Recruiting Report: Jacob Rau (2017)

<h2>October 16, 2015</h2><p>Last season as a sophomore, Waukee post <strong>Jacob Rau </strong>played in all 24 games for one of the state’s best teams, backing up two of the state’s best bigs.</p> <p>This season Michael Jacobson and Anthony Nelson are gone, and Rau will be the guy to control the paint for the Warriors.</p> <p>The 6-foot-7 big has already created a buzz among Midwestern college programs, and has seen some initial interest come in from Division I to Division III programs.</p> <p>“I’ve heard from Lehigh, they sent me a letter. The University of South Dakota called me and then sent me some information. Wayne State sent me a big packet. And then I’ve been hearing from Briar Cliff, William Penn, Central, and South Dakota State invited me to their elite camp this year,” said Rau.</p> <p>“I’d say Briar Cliff and South Dakota have to be the two schools I’ve seen the most interest from.”</p> <p>While spending his offseason running with Martin Brothers 16U, Rau says rebounding and simply being a dominant post presence were his priorities.</p> <p>“I thought that the best thing I did this offseason was be a dominant rebounder and a dominant post-player. The things that I thought I could improve on was I could have shot the ball better and I could have played better help defense, and I’ve been working on that stuff,” said Rau, who defined his style of play to <em>PHI.</em></p> <p>“I’d say my strength is my effort, going after all boards. And my post offense and defense has really been good the last couple of years.”</p> <p>As he heads into his junior season with the Warriors, it’s Rau who will now carry the load in the post for Waukee.</p> <p>“I think this year should be a lot different with Michael Jacobson and Anthony Nelson leaving,” said Rau. “I’m going to have to be in the post and get a lot of boards because we lost a lot of size, and I’m going to have to be a dominant force in the post on offense and on defense.”</p>