by Bill Seals
It’s been a whirlwind couple of weeks for a Florida prep defensive end, who has had one Power-5 official visit canceled due to weather and had to take a non-traditional weekday trip to another school. But the recruit is happy to report that his final decision is less than 48 hours away.
Jacksonville Raines three-star prospect JaQuan Bailey, who hosted Iowa State head man Matt Campbell and defensive coaches Jon Heacock, Eli Rasheed and Tyson Veidt for an in-home visit Thursday night, said his decision is just a few days away.
“There’s a high possibility that I’ll commit and sign with Iowa State,” said Bailey. “I’ll be making my final decision on Saturday.”
The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Bailey took his official visit to Ames earlier this week in conjunction with the Iowa State/Kansas basketball game. He also traveled to Tennessee in mid-January. The defensive end had planned to take in Virginia Tech last weekend, but had it canceled due to weather.
But the focus on Thursday night was on the Cyclones, who sent in their full array of defensive coaches for an in-home visit with Bailey and his twin brother JoShua, who will take his official to Ames this weekend.
“Things went great,” Bailey said. “My whole family was here and we welcomed the coaching staff in here and the defensive coordinator and my position coach (Eli) Rasheed. We had a great night together and had great vibes. It was just a fun, lovely night.
“My parents loved the coaches and Coach Campbell said he loved my parents. He said they’re the main reason why he’s recruiting both of us, because we’re outstanding players and have great parents. The coaches didn’t lie and kept it straight forward. He said we’re important to their class and told us the truth.”
JaQuan Bailey said the plan is for both he and his brother to attend the same school, but at this point both Tennessee and Virginia Tech haven’t offered Joshua.
“We are a package deal and want to go to the same college together,” JaQuan Bailey said. “(Joshua) likes a lot of the same things about Iowa State. He thinks it’s a great opportunity to come in and play as a true freshman. He wants to be a part of something on the rise.”
In addition to his solid relationship with the coaching staff, Bailey said he enjoyed getting together with some current Cyclone players from the Jacksonville area during his Monday visit.
“Nigel Tribune has been the starting cornerback since his freshman,” Bailey said. “He, Josh Coleman and I really enjoyed our time on my official visit. I’ve known Josh Coleman for a while and me and Nigel are pretty close. That means a lot.”
While Bailey would likely end up at defensive end at some point, he said the I-State staff has also brought up the possibility of him beginning his career at the “Leo” hybrid linebacker position.
It’s been a whirlwind couple of weeks for a Florida prep defensive end, who has had one Power-5 official visit canceled due to weather and had to take a non-traditional weekday trip to another school. But the recruit is happy to report that his final decision is less than 48 hours away.
Jacksonville Raines three-star prospect JaQuan Bailey, who hosted Iowa State head man Matt Campbell and defensive coaches Jon Heacock, Eli Rasheed and Tyson Veidt for an in-home visit Thursday night, said his decision is just a few days away.
“There’s a high possibility that I’ll commit and sign with Iowa State,” said Bailey. “I’ll be making my final decision on Saturday.”
The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Bailey took his official visit to Ames earlier this week in conjunction with the Iowa State/Kansas basketball game. He also traveled to Tennessee in mid-January. The defensive end had planned to take in Virginia Tech last weekend, but had it canceled due to weather.
But the focus on Thursday night was on the Cyclones, who sent in their full array of defensive coaches for an in-home visit with Bailey and his twin brother JoShua, who will take his official to Ames this weekend.
“Things went great,” Bailey said. “My whole family was here and we welcomed the coaching staff in here and the defensive coordinator and my position coach (Eli) Rasheed. We had a great night together and had great vibes. It was just a fun, lovely night.
“My parents loved the coaches and Coach Campbell said he loved my parents. He said they’re the main reason why he’s recruiting both of us, because we’re outstanding players and have great parents. The coaches didn’t lie and kept it straight forward. He said we’re important to their class and told us the truth.”
JaQuan Bailey said the plan is for both he and his brother to attend the same school, but at this point both Tennessee and Virginia Tech haven’t offered Joshua.
“We are a package deal and want to go to the same college together,” JaQuan Bailey said. “(Joshua) likes a lot of the same things about Iowa State. He thinks it’s a great opportunity to come in and play as a true freshman. He wants to be a part of something on the rise.”
In addition to his solid relationship with the coaching staff, Bailey said he enjoyed getting together with some current Cyclone players from the Jacksonville area during his Monday visit.
“Nigel Tribune has been the starting cornerback since his freshman,” Bailey said. “He, Josh Coleman and I really enjoyed our time on my official visit. I’ve known Josh Coleman for a while and me and Nigel are pretty close. That means a lot.”
While Bailey would likely end up at defensive end at some point, he said the I-State staff has also brought up the possibility of him beginning his career at the “Leo” hybrid linebacker position.
