by Bill Seals
Iowa State rolled out the red carpet on Saturday for a Class of 2021 tight end from Nebraska, who had yet to make a game day to Ames during his recruitment.
Omaha Creighton Prep junior A.J. Rollins said he covered a lot about the football program and even hit on some of the academic aspects as the Cyclones opened the season with a victory over Northern Iowa.
“I got there in the morning between 8 and 9,” said Rollins, who participated in the Cyclones’ Thursday Night Prime Time camp in June. “We went to the indoor practice facility, got breakfast and I talked to some of the coaches like Coach (Alex) Golesh. Coach (Matt) Campbell spoke to us about what we were going to do all day. Afterwards, we went to see the weight room and a PowerPoint of the new facility that they’re building.
“We went to the game and walked through the tunnel out onto the field. We watched the players warm up and stuff, then went up to our seats and watched the players a little bit more. We watched the whole game and the environment was good. Everything went great. After the game, I went to the locker room with the team. Coach Campbell and both coordinators talked to both sides.
“After the game, I went on a tour of the school with my family. I got to see the entire campus and really enjoyed Central Campus. I saw the academic part for the athletes. After the tour of the school, I came back to the football facility and talked to Coach Golesh about everything. My family and I talked to Coach Campbell and we talked about me getting back up for another visit. This one would have more of an emphasis on academics and wouldn’t necessarily be for a game.”
The 6-foot-6, 215-pound Rollins also has an offer from Nebraska to go along with interest from Iowa, Kansas State and Northwestern.
His one-day trip to I-State came just hours after he kicked off his junior season with a two-catch, 53-yard effort in a victory over Omaha North.
According to Rollins, ISU’s Golesh said he likes the versatility in his game and was happy that the players at his position were as involved as they were against UNI.
“Golesh told me they would use all of my abilities to the fullest,” Rollins said. “He’s going to come out for my game on Friday, so I’m excited about that. He really liked the Hudl video I put out not too long ago and everything I showed on there. We talked about how they used all three tight ends on the field at once and how they all get used and targeted. The tight ends had a good game, so I was excited to see that.”
Another positive impression of Iowa State will spur additional trips there, says Rollins.
“I don’t know when, but I’m definitely coming back up before the season ends,” he said. “I’ll probably be back two more times. This was my first-ever visit in recruiting, so this gave me a feel for how everything goes. It was an all-around good experience at Iowa State.”
Iowa State rolled out the red carpet on Saturday for a Class of 2021 tight end from Nebraska, who had yet to make a game day to Ames during his recruitment.
Omaha Creighton Prep junior A.J. Rollins said he covered a lot about the football program and even hit on some of the academic aspects as the Cyclones opened the season with a victory over Northern Iowa.
“I got there in the morning between 8 and 9,” said Rollins, who participated in the Cyclones’ Thursday Night Prime Time camp in June. “We went to the indoor practice facility, got breakfast and I talked to some of the coaches like Coach (Alex) Golesh. Coach (Matt) Campbell spoke to us about what we were going to do all day. Afterwards, we went to see the weight room and a PowerPoint of the new facility that they’re building.
“We went to the game and walked through the tunnel out onto the field. We watched the players warm up and stuff, then went up to our seats and watched the players a little bit more. We watched the whole game and the environment was good. Everything went great. After the game, I went to the locker room with the team. Coach Campbell and both coordinators talked to both sides.
“After the game, I went on a tour of the school with my family. I got to see the entire campus and really enjoyed Central Campus. I saw the academic part for the athletes. After the tour of the school, I came back to the football facility and talked to Coach Golesh about everything. My family and I talked to Coach Campbell and we talked about me getting back up for another visit. This one would have more of an emphasis on academics and wouldn’t necessarily be for a game.”
The 6-foot-6, 215-pound Rollins also has an offer from Nebraska to go along with interest from Iowa, Kansas State and Northwestern.
His one-day trip to I-State came just hours after he kicked off his junior season with a two-catch, 53-yard effort in a victory over Omaha North.
According to Rollins, ISU’s Golesh said he likes the versatility in his game and was happy that the players at his position were as involved as they were against UNI.
“Golesh told me they would use all of my abilities to the fullest,” Rollins said. “He’s going to come out for my game on Friday, so I’m excited about that. He really liked the Hudl video I put out not too long ago and everything I showed on there. We talked about how they used all three tight ends on the field at once and how they all get used and targeted. The tight ends had a good game, so I was excited to see that.”
Another positive impression of Iowa State will spur additional trips there, says Rollins.
“I don’t know when, but I’m definitely coming back up before the season ends,” he said. “I’ll probably be back two more times. This was my first-ever visit in recruiting, so this gave me a feel for how everything goes. It was an all-around good experience at Iowa State.”
