by Bill Seals
A Class of 2018 defensive back took an unofficial visit to Iowa State in late June, and says the program made quite an impression on him.
Wesley Chapel (Fla.) Wiregrass standout Shamaur McDowell spent two days in Ames with his father, taking part in the Saturday Night Lights camp and meeting with head coach Matt Campbell and his staff.
"I thought that it was beautiful and it took me by surprise, because I wasn't expecting that out of Iowa State," said McDowell, who picked up a Cyclone offer earlier this spring to go with ones he has from Toledo, Bowling Green and South Florida. "The facility is just amazing and it matches the coaching staff. Both were amazing."
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound McDowell said he received some valuable feedback from the coaches following his performance in the SNL camp.
"I really liked the technique and some of the drills we were doing," McDowell said. "The information from the coaches was good. I think everyone really liked me and I really enjoyed them also. The coaching staff there is very friendly and I can tell they're building a family. It really caught my eye when I saw that."
One thing in particular the coaches pointed out was McDowell's ability to bounce back after getting bested by an opposing receiver.
"They like how I overcome adversity," McDowell said. "Most players have bad plays and everyone always tries to show the good plays. Iowa State went back and reviewed my bad plays, and said how I overcame the adversity and kept playing hard. If someone got an extra step on me, I'll press my weight vertical and finish the play out."
McDowell's visit was capped off by a meeting with Campbell in which he laid out how the cornerback could be a valuable part of the 2018 class.
"Coach Campbell told me how they were trying to build a family and what they were basically looking for in players," McDowell said. "He was explaining how they look at character, that he liked my character as well as the character of others that were there on unofficial visits. He said character means a whole lot, as well as education means a whole lot."
Since he won't be signing with a school for nearly a year and a half, McDowell says he is still in the beginning stages of the recruiting process.
"I'm sitting on four offers right now and am just waiting," he said. "My parents are evaluating with me as we go through the decision. The whole thing is overwhelming to me, so I'm just taking it day by day."
A Class of 2018 defensive back took an unofficial visit to Iowa State in late June, and says the program made quite an impression on him.
Wesley Chapel (Fla.) Wiregrass standout Shamaur McDowell spent two days in Ames with his father, taking part in the Saturday Night Lights camp and meeting with head coach Matt Campbell and his staff.
"I thought that it was beautiful and it took me by surprise, because I wasn't expecting that out of Iowa State," said McDowell, who picked up a Cyclone offer earlier this spring to go with ones he has from Toledo, Bowling Green and South Florida. "The facility is just amazing and it matches the coaching staff. Both were amazing."
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound McDowell said he received some valuable feedback from the coaches following his performance in the SNL camp.
"I really liked the technique and some of the drills we were doing," McDowell said. "The information from the coaches was good. I think everyone really liked me and I really enjoyed them also. The coaching staff there is very friendly and I can tell they're building a family. It really caught my eye when I saw that."
One thing in particular the coaches pointed out was McDowell's ability to bounce back after getting bested by an opposing receiver.
"They like how I overcome adversity," McDowell said. "Most players have bad plays and everyone always tries to show the good plays. Iowa State went back and reviewed my bad plays, and said how I overcame the adversity and kept playing hard. If someone got an extra step on me, I'll press my weight vertical and finish the play out."
McDowell's visit was capped off by a meeting with Campbell in which he laid out how the cornerback could be a valuable part of the 2018 class.
"Coach Campbell told me how they were trying to build a family and what they were basically looking for in players," McDowell said. "He was explaining how they look at character, that he liked my character as well as the character of others that were there on unofficial visits. He said character means a whole lot, as well as education means a whole lot."
Since he won't be signing with a school for nearly a year and a half, McDowell says he is still in the beginning stages of the recruiting process.
"I'm sitting on four offers right now and am just waiting," he said. "My parents are evaluating with me as we go through the decision. The whole thing is overwhelming to me, so I'm just taking it day by day."
