There truly is no rest for the Iowa State coaching staff this time of year, especially when you combine recruiting the next three classes with the task of preparing the current group of players ready for a bowl game. All of these are of course good things for a coaching staff in its second year in Ames. I've been able to compile three sets of lists of visitors for the next few days. As always, this list is up for alterations as we gather more information.
Unofficial Visitors for MBB game vs. Iowa:
Jake Remsburg, 6-6, 285, OL, West Des Moines (Iowa) Valley HS ***2019***
The Cyclones are the first offer of any kind for the offensive tackle from central Iowa. He also took a pair of game-day visits during the fall. I'm sure his offer list will continue to grow during the upcoming summer camp season, but Iowa State is in great shape early on for Remsburg. Iowa and Kansas are among the P5 schools with interest.
Gavin Williams, 6-0, 190, RB, Southeast Polk (Iowa) HS ***2020***
After a great freshman campaign on the Rams' varsity team in 2016, Williams picked up his first offer from the Cyclones this past summer. He's since been offered by Iowa, and visited both Iowa City and Ames for games this fall. Williams is a versatile running back that can make plays as a rusher and receiver out of the backfield.
Zach Twedt, 6-2, 185, ATH, Roland-Story (Iowa) HS ***2021***
40 tackles and two interceptions as a freshman varsity defender. Also averaged 32 yards on nine kickoff returns. Most physically gifted kid R-S has had in the 14 years I've lived here.
Official Visitors for December 8-10:
Trevor Downing, 6-5, 290, OL, Creston (Iowa) HS ***2018 commit***
Iowa State's highest-ranked in-state recruit for the Class of 2018 will be on campus this weekend. Downing is certainly no stranger to campus this fall, as he visited for every home game. This will likely be his final trip to Ames before graduating from high school and enrolling for second semester classes. The three-star big man committed to the Cyclones this summer over offers from Iowa, Kansas State, Minnesota and Missouri.
Jontrey Hunter, 6-1, 177, S, Tampa (Fla.) Sickles HS
This long-time South Florida commit is a relatively new addition to the Cyclones' board and will be taking an official visit this weekend. At the time of his Bulls commitment, he had offers from Florida Atlantic, Samford, Troy and Valdosta State. Will be interesting to see what's changed with his increased interest from a P5 squad like ISU.
Anthony Johnson, 6-1, 160, DB, St. Petersburg (Fla.) HS ***2018 commit***
One of a nice group of committed defensive backs in the class, Johnson chose the Cyclones in June after taking a three-day unofficial visit to Ames. He also had G5 offers from Bowling Green, Buffalo, Marshall, South Florida, Tulane and Western Kentucky.
Will McDonald, 6-5, 200, DE, Waukesha (Wisc.) North HS ***2018 commit***
The Cyclones' first commitment for the 2018 class was Will McDonald, who shut things down way back in February. At the time, he had a G5 offer from New Mexico but the three-star would have likely gotten much more interest had he left his recruitment over into the summer camp months.
Jaeveyon Morton, 5-8, 169, DB, Detroit (Mich.) King HS ***2018 commit***
A late addition to the Rivals Five-Star Challenge, Morton announced his Iowa State commitment to Rivals' Josh Helmholdt during the event. The defensive back has a 5.7 Rivals rating, meaning he is a high three-star that is on the borderline of getting a fourth star. At the time of his decision, Morton had P5 offers from Iowa, Penn State, Pittsburgh and Syracuse. He also had several from quality G5 programs.
Chandler Pulvermacher, 6-2, 190, OLB, Hartland (Wisc.) Arrowhead HS ***2018 commit***
The coaching staff truly liked what it saw this season from Pulvermacher, who was convinced to switch his commitment from North Dakota State to the Cyclones. Also had some early-fall interest from Iowa. Given his versatility and ability to make plays in running and passing downs, Pulvermacher will be asked to play a hybrid/SAM linebacker role in the defense. The defender comes from the same high school as junior tight end/H-Back Sam Seonbuchner.
Joey Ramos, 6-4, 275, OL, Glendale (Ariz.) Deer Valley HS
Probably the highest-emphasis target left on the Cyclones' 2018 wish list, regardless of position. Ramos has been to Ames on multiple occasions and was in town most recently for an unofficial visit the weekend of the Oklahoma State game. The offensive lineman is a borderline four-star recruit with a 5.7 Rivals rating. The staff has put a lot of time into recruiting Ramos, as a pair of coaches were in-home last week and Matt Campbell was expected in-home soon thereafter. Although Ramos has several P5 offers, his list has been pared down to ISU, Arizona and Arizona State.
Michael Rose, 6-4, 220, LB, Brecksville-Broadview Heights (Ohio) HS ***2018 commit***
Another defensive recruit the Cyclones have flipped this recruiting cycle is Rose, who had been committed to Ball State. The outside linebacker went on to have an impressive senior season and saw his recruiting stock increase. Iowa State got involved in early-October, got Rose on campus for a game-day visit and by end of the month had a commitment in hand. At the time of his Ball State, verbal, Rose also had an offer from Air Force. Rose is being targeted for a future role as a MIKE linebacker in Ames.
