by Bill Seals
Iowa State will take another step in its recruitment and signing of a JUCO wide receiver this afternoon, as position coach Nate Scheelhaase is set to visit the prospect.
Although sophomore Xavier Hutchinson committed to the Cyclones back in June, the coaching staff in Ames has had to work overtime to keep him in the fold after Power-5 programs such as Oklahoma and Nebraska came in with offers.
“I think the bond that I have with the Iowa State coaches and the football program in such a short time (was the difference),” said Hutchinson. “I’ve been talking to the coaches on a daily basis for a while and that’s helped a lot. I thank them for taking the time and effort in recruiting me and their belief in me. God gave me a blessing in leading me to such a great team and I couldn’t be more excited.”
Hutchinson said he’s excited to catch back up with his future position coach.
“It will be really good to see him again,” he said. “Our relationship is very strong. He’s very excited for me and can’t wait to get me up there and I have the same feelings. We try not to talk a lot about football, but it always pops up a little bit during our visits.”
The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Hutchinson said he realizes he’ll be walking into a good situation in Ames, but that he’ll need to hit the ground running when he arrives on campus early next year.
“(Scheelhaase’s) plans for me are very simple,” Hutchinson said. “I know I’m going to have to go in there and earn a spot, work hard and do my best part (to hit the field). It’s very exciting to see the numbers Brock (Purdy) put up this season. That’s definitely something to get excited about.
“He’s got a very talented group of receivers. I know they’re losing two key players with Deshaunte Jones and La’Michael Pettway, but I think that room will still be talented. We can still do a lot of damage in the Big 12.”
While the Cyclones saw the potential in Hutchinson following his freshman season at Blinn, it wasn’t until this season that other P5 programs realized it. In all, the wide receiver collected offers from ISU, Arizona State, Illinois, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Syracuse and Utah.
In order to prepare himself to take the next step up to the FBS level, Hutchinson showcased his abilities in every facet of the passing game.
“I improved my technique and just ran better routes,” he said. “I got in and out of my breaks better. I caught more of the intermediate routes and then took them for more yards. I tried to become more of a multi-dimensional wide receiver and not just a jump ball-type of guy. That’s what I was labeled as at the beginning, but I think after this season a lot of people think I can do more damage in every way.”
Hutchinson finished his sophomore campaign with 47 catches for 652 yards and five touchdowns.
Iowa State will take another step in its recruitment and signing of a JUCO wide receiver this afternoon, as position coach Nate Scheelhaase is set to visit the prospect.
Although sophomore Xavier Hutchinson committed to the Cyclones back in June, the coaching staff in Ames has had to work overtime to keep him in the fold after Power-5 programs such as Oklahoma and Nebraska came in with offers.
“I think the bond that I have with the Iowa State coaches and the football program in such a short time (was the difference),” said Hutchinson. “I’ve been talking to the coaches on a daily basis for a while and that’s helped a lot. I thank them for taking the time and effort in recruiting me and their belief in me. God gave me a blessing in leading me to such a great team and I couldn’t be more excited.”
Hutchinson said he’s excited to catch back up with his future position coach.
“It will be really good to see him again,” he said. “Our relationship is very strong. He’s very excited for me and can’t wait to get me up there and I have the same feelings. We try not to talk a lot about football, but it always pops up a little bit during our visits.”
The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Hutchinson said he realizes he’ll be walking into a good situation in Ames, but that he’ll need to hit the ground running when he arrives on campus early next year.
“(Scheelhaase’s) plans for me are very simple,” Hutchinson said. “I know I’m going to have to go in there and earn a spot, work hard and do my best part (to hit the field). It’s very exciting to see the numbers Brock (Purdy) put up this season. That’s definitely something to get excited about.
“He’s got a very talented group of receivers. I know they’re losing two key players with Deshaunte Jones and La’Michael Pettway, but I think that room will still be talented. We can still do a lot of damage in the Big 12.”
While the Cyclones saw the potential in Hutchinson following his freshman season at Blinn, it wasn’t until this season that other P5 programs realized it. In all, the wide receiver collected offers from ISU, Arizona State, Illinois, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Syracuse and Utah.
In order to prepare himself to take the next step up to the FBS level, Hutchinson showcased his abilities in every facet of the passing game.
“I improved my technique and just ran better routes,” he said. “I got in and out of my breaks better. I caught more of the intermediate routes and then took them for more yards. I tried to become more of a multi-dimensional wide receiver and not just a jump ball-type of guy. That’s what I was labeled as at the beginning, but I think after this season a lot of people think I can do more damage in every way.”
Hutchinson finished his sophomore campaign with 47 catches for 652 yards and five touchdowns.
