by Bill Seals
After Brock Purdy’s breakout freshman campaign in Ames, Iowa State has instant name recognition with Arizona recruits and especially with quarterbacks in the high school ranks.
Earlier this month, the Cyclones offered 2021 prospect Kai Millner, who attends a high school in Purdy’s hometown after watching the rising junior compete in a camp.
“It was actually through the (Northern Arizona University) camp out here in Arizona,” said Millner. “My school, Higley, competed in the 7-on-7 tournament that Saturday and we stayed out there and attended a camp on Sunday. We got some good coaching and got to talk to the coaches up there helping you out.
“After the camp, I got to talk to Coach Boomer (Roepke) and Coach (Drew) Hall and that’s how the offer came about. They liked my decision making, playmaking abilities and how I threw the ball. I liked those coaches a lot and we had a great conversation. They gave me some critiques on how I can become better, which is something I always like. I got a good feel for them.”
The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Millner competed all of last season on his school’s junior varsity team, as he was behind Cal-signee Spencer Brasch on the depth chart. He hopes to become the next multi-year starter for Higley to head to a Power-5 school.
In addition to the one he secured from ISU, Millner already has P5 offers from the likes of Arizona, Arizona State and Michigan State.
Since picking up the offer, Millner has started doing some research beyond what he already knew about Purdy’s first-year exploits.
“I’ve been following Coach (Joel) Gordon for a little bit,” Millner said. “Everything at Iowa State looks great. The quarterback up there now Brock Purdy, his little brother Chubba plays out here. Perry High School is not too far down the road and I’ve known Chubba for a little while.
“Everything about Iowa State checks out. It’s a school that’s up there on the list, especially since Brock has gone up there and been very successful. You can tell that they’re producing quarterbacks and that those guys can be successful up there.”
Although the Purdy name gives the Cyclones instant credibility, he said he’d like to take an unofficial visit in the near future to get to know more coaches.
“I’m looking forward to trying to build a relationship with them. Being a 2021 recruit, I think it will pick up a little further once they are able to contact me. My parents and I are trying to figure out when we can take some of these visits and get out there for an unofficial to keep in touch.”
After Brock Purdy’s breakout freshman campaign in Ames, Iowa State has instant name recognition with Arizona recruits and especially with quarterbacks in the high school ranks.
Earlier this month, the Cyclones offered 2021 prospect Kai Millner, who attends a high school in Purdy’s hometown after watching the rising junior compete in a camp.
“It was actually through the (Northern Arizona University) camp out here in Arizona,” said Millner. “My school, Higley, competed in the 7-on-7 tournament that Saturday and we stayed out there and attended a camp on Sunday. We got some good coaching and got to talk to the coaches up there helping you out.
“After the camp, I got to talk to Coach Boomer (Roepke) and Coach (Drew) Hall and that’s how the offer came about. They liked my decision making, playmaking abilities and how I threw the ball. I liked those coaches a lot and we had a great conversation. They gave me some critiques on how I can become better, which is something I always like. I got a good feel for them.”
The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Millner competed all of last season on his school’s junior varsity team, as he was behind Cal-signee Spencer Brasch on the depth chart. He hopes to become the next multi-year starter for Higley to head to a Power-5 school.
In addition to the one he secured from ISU, Millner already has P5 offers from the likes of Arizona, Arizona State and Michigan State.
Since picking up the offer, Millner has started doing some research beyond what he already knew about Purdy’s first-year exploits.
“I’ve been following Coach (Joel) Gordon for a little bit,” Millner said. “Everything at Iowa State looks great. The quarterback up there now Brock Purdy, his little brother Chubba plays out here. Perry High School is not too far down the road and I’ve known Chubba for a little while.
“Everything about Iowa State checks out. It’s a school that’s up there on the list, especially since Brock has gone up there and been very successful. You can tell that they’re producing quarterbacks and that those guys can be successful up there.”
Although the Purdy name gives the Cyclones instant credibility, he said he’d like to take an unofficial visit in the near future to get to know more coaches.
“I’m looking forward to trying to build a relationship with them. Being a 2021 recruit, I think it will pick up a little further once they are able to contact me. My parents and I are trying to figure out when we can take some of these visits and get out there for an unofficial to keep in touch.”
