by Bill Seals
After receiving an offer from Iowa State recently, a Class of 2018 in-state recruit was anxious to get on campus for his first unofficial visit.
Sioux City Heelan athlete Saybein Clark put up big numbers as a high school sophomore, rushing for more than 1,600 yards and 19 touchdowns in Iowa’s biggest class, put himself on the radar of ISU’s new coaching staff quickly. Area recruiter and defensive coordinator Jon Heacock watched the 6-foot-1, 195-pound Clark early in the spring evaluation period, liked what he saw and offered a scholarship.
“They are recruiting me at running back, but their defensive coordinator said I could possibly play defensively at linebacker,” said Clark, who is also hearing from Iowa, Colorado and North Dakota State. “They said whatever helps the teams I’ll be at and I agree with them. Whatever it takes to get on the field.”
An unofficial visit to Ames followed Clark’s first offer, and the sophomore said he was blown away by his experience in Ames. Director of High School Relations Mitchell Moore gave Clark and his father the tour.
“I’m still astonished at what I saw there and how unbelievable it is,” Clark said. “Their Engineering and Architectural (departments) are phenomenal. I didn’t expect to see what I saw when they showed me around the whole campus.
“They showed me the Engineering buildings and they were pretty fantastic. That’s really the selling point for me, because my academics and Computer Engineering are things I highly value. I would like to study that in college.”
Following up on his review of the academic portion of things, Clark had equally good things to say about the football program.
“There was a lot of technology that I had no idea existed. It was good to see that. My dad and I were in awe, especially looking at their weight room. They had the little lifts on the squat racks and I’d never seen anything like that before.
“They have everything that you can possible think of as an athlete. The coaches take care of you and that’s what I want in college, to have a relationship with the coaches and good experience in college.”
The visit wrapped up with a conversation with head coach Matt Campbell.
“He said I fit all the criteria that he has set for his athletes when he’s recruiting them, and that meant a lot to me," Clark said. "He said I’m the type of player he wants on his football team. He knows what I’m all about, and has heard from all my teachers and coaches.”
Clark said he’s already planning a return visit to campus next month and is likely to participate in the Cyclones’ Western Iowa/Omaha Showcase on June 11.
After receiving an offer from Iowa State recently, a Class of 2018 in-state recruit was anxious to get on campus for his first unofficial visit.
Sioux City Heelan athlete Saybein Clark put up big numbers as a high school sophomore, rushing for more than 1,600 yards and 19 touchdowns in Iowa’s biggest class, put himself on the radar of ISU’s new coaching staff quickly. Area recruiter and defensive coordinator Jon Heacock watched the 6-foot-1, 195-pound Clark early in the spring evaluation period, liked what he saw and offered a scholarship.
“They are recruiting me at running back, but their defensive coordinator said I could possibly play defensively at linebacker,” said Clark, who is also hearing from Iowa, Colorado and North Dakota State. “They said whatever helps the teams I’ll be at and I agree with them. Whatever it takes to get on the field.”
An unofficial visit to Ames followed Clark’s first offer, and the sophomore said he was blown away by his experience in Ames. Director of High School Relations Mitchell Moore gave Clark and his father the tour.
“I’m still astonished at what I saw there and how unbelievable it is,” Clark said. “Their Engineering and Architectural (departments) are phenomenal. I didn’t expect to see what I saw when they showed me around the whole campus.
“They showed me the Engineering buildings and they were pretty fantastic. That’s really the selling point for me, because my academics and Computer Engineering are things I highly value. I would like to study that in college.”
Following up on his review of the academic portion of things, Clark had equally good things to say about the football program.
“There was a lot of technology that I had no idea existed. It was good to see that. My dad and I were in awe, especially looking at their weight room. They had the little lifts on the squat racks and I’d never seen anything like that before.
“They have everything that you can possible think of as an athlete. The coaches take care of you and that’s what I want in college, to have a relationship with the coaches and good experience in college.”
The visit wrapped up with a conversation with head coach Matt Campbell.
“He said I fit all the criteria that he has set for his athletes when he’s recruiting them, and that meant a lot to me," Clark said. "He said I’m the type of player he wants on his football team. He knows what I’m all about, and has heard from all my teachers and coaches.”
Clark said he’s already planning a return visit to campus next month and is likely to participate in the Cyclones’ Western Iowa/Omaha Showcase on June 11.
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