by Bill Seals
This weekend the Iowa State coaching staff is hosting a reunion of sorts of players from the past, but they’d also like to make some headway with recruits that could be the stars of the future in Ames.
One of those prospects that will make his way to campus is Cincinnati (Ohio) Colerain defensive back Keontae Jones. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound junior is the younger brother of Deshaunte Jones, who signed in this year’s ISU recruiting class.
“I talked to Coach Campbell (Tuesday) and he said he can’t wait to have me out there to see the campus,” said Jones, a Rivals.com three-star recruit. “I’m going out there this Saturday for the spring game. I’m looking forward to seeing the campus and how the practice works, but mostly the education and facilities.”
In addition to Campbell, Jones has been recruited by a pair of other Cyclone assistants.
“I’ve also talked to Coach (Bryan) Gasser and Coach (Jon) Heacock,” Jones said. “They’ve all said they love my film. They’re talking about defensive back, but I’m not sure if it’s a safety or corner. If they do want me to play corner, I can adjust to that position. They said it will be great when I get out there to see the place.”
While his older brother’s signing with the Cyclones certainly put the program in the running, Keontae said it’s about his own bond he’s developed with the staff.
“They’re a growing program and I really like the coaching staff,” Jones said. “I’ve built relationships with most of them. We talk on a daily basis. It’s not just about the team, but about our relationship. I’m going to get down there to see how the campus works and if it fits me like a home away from home.”
In addition to his one from I-State, Jones has Power-5 offers from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisville, Purdue, Rutgers and West Virginia.
With a flooded list of schools, Jones said he’s not in a hurry to make a decision.
“I’m just looking at all my options right now and don’t really have a top five,” he said.
Deshaunte Jones will also be making the trip to Iowa State this weekend, where he'll be joined by the majority of his fellow class of 2016 Cyclones.
This weekend the Iowa State coaching staff is hosting a reunion of sorts of players from the past, but they’d also like to make some headway with recruits that could be the stars of the future in Ames.
One of those prospects that will make his way to campus is Cincinnati (Ohio) Colerain defensive back Keontae Jones. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound junior is the younger brother of Deshaunte Jones, who signed in this year’s ISU recruiting class.
“I talked to Coach Campbell (Tuesday) and he said he can’t wait to have me out there to see the campus,” said Jones, a Rivals.com three-star recruit. “I’m going out there this Saturday for the spring game. I’m looking forward to seeing the campus and how the practice works, but mostly the education and facilities.”
In addition to Campbell, Jones has been recruited by a pair of other Cyclone assistants.
“I’ve also talked to Coach (Bryan) Gasser and Coach (Jon) Heacock,” Jones said. “They’ve all said they love my film. They’re talking about defensive back, but I’m not sure if it’s a safety or corner. If they do want me to play corner, I can adjust to that position. They said it will be great when I get out there to see the place.”
While his older brother’s signing with the Cyclones certainly put the program in the running, Keontae said it’s about his own bond he’s developed with the staff.
“They’re a growing program and I really like the coaching staff,” Jones said. “I’ve built relationships with most of them. We talk on a daily basis. It’s not just about the team, but about our relationship. I’m going to get down there to see how the campus works and if it fits me like a home away from home.”
In addition to his one from I-State, Jones has Power-5 offers from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisville, Purdue, Rutgers and West Virginia.
With a flooded list of schools, Jones said he’s not in a hurry to make a decision.
“I’m just looking at all my options right now and don’t really have a top five,” he said.
Deshaunte Jones will also be making the trip to Iowa State this weekend, where he'll be joined by the majority of his fellow class of 2016 Cyclones.