Zach Ross, 6-3, 290, OL, West Des Moines (Iowa) Dowling Catholic HS ***2018 commit***
It was a lost senior season for Ross, who was on the sidelines during the Maroons' historic run to a fifth-straight Class 4A championship. However, a torn knee ligament in August did not effect his status as a member of the Cyclones' class. Ross will be targeted to play on the interior of the I-State's offensive line.
Toa Taua, 5-10, 195, RB, Lompoc (Calif.) HS
Listed in the Rivals database as a linebacker, the Cyclones covet Toa's bruising, physical style as a rusher on the offensive side of the ball. Cordova (Tenn.) back Jeremy Banks is the Cyclones' #1 on the wish list at running back, but it appears Taua has moved up to the second spot. We profiled Taua back in October. The senior also has P5 offers from Arizona State, California, Colorado and Washington State.
Unofficial Visitors for Sunday Bowl Practice:
Jayden Russell, 6-1, 180, S, Overland Park (Kan.) St. Thomas Aquinas ***2019***
A very solid defensive back prospect out of the Kansas City area, whom the Cyclones have already made a great impression on. Russell also has offers from Kansas and Kansas State, but has said he loves what the I-State program is building under Campbell. He's also professed that love numerous times on social media. The junior made a game-day visit to Ames this season as well.
Darien Porter, 6-4, 165, WR, Bettendorf (Iowa) HS ***2019***
Iowa State made the first offer to an eastern Iowa pass catcher earlier this season. Porter is a speedster who is one of the top 200-meter track athletes in the state. The junior caught 10 passes for 251 yards and four touchdowns, while adding 10 carries for 113 yards and one score on the ground. Iowa and Minnesota have expressed early interest.
Jake Remsburg, 6-6, 285, OL, West Des Moines (Iowa) Valley HS ***2019***
The Cyclones are the first offer of any kind for the offensive tackle from central Iowa. He also took a pair of game-day visits during the fall. I'm sure his offer list will continue to grow during the upcoming summer camp season, but Iowa State is in great shape early on for Remsburg. Iowa and Kansas are among the P5 schools with interest.
Zavier Betts, 6-3, 190, WR, Bellevue (Neb.) West HS ***2020***
Iowa State and Nebraska are early P5 offers for Betts, who just wrapped up his sophomore season. The wide receiver broke out during the 2017 campaign, racking up 1,035 yards and 15 touchdowns through the air.
Unofficial Visitors for MBB game vs. Iowa:
Jake Remsburg, 6-6, 285, OL, West Des Moines (Iowa) Valley HS ***2019***
The Cyclones are the first offer of any kind for the offensive tackle from central Iowa. He also took a pair of game-day visits during the fall. I'm sure his offer list will continue to grow during the upcoming summer camp season, but Iowa State is in great shape early on for Remsburg. Iowa and Kansas are among the P5 schools with interest.
Gavin Williams, 6-0, 190, RB, Southeast Polk (Iowa) HS ***2020***
After a great freshman campaign on the Rams' varsity team in 2016, Williams picked up his first offer from the Cyclones this past summer. He's since been offered by Iowa, and visited both Iowa City and Ames for games this fall. Williams is a versatile running back that can make plays as a rusher and receiver out of the backfield.
Zach Twedt, 6-2, 185, ATH, Roland-Story (Iowa) HS ***2021***
40 tackles and two interceptions as a freshman varsity defender. Also averaged 32 yards on nine kickoff returns. Most physically gifted kid R-S has had in the 14 years I've lived here.
Official Visitors for December 8-10:
Trevor Downing, 6-5, 290, OL, Creston (Iowa) HS ***2018 commit***
Iowa State's highest-ranked in-state recruit for the Class of 2018 will be on campus this weekend. Downing is certainly no stranger to campus this fall, as he visited for every home game. This will likely be his final trip to Ames before graduating from high school and enrolling for second semester classes. The three-star big man committed to the Cyclones this summer over offers from Iowa, Kansas State, Minnesota and Missouri.
Jontrey Hunter, 6-1, 177, S, Tampa (Fla.) Sickles HS
This long-time South Florida commit is a relatively new addition to the Cyclones' board and will be taking an official visit this weekend. At the time of his Bulls commitment, he had offers from Florida Atlantic, Samford, Troy and Valdosta State. Will be interesting to see what's changed with his increased interest from a P5 squad like ISU.
Anthony Johnson, 6-1, 160, DB, St. Petersburg (Fla.) HS ***2018 commit***
One of a nice group of committed defensive backs in the class, Johnson chose the Cyclones in June after taking a three-day unofficial visit to Ames. He also had G5 offers from Bowling Green, Buffalo, Marshall, South Florida, Tulane and Western Kentucky.
