by Bill Seals
A three-star cornerback from one of the top programs in southern California will take an official visit to Iowa State this weekend, and said he made a concerted effort to get out to Ames before anywhere else.
West Hills Chaminade senior Dallas Taylor-Cortez will be in the first group of official visitors the Cyclones will host for the 2017 season.
“I’ll be at Iowa State this weekend for an official visit when they’re playing Northern Iowa,” said Taylor-Cortez. “My mom and I are very excited. This is my first official and I wanted them to be my first because how much communication I’ve had with Coach (Matt) Campbell and Coach (D.K.) McDonald. We’re looking forward to seeing how the team is and what it’s like out there in Iowa, the weather.”
The 6-foot-3, 173-pound defender is being looked at as the versatile secondary addition the staff has coveted under Campbell.
“They really like my coverage ability, speed and length,” Taylor-Cortez said. “A lot of schools are starting to look for taller corners, because receivers are starting to get taller. I can protect the deep ball and the fade ball. They’re recruiting me to play corner, but I might play a little nickel.”
Since picking up an offer from the Cyclones, the defensive back said the duo of McDonald and Campbell have made quite the impression.
“The recruitment has been good,” Taylor-Cortez said. “Coach McDonald has been honest with me, which I really appreciate. (Campbell) is a young coach and I like young coaches. He’s always wishing me luck with going into school and football games. He told me how excited he is to see me and can’t wait to have me out there. I’ve spoken to him a few times on FaceTime.”
Taylor-Cortez will face off with an I-State commit in less than two weeks when his Chaminade team plays Re-Al Mitchell and Bellflower St. John Bosco. Taylor-Cortez said he’s heard some positive things from Mitchell.
“I spoke with (Re-Al) around the time I got the offer,” Taylor-Cortez said. “He said if I wanted to go to a place that’s not all about the hype and a place I’ll be able to develop, that Iowa State is the place to go.”
From afar, Taylor-Cortez said he enjoys what he’s seen of the Cyclone program through social media and in clips of a former star at the university.
“I have watched highlights of a quarterback [Seneca Wallace] that was really good at Iowa State,” he said. “I have watched the game highlights and game day experience for football players, what they do for home games and how they walk through the tunnel to get to the stadium. It’s real intriguing to me. I like it so far and can’t wait to get out there.”
A foursome of schools currently stands out the most to Taylor-Cortez, at least in the degree to which they’re recruiting him. Overall, he has Power-5 offers from the likes of I-State, Arizona, Oregon State, Utah and Washington State.
“Utah and Iowa State hit me up the most, and then I also have Washington State and Oregon State out there,” he said. “Arizona hits me up every now and then. I have no timeframe (for a decision). I’m just wanting to go on my visits. I would like to commit by December, or before that like around Thanksgiving.”
A three-star cornerback from one of the top programs in southern California will take an official visit to Iowa State this weekend, and said he made a concerted effort to get out to Ames before anywhere else.
West Hills Chaminade senior Dallas Taylor-Cortez will be in the first group of official visitors the Cyclones will host for the 2017 season.
“I’ll be at Iowa State this weekend for an official visit when they’re playing Northern Iowa,” said Taylor-Cortez. “My mom and I are very excited. This is my first official and I wanted them to be my first because how much communication I’ve had with Coach (Matt) Campbell and Coach (D.K.) McDonald. We’re looking forward to seeing how the team is and what it’s like out there in Iowa, the weather.”
The 6-foot-3, 173-pound defender is being looked at as the versatile secondary addition the staff has coveted under Campbell.
“They really like my coverage ability, speed and length,” Taylor-Cortez said. “A lot of schools are starting to look for taller corners, because receivers are starting to get taller. I can protect the deep ball and the fade ball. They’re recruiting me to play corner, but I might play a little nickel.”
Since picking up an offer from the Cyclones, the defensive back said the duo of McDonald and Campbell have made quite the impression.
“The recruitment has been good,” Taylor-Cortez said. “Coach McDonald has been honest with me, which I really appreciate. (Campbell) is a young coach and I like young coaches. He’s always wishing me luck with going into school and football games. He told me how excited he is to see me and can’t wait to have me out there. I’ve spoken to him a few times on FaceTime.”
Taylor-Cortez will face off with an I-State commit in less than two weeks when his Chaminade team plays Re-Al Mitchell and Bellflower St. John Bosco. Taylor-Cortez said he’s heard some positive things from Mitchell.
“I spoke with (Re-Al) around the time I got the offer,” Taylor-Cortez said. “He said if I wanted to go to a place that’s not all about the hype and a place I’ll be able to develop, that Iowa State is the place to go.”
From afar, Taylor-Cortez said he enjoys what he’s seen of the Cyclone program through social media and in clips of a former star at the university.
“I have watched highlights of a quarterback [Seneca Wallace] that was really good at Iowa State,” he said. “I have watched the game highlights and game day experience for football players, what they do for home games and how they walk through the tunnel to get to the stadium. It’s real intriguing to me. I like it so far and can’t wait to get out there.”
A foursome of schools currently stands out the most to Taylor-Cortez, at least in the degree to which they’re recruiting him. Overall, he has Power-5 offers from the likes of I-State, Arizona, Oregon State, Utah and Washington State.
“Utah and Iowa State hit me up the most, and then I also have Washington State and Oregon State out there,” he said. “Arizona hits me up every now and then. I have no timeframe (for a decision). I’m just wanting to go on my visits. I would like to commit by December, or before that like around Thanksgiving.”
