by Bill Seals
Growing up in the backyard of Iowa State’s rival to the east, a Class of 2019 defender didn’t have much exposure to Matt Campbell’s program in Ames. But that changed earlier this month during a game-day visit in which he collected an offer.
Iowa City West junior Cole Mabry attended the season opener against Northern Iowa, speaking with Campbell prior to the game and getting his first offer of the recruiting process.
“Meeting Coach Campbell in person really meant a lot to me,” said Mabry. “It was a lot to process at first. I was just thrilled and really honored to be offered. The fact he took the time to do that right before their first game meant a lot to me. It took a while to soak in, but it was really special.
“He said they’ve been keeping an eye on me and watching my tape from last year. Seeing me in person at (summer) camp was really big. In our first game against Southeast Polk, they liked watching me play against Gavin Williams who they’ve offered. That was big for them, seeing how I matched up. They also heard good things about me from my coaches, and how they look for character.”
During his team’s 5-0 start to the season, Mabry has collected 19 tackles, including three tackles-for-loss, and one interception. In addition to ISU, the junior said he’s gotten recruiting interest from Iowa.
ISU’s recruitment of the 6-foot-2, 190-pound prospect began several months ago during an in-school visit made by area recruiter Tom Manning.
“After a solid sophomore season, Coach Manning came and visited our school,” Mabry said. “I got to see him. That was the first connection I had with Iowa State. After that, through my coach they were keeping in contact with me. They invited me out to a spring practice that I made it out to with a teammate. That was really neat. I really enjoyed that. I got to meet their coaches, see the program and how things work there. I was really impressed after that.
“I went to their camp at the beginning of summer and reconnected with all their staff. I had a good camp there and they said they were keeping an eye on me. They said they’re looking for me to do big things. Early August or so, through my coach they invited me out to the Northern Iowa game. I heard from them after September 1st and got out there for the Northern Iowa game. That’s when I got the offer.”
Mabry said he’s playing in the secondary for Iowa City West, but adds that the Cyclones anticipate him growing into a defender that can move into the front seven.
“They like how I have options (in the secondary), in that I can play safety or come up and play in the box,” he said. “They said my future position depends on how my body fills out in the next few years. They see me as playing more of a linebacker. In the Big 12, linebackers need to be very rangy and be able to play in space. They believe my ability to play safety now will benefit me there, being able to play in space or in coverage.”
Although he won’t sign a national letter-of-intent for at least another 15 months, Mabry said the I-State coaching staff has made quite an early impression on him.
“The biggest thing is just respect for them,” he said. “From the start, they’ve done things the right way. Getting out there for a practice the first time, seeing the culture was a big thing. Everything in my recruiting has been personal. I’ve been very impressed. I didn’t know a ton about Iowa State before and had never been to a game before, but have really gotten to know the coaching staff.”
Growing up in the backyard of Iowa State’s rival to the east, a Class of 2019 defender didn’t have much exposure to Matt Campbell’s program in Ames. But that changed earlier this month during a game-day visit in which he collected an offer.
Iowa City West junior Cole Mabry attended the season opener against Northern Iowa, speaking with Campbell prior to the game and getting his first offer of the recruiting process.
“Meeting Coach Campbell in person really meant a lot to me,” said Mabry. “It was a lot to process at first. I was just thrilled and really honored to be offered. The fact he took the time to do that right before their first game meant a lot to me. It took a while to soak in, but it was really special.
“He said they’ve been keeping an eye on me and watching my tape from last year. Seeing me in person at (summer) camp was really big. In our first game against Southeast Polk, they liked watching me play against Gavin Williams who they’ve offered. That was big for them, seeing how I matched up. They also heard good things about me from my coaches, and how they look for character.”
During his team’s 5-0 start to the season, Mabry has collected 19 tackles, including three tackles-for-loss, and one interception. In addition to ISU, the junior said he’s gotten recruiting interest from Iowa.
ISU’s recruitment of the 6-foot-2, 190-pound prospect began several months ago during an in-school visit made by area recruiter Tom Manning.
“After a solid sophomore season, Coach Manning came and visited our school,” Mabry said. “I got to see him. That was the first connection I had with Iowa State. After that, through my coach they were keeping in contact with me. They invited me out to a spring practice that I made it out to with a teammate. That was really neat. I really enjoyed that. I got to meet their coaches, see the program and how things work there. I was really impressed after that.
“I went to their camp at the beginning of summer and reconnected with all their staff. I had a good camp there and they said they were keeping an eye on me. They said they’re looking for me to do big things. Early August or so, through my coach they invited me out to the Northern Iowa game. I heard from them after September 1st and got out there for the Northern Iowa game. That’s when I got the offer.”
Mabry said he’s playing in the secondary for Iowa City West, but adds that the Cyclones anticipate him growing into a defender that can move into the front seven.
“They like how I have options (in the secondary), in that I can play safety or come up and play in the box,” he said. “They said my future position depends on how my body fills out in the next few years. They see me as playing more of a linebacker. In the Big 12, linebackers need to be very rangy and be able to play in space. They believe my ability to play safety now will benefit me there, being able to play in space or in coverage.”
Although he won’t sign a national letter-of-intent for at least another 15 months, Mabry said the I-State coaching staff has made quite an early impression on him.
“The biggest thing is just respect for them,” he said. “From the start, they’ve done things the right way. Getting out there for a practice the first time, seeing the culture was a big thing. Everything in my recruiting has been personal. I’ve been very impressed. I didn’t know a ton about Iowa State before and had never been to a game before, but have really gotten to know the coaching staff.”