Will McDonald, 6-5, 200, DE, Waukesha (Wisc.) North HS ***2018 commit***
The Cyclones' first commitment for the 2018 class was Will McDonald, who shut things down way back in February. At the time, he had a G5 offer from New Mexico but the three-star would have likely gotten much more interest had he left his recruitment over into the summer camp months.
Jaeveyon Morton, 5-8, 169, DB, Detroit (Mich.) King HS ***2018 commit***
A late addition to the Rivals Five-Star Challenge, Morton announced his Iowa State commitment to Rivals' Josh Helmholdt during the event. The defensive back has a 5.7 Rivals rating, meaning he is a high three-star that is on the borderline of getting a fourth star. At the time of his decision, Morton had P5 offers from Iowa, Penn State, Pittsburgh and Syracuse. He also had several from quality G5 programs.
Chandler Pulvermacher, 6-2, 190, OLB, Hartland (Wisc.) Arrowhead HS ***2018 commit***
The coaching staff truly liked what it saw this season from Pulvermacher, who was convinced to switch his commitment from North Dakota State to the Cyclones. Also had some early-fall interest from Iowa. Given his versatility and ability to make plays in running and passing downs, Pulvermacher will be asked to play a hybrid/SAM linebacker role in the defense. The defender comes from the same high school as junior tight end/H-Back Sam Seonbuchner.
Joey Ramos, 6-4, 275, OL, Glendale (Ariz.) Deer Valley HS
Probably the highest-emphasis target left on the Cyclones' 2018 wish list, regardless of position. Ramos has been to Ames on multiple occasions and was in town most recently for an unofficial visit the weekend of the Oklahoma State game. The offensive lineman is a borderline four-star recruit with a 5.7 Rivals rating. The staff has put a lot of time into recruiting Ramos, as a pair of coaches were in-home last week and Matt Campbell was expected in-home soon thereafter. Although Ramos has several P5 offers, his list has been pared down to ISU, Arizona and Arizona State.
Michael Rose, 6-4, 220, LB, Brecksville-Broadview Heights (Ohio) HS ***2018 commit***
Another defensive recruit the Cyclones have flipped this recruiting cycle is Rose, who had been committed to Ball State. The outside linebacker went on to have an impressive senior season and saw his recruiting stock increase. Iowa State got involved in early-October, got Rose on campus for a game-day visit and by end of the month had a commitment in hand. At the time of his Ball State, verbal, Rose also had an offer from Air Force. Rose is being targeted for a future role as a MIKE linebacker in Ames.
Zach Ross, 6-3, 290, OL, West Des Moines (Iowa) Dowling Catholic HS ***2018 commit***
It was a lost senior season for Ross, who was on the sidelines during the Maroons' historic run to a fifth-straight Class 4A championship. However, a torn knee ligament in August did not effect his status as a member of the Cyclones' class. Ross will be targeted to play on the interior of the I-State's offensive line.
Toa Taua, 5-10, 195, RB, Lompoc (Calif.) HS
Listed in the Rivals database as a linebacker, the Cyclones covet Toa's bruising, physical style as a rusher on the offensive side of the ball. Cordova (Tenn.) back Jeremy Banks is the Cyclones' #1 on the wish list at running back, but it appears Taua has moved up to the second spot. We profiled Taua back in October. The senior also has P5 offers from Arizona State, California, Colorado and Washington State.
Unofficial Visitors for Sunday Bowl Practice:
Jayden Russell, 6-1, 180, S, Overland Park (Kan.) St. Thomas Aquinas ***2019***
A very solid defensive back prospect out of the Kansas City area, whom the Cyclones have already made a great impression on. Russell also has offers from Kansas and Kansas State, but has said he loves what the I-State program is building under Campbell. He's also professed that love numerous times on social media. The junior made a game-day visit to Ames this season as well.
Darien Porter, 6-4, 165, WR, Bettendorf (Iowa) HS ***2019***
Iowa State made the first offer to an eastern Iowa pass catcher earlier this season. Porter is a speedster who is one of the top 200-meter track athletes in the state. The junior caught 10 passes for 251 yards and four touchdowns, while adding 10 carries for 113 yards and one score on the ground. Iowa and Minnesota have expressed early interest.
Jake Remsburg, 6-6, 285, OL, West Des Moines (Iowa) Valley HS ***2019***
The Cyclones are the first offer of any kind for the offensive tackle from central Iowa. He also took a pair of game-day visits during the fall. I'm sure his offer list will continue to grow during the upcoming summer camp season, but Iowa State is in great shape early on for Remsburg. Iowa and Kansas are among the P5 schools with interest.
Zavier Betts, 6-3, 190, WR, Bellevue (Neb.) West HS ***2020***
Iowa State and Nebraska are early P5 offers for Betts, who just wrapped up his sophomore season. The wide receiver broke out during the 2017 campaign, racking up 1,035 yards and 15 touchdowns through the air.
