by Bill Seals
A Minnesota high school offensive lineman in the 2021 class has seen his offer list grow recently, but is also continuing to strengthen his connection to the first program to extend him one.
Edina junior Bastian Swinney, who has had an Iowa State offer since this past January, made his third stop in Ames during the weekend of the game against Northern Iowa.
“We went down and toured the weight room, I got my height and weight in, I went out onto the field to watch warmups and I talked to Coach (Matt) Campbell,” said Swinney, who has also attended a Junior Day and participated in a summer camp.
“He said it was great to have me down. I got to talk to Coach Myers a little bit and we caught up with each other. I sat in the recruiting section and watched the game. They told me I’m their number-one priority right now and want me to get down their again so they can catch up with me. Afterwards, we went into the locker room and I saw how their culture is.”
The 6-foot-6, 260-pound Swinney, who is being recruited by the Cyclones to play offensive tackle, said he enjoyed watching his position group play against the Panthers.
“I got to see the offensive line’s attitude and they’re a bunch of nose-to-the-grindstone guys that are always willing to get out there and work. There was one play where (Josh Knipfel’s) helmet got knocked off and he kept going and pushing the pile. That symbolizes what the O-line is all about, working hard to a common goal.”
As he reflects back on his latest stop at I-State, Swinney said he came away impressed with how the program has evolved under Campbell.
“I saw how the game day culture is and how things are ran around there,” he said. “They have a really good culture, are very excited and everyone is happy to be there working. The program is about developing young men. They’re about going out and playing your best football and winning championships. It’s a championship mentality. They’re about working hard to get what you want. Nothing comes easy in life and I think that’s what Coach Campbell preaches to his players.
One of the Cyclones’ assistant coaches, Joel Gordon, followed up Swinney’s on-campus visit by watching him play this fall.
“It means a lot and means they think I’m a priority,” Swinney said. “That makes you feel special when you’re wanted this much by a program.”
In addition to his ISU offer, Swinney has earned ones from Kansas and Kansas State. He’s also gotten serious interest from Iowa, Louisville, Notre Dame and Syracuse.
A Minnesota high school offensive lineman in the 2021 class has seen his offer list grow recently, but is also continuing to strengthen his connection to the first program to extend him one.
Edina junior Bastian Swinney, who has had an Iowa State offer since this past January, made his third stop in Ames during the weekend of the game against Northern Iowa.
“We went down and toured the weight room, I got my height and weight in, I went out onto the field to watch warmups and I talked to Coach (Matt) Campbell,” said Swinney, who has also attended a Junior Day and participated in a summer camp.
“He said it was great to have me down. I got to talk to Coach Myers a little bit and we caught up with each other. I sat in the recruiting section and watched the game. They told me I’m their number-one priority right now and want me to get down their again so they can catch up with me. Afterwards, we went into the locker room and I saw how their culture is.”
The 6-foot-6, 260-pound Swinney, who is being recruited by the Cyclones to play offensive tackle, said he enjoyed watching his position group play against the Panthers.
“I got to see the offensive line’s attitude and they’re a bunch of nose-to-the-grindstone guys that are always willing to get out there and work. There was one play where (Josh Knipfel’s) helmet got knocked off and he kept going and pushing the pile. That symbolizes what the O-line is all about, working hard to a common goal.”
As he reflects back on his latest stop at I-State, Swinney said he came away impressed with how the program has evolved under Campbell.
“I saw how the game day culture is and how things are ran around there,” he said. “They have a really good culture, are very excited and everyone is happy to be there working. The program is about developing young men. They’re about going out and playing your best football and winning championships. It’s a championship mentality. They’re about working hard to get what you want. Nothing comes easy in life and I think that’s what Coach Campbell preaches to his players.
One of the Cyclones’ assistant coaches, Joel Gordon, followed up Swinney’s on-campus visit by watching him play this fall.
“It means a lot and means they think I’m a priority,” Swinney said. “That makes you feel special when you’re wanted this much by a program.”
In addition to his ISU offer, Swinney has earned ones from Kansas and Kansas State. He’s also gotten serious interest from Iowa, Louisville, Notre Dame and Syracuse.
