by Bill Seals
An Arizona prep wide receiver enjoyed watching a former standout quarterback from the area shine at Iowa State as a true freshman last year and is now excited to have an offer of his own from the school.
Scottsdale Chaparral junior Tommy Christakos was extended the offer in mid-January after a conversation with staffer Taylor Mouser and likes what he’s heard from several coaches in the month that has followed.
“A bunch of coaches followed me on Twitter not too long before I got the offer,” said Christakos. “One of the coaches came to school and I sat down with him and my head coach. We had a great talk and he loved my style of play. He told me Iowa State is the perfect place for big physical receivers that go up and get the ball. That really interested me, because it’s true and my style of play. After a great talk with him, they offered me.
“Since then, they’ve been super in touch with me and super nice. I’m developing good relationships with some of the coaches over the phone. It’s been great so far. I’ve been talking with Coach Gordon a lot on Twitter and texting Coach Nate (Scheelhaase). They’re making the recruiting process really easy. I’m going to head out there during the summer to visit the campus and meet the coaches in person.”
Given the success of former Gilbert Perry standout Brock Purdy, the Cyclones now have instant name recognition with recruits from around the Phoenix area. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Christakos is one of those that took notice.
“He had a great freshman season and really stepped up and proved people wrong that true freshman couldn’t be in the spotlight for a program like that,” Christakos said. “(Playing alongside him one day would) be unbelievable. It would be a small world, lining up at Iowa State and having him at quarterback. It definitely would help build that chemistry, because we grew up just down the road from each other in Arizona.”
Not only was Christakos watching Purdy play quarterback, but Christakos saw those he targeted in the passing game.
“I like how they value their receivers a lot,” he said. “They’re tall and physical. The coaches appreciate that style of play and realize they have those type of guys. The quarterbacks aren’t afraid to go deep, throw that jump ball knowing the receiver is going to go up and get it. I love that part of their offense.”
ISU is in a pack of Power-5 schools that includes the likes of Arizona, Arizona State, California, Nebraska and Utah that has offered Christakos. A three-star recruit with a 5.6 Rivals rating, he is considered the 82nd-ranked wide receiver nationally and 15th overall recruit in Arizona for the 2020 class.
Not only highly coveted as a wide receiver, Christakos excels as the team’s kicker and punter and has participated in various camps around the country.
The wide receiver says he is targeting an unofficial visit to Iowa State for this summer.
An Arizona prep wide receiver enjoyed watching a former standout quarterback from the area shine at Iowa State as a true freshman last year and is now excited to have an offer of his own from the school.
Scottsdale Chaparral junior Tommy Christakos was extended the offer in mid-January after a conversation with staffer Taylor Mouser and likes what he’s heard from several coaches in the month that has followed.
“A bunch of coaches followed me on Twitter not too long before I got the offer,” said Christakos. “One of the coaches came to school and I sat down with him and my head coach. We had a great talk and he loved my style of play. He told me Iowa State is the perfect place for big physical receivers that go up and get the ball. That really interested me, because it’s true and my style of play. After a great talk with him, they offered me.
“Since then, they’ve been super in touch with me and super nice. I’m developing good relationships with some of the coaches over the phone. It’s been great so far. I’ve been talking with Coach Gordon a lot on Twitter and texting Coach Nate (Scheelhaase). They’re making the recruiting process really easy. I’m going to head out there during the summer to visit the campus and meet the coaches in person.”
Given the success of former Gilbert Perry standout Brock Purdy, the Cyclones now have instant name recognition with recruits from around the Phoenix area. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Christakos is one of those that took notice.
“He had a great freshman season and really stepped up and proved people wrong that true freshman couldn’t be in the spotlight for a program like that,” Christakos said. “(Playing alongside him one day would) be unbelievable. It would be a small world, lining up at Iowa State and having him at quarterback. It definitely would help build that chemistry, because we grew up just down the road from each other in Arizona.”
Not only was Christakos watching Purdy play quarterback, but Christakos saw those he targeted in the passing game.
“I like how they value their receivers a lot,” he said. “They’re tall and physical. The coaches appreciate that style of play and realize they have those type of guys. The quarterbacks aren’t afraid to go deep, throw that jump ball knowing the receiver is going to go up and get it. I love that part of their offense.”
ISU is in a pack of Power-5 schools that includes the likes of Arizona, Arizona State, California, Nebraska and Utah that has offered Christakos. A three-star recruit with a 5.6 Rivals rating, he is considered the 82nd-ranked wide receiver nationally and 15th overall recruit in Arizona for the 2020 class.
Not only highly coveted as a wide receiver, Christakos excels as the team’s kicker and punter and has participated in various camps around the country.
The wide receiver says he is targeting an unofficial visit to Iowa State for this summer.
