by Bill Seals
West Des Moines (Iowa) Dowling Catholic senior linebacker Jake Hummel has been a part of Iowa State’s recruiting class for more than nine months, but it wasn’t until this weekend and his official visit that he got the opportunity to see many of his future teammates in person.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Hummel, who nearly two months ago led the Maroons to their fourth consecutive Class 4A state championships, was on campus along with 10 other members of the 2017 recruiting class and said it was a bonding time for the group.
“All of us recruits have been talking over Twitter and messaging,” said Hummel. “We were all really excited to see each other for the weekend and hang out as a group. Going into it I was really excited and it was really cool to see all the guys and have fun for a weekend together.
“The coaches also made sure that we spent a lot of time together away from our parents. It’s nice to do that before we get up there socially, so we know we’ll have people to hang out with when we get there.”
A few highlights from the weekend stood out to Hummel.
“There was a lot of eating,” he said. “We were always eating it seemed like. I also really enjoyed the tubing at Seven Oaks out in Boone. I liked seeing the weight room. They talked about what all the machinery is for and what the workouts are that they have.”
Hummel was hosted by true freshman running back Kene Nwangwu.
“He was a really nice guy,” Hummel said. “We just hung out at his place for a little bit and he was really cool. He talked a little about getting the chance to play as a freshman, but the main thing was how much time he puts into school with football and how he balances his classes. He welcomed me.”
The official visit weekend wrapped up yesterday morning with breakfast at head coach Matt Campbell’s house.
“It was just kind like casual conversation and not necessarily about anything specific,” Hummel said. “He told me to keep working hard until I get up there and get started with them. He wants me to keep pushing myself and preparing myself for the college level.”
The senior linebacker said I-State coaches have had a steady presence at his school during the recruiting periods the past few months, saying Campbell and assistant Tyson Veidt have been in-school multiple times. Assistant Coach Jim Hofher did an in-home visit with Hummel last month.
I-State is also recruiting and has offered 2018 defensive end John Waggoner and offensive lineman Zach Ross from Dowling.
West Des Moines (Iowa) Dowling Catholic senior linebacker Jake Hummel has been a part of Iowa State’s recruiting class for more than nine months, but it wasn’t until this weekend and his official visit that he got the opportunity to see many of his future teammates in person.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Hummel, who nearly two months ago led the Maroons to their fourth consecutive Class 4A state championships, was on campus along with 10 other members of the 2017 recruiting class and said it was a bonding time for the group.
“All of us recruits have been talking over Twitter and messaging,” said Hummel. “We were all really excited to see each other for the weekend and hang out as a group. Going into it I was really excited and it was really cool to see all the guys and have fun for a weekend together.
“The coaches also made sure that we spent a lot of time together away from our parents. It’s nice to do that before we get up there socially, so we know we’ll have people to hang out with when we get there.”
A few highlights from the weekend stood out to Hummel.
“There was a lot of eating,” he said. “We were always eating it seemed like. I also really enjoyed the tubing at Seven Oaks out in Boone. I liked seeing the weight room. They talked about what all the machinery is for and what the workouts are that they have.”
Hummel was hosted by true freshman running back Kene Nwangwu.
“He was a really nice guy,” Hummel said. “We just hung out at his place for a little bit and he was really cool. He talked a little about getting the chance to play as a freshman, but the main thing was how much time he puts into school with football and how he balances his classes. He welcomed me.”
The official visit weekend wrapped up yesterday morning with breakfast at head coach Matt Campbell’s house.
“It was just kind like casual conversation and not necessarily about anything specific,” Hummel said. “He told me to keep working hard until I get up there and get started with them. He wants me to keep pushing myself and preparing myself for the college level.”
The senior linebacker said I-State coaches have had a steady presence at his school during the recruiting periods the past few months, saying Campbell and assistant Tyson Veidt have been in-school multiple times. Assistant Coach Jim Hofher did an in-home visit with Hummel last month.
I-State is also recruiting and has offered 2018 defensive end John Waggoner and offensive lineman Zach Ross from Dowling.
