Two-year wait prepares Iowa receiver Jay Scheel for breakthrough moment

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The spring ended on something of a quiet note Saturday for Iowa wide receiver Jay Scheel. He made one catch for a 7-yard gain in the final practice of 15 that took place over the past five weeks.

The Hawkeyes expect more noise from the sophomore in about five months.

Indications exists that it’s time for Scheel to shine in the Iowa offense. He is perhaps the most heralded of Iowa’s young wideouts, and there’s no doubt that his presence has generated the most buzz. For a year now, fans have awaited a breakout moment from Scheel.

When he caught a long pass from C.J. Beathard at Iowa’s open practice this month in Des Moines, the crowd roared its approval. When receivers coach Bobby Kennedy took questions from the media this spring, Scheel’s progress was the first subject addressed.

Of the fanfare, Scheel said, “it’s all good and well.”

Jay Scheel has a big spring for Iowa and hopes to be one of the Hawkeyes’ primary receivers. David Purdy/Getty Images

“If you think about that kind of stuff and it’s in your head,” Scheel said, “you’re not really thinking about playing the game.

“I haven’t done anything on the field. [The hype] is kind of coming out of nowhere.”

It’s really not, though. Scheel was an ESPN 300 prospect out of Mount Auburn, Iowa, in the Class of 2014 and a state champion quarterback at Union High School.

He ranked behind only offensive lineman Ross …

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