.

A few weeks ago, Large decided to take a gamble and look around to see if he may have a chance of contributing at a higher level.

South Dakota reached out a number of times to Large when he was essentially a free agent, but when Iowa special teams coordinator and northwest Iowa area recruiter LeVar Woods reached out, the idea of being a Hawkeye started to become a dream for Large, who has two years of eligibility remaining.

“The tight end room at Iowa is probably the best in the nation, right? They know that they can always add more depth, and it’s always good to have more guys in the room," Large told HawkeyeInsider.com. "They said they give everybody a fair shot to compete, and they’re just going to see what I can do.”

Large took an unofficial visit to Iowa City late last week and the Hawkeyes offered him a preferred walk-on spot.

Large committed basically on the spot and wasted no time as he announced his commitment a day after landing the opportunity from the Iowa staff.

Large is in the process of enrolling at the University of Iowa and will step foot on campus again to start classes later this week. Large is well aware the state of Iowa's tight end room with the emergence of Luke Lachey and Michigan transfer Erick All, but he's going to come in with a chip on his shoulder to compete and earn his way.

“My mentality is I’m going to be tough, I’m not going to back down, and whatever happens, happens," Large said. "I’m going to get to work to see what I can do. I’m going to test myself and I know they’re going to push me as hard as they can push anybody. I’m just going to see what happens. It’s kind of an unknown, I’m taking a risk, but I’m betting on myself. I’m just excited for the opportunity.”

“One of the things that [Iowa tight ends coach] Abdul Hodge talked to me about is that he coaches every single tight end and player the same way, no matter if they’re going to be a first round draft pick to they’re never going to play at Iowa. He said he’s going to coach the same way, he’s going to give everybody a chance, and they way they treat their players is like family. They’re going to push their players harder than anybody, but they’re going to also care for you and not treat you poorly.”

Large said it's going to be a challenge to transition from the NAIA ranks to the Big Ten, but he feels his college experience will help ease his transition a bit. 

“I’m an experienced blocker," he said. "It’s going to be new at Iowa, all the ways they teach me, but I’ve been in the trenches, and I feel like my experience playing college football, even though it’s not at the D1 level, but I have experience.”

Large was mainly recruited by NAIA and D3 schools coming out of high school. 

He missed his entire senior season of high school ball. Large pulled his hamstring so bad that it tore off a piece of his pelvis. Large has always thought 'what if' that injury didn't happen, where he'd be today, or if he had played at a higher level earlier in his collegiate career, but he knows that it's all part of a plan, and without his first three years at Dordt, he's not sure if he'd be suiting up to be a Hawkeye. 

“I love the weight room," he said. "I love just working."

Large has been working on one of his high school teammates and close friends to join him in Iowa City. Large grew up playing football with Hillsdale College transfer wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa. 

Since entering the portal and transferring from D2 Hillsdale, TeSlaa has landed offers from the likes of Iowa, Iowa State, Purdue, Arkansas, and Colorado, and plans to make a decision on Tuesday, Jan. 10. 

Large knows it's TeSlaa's decision to make, but he's been working his close buddy hard in hopes of teaming up with him again. 

“Isaac and I have always talked about our dreams and we both want to play at the highest level," Large said. "It has always been a dream to play with eachother, and don’t worry, I want Isaac to come to Iowa and play with me more than anything. He knows that he’s going to figure out what’s best for himself, but I think me being there is intriguing for him. I also know that he wants to do what’s best for him, and I’ll support him either way. I do want him to be a Hawkeye, but I know he’ll figure it out. His dad and mom are very close and our families are good friends, and we all support eachother through it all. No matter what, it’s going to be good, and I’m proud of him for all his hard work, and the player he has become.”

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