Ankeny Centennial football standout Mitchell Grider has decided to follow in the footsteps of teammates Reed Anderson and Chase Kluver.
The senior defensive lineman said he would have committed to play for Drake anyway.
“Their commitment had no effect on my choice,” said Grider, who announced his verbal commitment to the Bulldogs on Thursday less than a week after Kluver and Anderson also committed to the Bulldogs. “I knew Drake was where I needed to go.”
Grider made 48.5 tackles for the Jaguars.last season, helping the team to an 8-3 record and a trip to the Class 5A quarterfinals. He was named to the Class 5A all-state second team by the Iowa Football Coaches Association and was a repeat selection to the District 1 first team.
Grider said he was sold on the Drake program by new head coach Joe Woodley, who left Grand View after leading the Vikings to the NAIA national championship.
“I did look at a lot of other schools throughout my journey such as Platteville, Wartburg, Bemidji, Winona, etc.,” Grider said. “It was a tough decision narrowing down where I truly wanted to go. But when Drake’s new coaching staff came in and they believed in my ability to play ball, I had to go on a visit and it felt the most like home.”