Town boss Paul Hurst rewarded youngsters Jack Lankester and Bailey Clements with their first professional contracts last week and says the pair caught his eye as soon as he took over at Portman Road.
Striker Lankester, 18, and left-back Clements, 17, both put pen to paper on two-year deals having been at the academy since the U7s.
"I’ve been impressed with both those players from coming in,” Hurst said. "Jack I think was one of the players that was given a little bit longer to make a decision on, but he’s been really bright, he’s got a personality, that’s one thing, he almost comes across as a little bit as a ‘cheeky chappy'.
"But as long as you see that happening at the right times, I’ve got no issue with that whatsoever.
"I think too many young players in general, and what the academies are bringing through, are almost kind of robots that lack any character, so I took to him straight away on that side
"And then most importantly on the pitch, he’s always done something in a game or in training that’s impressed me. For me, he certainly deserves that contract.
"And Bailey, as a left-back I’ll probably be harsh in terms of critiquing his performances, the way he is, but he really impressed in the U23s game at Lowestoft just by coming on and passing a ball simply.
"That sounds the simplest thing in the world, but for me he’s a young lad who gets the game, he understands it.
"We’ve got some work to do with him physically certainly, but he’s only a second year youth team player, so he’s been rewarded early.
"Speaking to the other staff, they think a lot of him as well and the way that he conducts himself and approaches his work. Again, another one we felt deserved that contract.”