IOWA CITY -- Tim Lester perhaps did not make the best first impression on Bryce George out of high school.
George visited Western Michigan -- where Lester was the head coach at the time -- and Lester "talked to my parents for a little bit."
"But then when I went in to talk in his office and everything like that -- because I was walking around with the coaches, and my parents just went in to talk to him -- he went out golfing with a booster," George said.
Fast-forward several years, and Iowa's offensive coordinator seems to have made a much better second impression. His ex-Western Michigan recruiting target now is perhaps the Hawkeyes' biggest addition of the spring transfer portal cycle.
George, a 6-foot-5 offensive tackle, committed to Iowa on April 18 after five seasons at Division II level Ferris State. He played on three national championship-winning teams and was a first-team All-American in 2024.
"Obviously going into the portal, (Iowa) was a big school that I was planning to -- if they offered and everything like that, for me to come play for them -- they'd be high up there from Day No. 1 because Iowa is known for their O-line development and putting offensive linemen in the NFL," George said.
George planned on going to visits to California, USC and Kansas. Maryland, Rutgers and Illinois were among the other schools to reach after he entered the portal.
The former Ferris State standout's "whole goal is obviously to go pro," and he sought a school that could help with that pursuit in his final year of eligibility.
His commitment came about a week before the Hawkeyes had their 20th and 21st offensive linemen get drafted in the Kirk Ferentz era. Mason Richman and Connor Colby were seventh-round selections.
"Seeing two guys that were just on the team last year (get drafted) -- and playing with the guys I'm going to go in and play with -- is really eye-opening to know that I can develop with these guys, and they can help me get better," George said. "And hopefully I can help them get better in my own way."
George could potentially be the one filling the void for the now-NFL-bound Richman at left tackle. He will have internal competition from Trevor Lauck and Jack Dotzler, but George has a clear advantage in experience ahead of fall camp. (Lauck and Dotzler have a combined 55 career offensive snaps, per Pro Football Focus.)
It's one of the few voids on Iowa's offensive line. Center Logan Jones and right tackle Gennings Dunker -- arguably the Hawkeyes' best two offensive linemen -- are back in 2025 rather than pursuing professional careers. Beau Stephens also returns after starting in 11 games last season at left guard.
George played predominantly at left tackle in 2024 after playing right tackle in 2023. He is "comfortable playing guard too, if they needed that."
"A fast, athletic guy that gets hands on really fast and is explosive when run blocking," George said when asked for the scouting report on himself. "Really sits well on pass block, and quick feet is my big one that I pride myself on."
The Detroit native's success at the position is despite being relatively new to it. George arrived at Ferris State as a tight end, but he eventually wanted to be "a bigger part of the team" and asked his coach about moving to either offensive line or defensive line.
A couple years later, it is safe to say the position change worked out well for the 314-pound offensive lineman as he prepares to move to Iowa City for his final year of college football.
"I'll sit down and sometimes think like, 'Wow, I'm going to be playing Big Ten football,'" George said. "Something that I obviously dreamed of as a little kid, so it's going to be a great experience."
As for Lester's second recruitment of George, he was in his office this time rather than the golf course. (George said there are "no hard feelings" from the first recruitment either.)
"I guess he hasn't changed at Iowa," George said. "They all were saying, 'Yeah, he still loves to golf.'"
Comments: [email protected]
Sign up for our curated Iowa Hawkeyes athletics newsletter at thegazette.com/hawks.