James Resar Feeling Iowa Football

'24 Florida QB Commit Strengthens Bond on Recent Official Visit

Florida resident James Resar visited the Midwest last month for some rest and relaxation. That included officially visiting Iowa Football and a family vacation in Wisconsin. 

The Class of 2024 Hawkeye quarterback commitment returned to the Sunshine State reinvigorated and ready for his senior season at Jacksonville Bishop Kenny. He also felt even better about his college pledge following another stop in Iowa City. 

Resar (Ree-zar) verbally committed last September. Some folks in Hawkeye Nation became uneasy when he announced scholarship offers from North Carolina and others in the spring. Programs have continued inquiring about him. 

"I don't really handle it because my coach (Tim Krause) does a good job of taking care of all of that stuff," Resar said. "He works at the school. (College coaches) will come by during the day. I tell him what my thoughts are on Iowa and my future commitment. He tells the schools how I'm feeling.

"Some will offer me and some will respectfully take it." 

Resar is clear with his intentions. 

"I'm very committed to Iowa. It would take some major staff changes for me to reconsider. But I still feel like if there were staff changes, they'd make the right choice and I'd still probably be a Hawkeye," he said. 

Before committing to Iowa, Resar (6-4, 210) reported scholarship offers from Georgia Tech, Wake Forest and Indiana. Notre Dame and others were showing interest. 

Resar hasn't flinched at leaving warm Florida for snow in the Midwest. He was born in Wisconsin, where most of his family still resides. He moved to Florida when he was five years old, but has visited his grandparents and others annually. 

"It did make me feel comfortable with the area (Iowa City). I feel like it's not going to be as bad of a transition. It'll be easy for me once I finally get there," he said.

He'll just need some warmer clothes. 

"I've got some from my dad that he's been saving for me. So, I'll use that," Resar said. 

His father, Aaron Resar, played college football at Concordia University Wisconsin in Milwaukee. 

"I think he wore the clothes then. He still has them from then," James said. 

Aaron Resar played linebacker. He's helped his son see the game from that position. 

"I think he wishes I played defense," James joked. 

Quarterback fits Resar well but calling him a football player is most appropriate. He'll do anything on the field to win. 

As a sophomore, he played most of the season on a broken leg. Not surprisingly, the injury slowed him down, but he believes he develop as a pocket passer.

"I was in pain but I thought it was a bad bruise," he said. 

The injury didn't scare off the Hawkeyes. They offered him a scholarship last June when he visited campus. He verbally committed in September. 

Despite the broken limb, Resar managed a 13-5 touchdown-to-turnover ratio as a sophomore. He averaged 9.5 yards per carry with 10 scores on the ground, according to Max Preps.

Last season, a healthy Resar completed 67.8 percent of his passes for 1,656 yards with 15 touchdown against four interceptions. He rushed for 466 yards (7.6 YPR) with six scores. 

Resar stands out on the track team as well. His personal record in the 100 meters is 10.67 seconds with a few other races in the 10.8s. He's in the process of figuring out how to best take advantage of that speed on the football field. 

"I could run very aggressively, but that can get you hurt, too," he said. 

Just like when throwing the ball, good decisions must be made while carrying it. 

"I feel like there are certain situations. Like in the fourth quarter, you have to give it your all. Where in the first half, once you already have the first down, maybe run out of bounds. It's situational feeling," Resar said. 

Days now are filled with football and track workouts. He's competing in summer meets on the track. 

"I'm trying to get as big as possible while still getting faster. Once I start getting slower, then I know that's where I need to be," he said.

Resar may try running track at Iowa. 

"I am thinking about it. I have to ask. Obviously football is number one. It would be to help with speed training. I'd have to look at how the two go together," he said.  

He received a clearer picture of how the football program operates during his official visit. He was hosted by Bishop Kenny graduate Michael Myslinski, a redshirt sophomore offensive lineman. 

"It was kind of funny because we hang out with our hosts. He's friends with all the linemen. So I was hanging out with the offensive linemen the whole weekend. They're just different," Resar said. 

It's always good to make nice with the guys protecting you. For now, he's relying on his offensive front at Bishop Kenny in pursuit of a special senior season. 

"This is the best team I'll ever be on in high school. We're hoping to make a really long run. I'm not really thinking about college right now. I'm all in on my high school season. I really want to enjoy it," he said.