by Bill Seals
A broken thumb in his right hand has done nothing to diminish the soaring recruiting stock of a three-star quarterback in western Iowa who has had an offer from Iowa State for several months.
Council Bluffs Lewis Central junior Max Duggan suffered the injury in the second game of the season, but has returned and played well the past two weeks. He’s put the Titans in position for a third-consecutive state playoff appearance.
“I got to play in our first game and we beat one of the top 3A schools Harlan, but then I broke my thumb in my throwing hand in the first drive of our second game,” said Duggan, who was sidelined for three weeks following the injury.
“I got to come back against Hoover and in last week’s game against Ankeny. We got a good district win against Ankeny, we’re 6-1 right now and playing really good football.”
Duggan has put up solid numbers in his third season as a starter, completing 26-of-44 passes for 449 yards and five touchdowns to no interceptions. He’s also rushed 49 times for 272 yards and five more scores.
The 6-foot-2, 180-pound prospect, who has a Rivals rating of 5.7, said he’s put to use everything he sharpened up on this summer.
“I worked on my footwork like moving around in the pocket, standing in there and finding gaps,” Duggan said. “When I get out of the pocket, I’m working on running, throwing on the run and making plays outside the pocket. I think I’ve done a pretty good job in the games I’ve played this year.”
I-State continues to follow Duggan closely, as the quarterback said the staff has shown him the love frequently since beginning to recruit him as a sophomore. One of the staff members that already had a solid relationship with Duggan is graduate assistant Jake Waters, who played for Duggan’s father Jim at St. Albert.
“I’ve been in contact with Coach (Matt) Campbell, Coach (Jim) Hofher and Coach (Tom) Manning,” Duggan said. “I’ve also talked a lot with Jake. It’s been a fun process with them. I really like Iowa State and am super comfortable with them. The coaches have made me like I’m a real big priority. I love talking to them and spending time with them.”
Duggan certainly took notice last weekend when the Cyclones pulled off an upset of third-ranked Oklahoma, saying it demonstrates the program is turning with Campbell at the helm.
“We had a walk-through film session on Saturday morning, so when I got home I started watching it,” Duggan said. “I started watching it when Baker (Mayfield) fumbled it on the goal-line. I got to watch the rest of the game. That was awesome to see. The players really enjoy themselves and Coach Campbell getting his signature win was awesome to see.
“It shows that all the players are buying into Coach Campbell. A lot of these kids aren’t Coach Campbell’s recruits, but he’s come in and put down a foundation. He’s brought in that culture and the kids are buying into what he has to say. That’s exciting to see.”
The fact a reserve signal caller was one of the heroes of the day was also not lost on Duggan.
“The quarterbacks are playing well and Coach Hofher is doing a really good job of developing all his quarterbacks,” he said. “I’ve gone to practices and Coach Hofher puts in a lot of time with each one of his quarterbacks, so when something happens they’re all ready to go and have had the reps to get it done.”
In the hours that followed the signature win, Duggan said he communicated with several members from Campbell’s staff.
“I’ve texted with Coach Hofher, talked with Coach (Alex) Golesh and Jake, and I actually called Coach Campbell a couple of days ago,” Duggan said. “It was a great conversation with Coach Campbell and he told me what’s been laid down and the vision that Iowa State has. He wants to bring a lot to Ames. It’s great to see what he’s building there.”
Duggan was on campus for the Cyclones’ matchup against Iowa last month, and said he’s considering one more game-day visit this fall as he gears up for a decision next spring. The Class of 2019 recruit said he hasn’t announced a list of favorites.
“I’m going to schools, but don’t know when or where,” Duggan said. “I’m going to a few more later in the season. Iowa State is one of those schools that I’ll probably take in another game.
“I’m really wide open right now. I’d like to have a decision done by spring, but if I don’t I don’t. I want to see after the season is over, the coaching changes and people moving around. I’m kind of waiting for that right now.”
In addition to ISU, Duggan also claims Power-5 offers from Georgia, Iowa, Kansas State, Minnesota, Ole Miss, Nebraska, North Carolina, Northwestern and Penn State.
