Issue link: https://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/106818
In 2005, that included Ross-Ade Stadium in Purdue, where Yanda started at right tackle and more than held his own against defensive end Ray Edwards, now with the Falcons. Iowa also defeated No. 19 Wisconsin, 2010, in the rain in Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, during Barry Alvarez's final regular-season game as head coach. In 2006, the Hawkeyes opened with four straight wins, including a 27-17 decision against Iowa State in Iowa City and they spent the postseason at the Alamo Bowl. But it wasn't until an invitation to the Senior Bowl arrived that Yanda realized he had a future in professional football. "You don't know how far it will take you," he said. "I still take the same approach of one day at a time and see where you are at the end of the day. In high school, I wanted to play for the Hawks and that was it. I had no aspirations of playing in the NFL, so when I went to NIACC, it was like, bust my butt for two years and see if I can get a scholarship to play for Iowa." The time Yanda spent at the UI was invaluable and launched him to the next level. "There is such a high respect level for coach Ferentz in the NFL, that for him to say, 'Hey, this kid is probably going to be a good player' spoke volumes to the coaches and staffs of the NFL teams," Yanda said. "That was a huge influence with them. Even before looking at me, his word went a long way." Yanda said he received a lot of advice from Ferentz over the years, but none more important than after the 2007 NFL Draft. "Coach Ferentz told me to stay the same, don't change," Yanda said. "It doesn't matter about the money, continue to do what you're doing now and life will be great. Don't change your personality and don't think you don't have to work hard now that you've made it." Yanda and his wife recently purchased a home in Marion, and he still makes the commute to the Hayden 12 Offensive guard Marshal Yanda (No. 73) is a big reason the Baltimore Ravens rank fifth in the NFL by averaging 424.7 total yards per game. Yanda played at the University of Iowa in 2005 and '06. Fry Football Complex to work out with strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle. "I'm here working out with the same regimen as 2005," Yanda said. "That's still working, so don't change it." Doyle treats All-Pro Yanda like he treated junior college transfer Yanda. "Coach Doyle shoots me straight, and I love that about him," Yanda said. "He makes you work hard, he expects 100 percent effort every day, and I like that level of intensity. If I'm not getting low on my squat, or if I'm doing things in the weight room that aren't right, he's going to shoot me straight, like day one. He gets after it no matter who you are, and he's going to make sure you're doing it to the fullest." Yanda signed a five-year, $32 million contract with the Ravens that runs until 2015. That financial security has allowed him to splurge on what he calls his "two big toys": a Ranger 620 walleye fishing boat and a SnoBear winter recreation vehicle designed for ice fishing. But make no mistake, success has not spoiled this former Hawkeye. He came to Iowa City as a raw project, and left with an appreciation for detail, fundamentals and proper technique. "Coach Ferentz taught me to focus on the little things and get better at one thing each day," Yanda said. "I have taken that mindset and done it day-by-day and stacked days, and I never looked back. Iowa put me on track to being a successful starter at a Pro Bowl level in the NFL. It worked out great for me."