A broken thumb in his right hand has done nothing to diminish the soaring recruiting stock of a three-star quarterback in western Iowa who has had an offer from Iowa State for several months.
Council Bluffs Lewis Central junior Max Duggan suffered the injury in the second game of the season, but has returned and played well the past two weeks. He’s put the Titans in position for a third-consecutive state playoff appearance.
“I got to play in our first game and we beat one of the top 3A schools Harlan, but then I broke my thumb in my throwing hand in the first drive of our second game,” said Duggan, who was sidelined for three weeks following the injury.
“I got to come back against Hoover and in last week’s game against Ankeny. We got a good district win against Ankeny, we’re 6-1 right now and playing really good football.”
Duggan has put up solid numbers in his third season as a starter, completing 26-of-44 passes for 449 yards and five touchdowns to no interceptions. He’s also rushed 49 times for 272 yards and five more scores.
The 6-foot-2, 180-pound prospect, who has a Rivals rating of 5.7, said he’s put to use everything he sharpened up on this summer.
“I worked on my footwork like moving around in the pocket, standing in there and finding gaps,” Duggan said. “When I get out of the pocket, I’m working on running, throwing on the run and making plays outside the pocket. I think I’ve done a pretty good job in the games I’ve played this year.”
I-State continues to follow Duggan closely, as the quarterback said the staff has shown him the love frequently since beginning to recruit him as a sophomore. One of the staff members that already had a solid relationship with Duggan is graduate assistant Jake Waters, who played for Duggan’s father Jim at St. Albert.
“I’ve been in contact with Coach (Matt) Campbell, Coach (Jim) Hofher and Coach (Tom) Manning,” Duggan said. “I’ve also talked a lot with Jake. It’s been a fun process with them. I really like Iowa State and am super comfortable with them. The coaches have made me like I’m a real big priority. I love talking to them and spending time with them.”
Duggan certainly took notice last weekend when the Cyclones pulled off an upset of third-ranked Oklahoma, saying it demonstrates the program is turning with Campbell at the helm.
“We had a walk-through film session on Saturday morning, so when I got home I started watching it,” Duggan said. “I started watching it when Baker (Mayfield) fumbled it on the goal-line. I got to watch the rest of the game. That was awesome to see. The players really enjoy themselves and Coach Campbell getting his signature win was awesome to see.
“It shows that all the players are buying into Coach Campbell. A lot of these kids aren’t Coach Campbell’s recruits, but he’s come in and put down a foundation. He’s brought in that culture and the kids are buying into what he has to say. That’s exciting to see.”
The fact a reserve signal caller was one of the heroes of the day was also not lost on Duggan.
“The quarterbacks are playing well and Coach Hofher is doing a really good job of developing all his quarterbacks,” he said. “I’ve gone to practices and Coach Hofher puts in a lot of time with each one of his quarterbacks, so when something happens they’re all ready to go and have had the reps to get it done.”
In the hours that followed the signature win, Duggan said he communicated with several members from Campbell’s staff.
“I’ve texted with Coach Hofher, talked with Coach (Alex) Golesh and Jake, and I actually called Coach Campbell a couple of days ago,” Duggan said. “It was a great conversation with Coach Campbell and he told me what’s been laid down and the vision that Iowa State has. He wants to bring a lot to Ames. It’s great to see what he’s building there.”
Duggan was on campus for the Cyclones’ matchup against Iowa last month, and said he’s considering one more game-day visit this fall as he gears up for a decision next spring. The Class of 2019 recruit said he hasn’t announced a list of favorites.
“I’m going to schools, but don’t know when or where,” Duggan said. “I’m going to a few more later in the season. Iowa State is one of those schools that I’ll probably take in another game.
“I’m really wide open right now. I’d like to have a decision done by spring, but if I don’t I don’t. I want to see after the season is over, the coaching changes and people moving around. I’m kind of waiting for that right now.”
In addition to ISU, Duggan also claims Power-5 offers from Georgia, Iowa, Kansas State, Minnesota, Ole Miss, Nebraska, North Carolina, Northwestern and Penn State.
