by Bill Seals
After being on Iowa State’s radar since the beginning of his sophomore season, a Nebraska prep tight end earned a scholarship offer with a performance at camp last week.
Omaha Creighton Prep Class of 2021 prospect A.J. Rollins made his way to Ames for the Thursday Night Primetime Camp, where he showed members of the coaching staff the progress he’s made in his game.
“I talked to Iowa State at the beginning of the year, before football season a little bit,” said Rollins. “They had come out to my school. After I got my offer from Nebraska, Coach (Alex) Golesh talked to my offensive coordinator and told him that he wanted me to come up to Iowa State so he could see me.
“I went to the camp, worked out with the tight ends and did a lot of blocking and catching. He showed me a lot of new things. They liked what I did, like with my versatility and length, so I talked to Coach Campbell after the camp and he offered me a scholarship.”
The 6-foot-6, 215-pound Rollins now has a pair of Power-5 offers, Iowa State and Nebraska, to go along with interest from Iowa, Kansas State and Northwestern.
Rollins said he showcased the balance to his game at the tight end position.
“They really like my length and route running, as well as my versatility in that I can split out and play on the line and block too,” he said. “I can create disadvantages and mismatches across the field against defensive backs and linebackers.”
Working with Golesh for the first time was an additional benefit, as the position coach made a positive impression on the rising junior.
“I really liked him, because he actually coached me,” Rollins said. “Sometimes at camps, they just have you go through drills. He actually coached me and told me to go 100 percent and not go through a drill. He taught me some new blocking stuff, as well as a new stance. He worked on my route running. He’s a good person and really worked with me.”
When camp wrapped up under the lights of Jack Trice Stadium, Rollins was summoned to a meeting with Campbell where he discussed his future which will likely include a return visit next month.
“He talked to me and my dad and said I was really good at stuff, but just need to keep working, get in the weight room and get a bit bigger,” Rollins said. “He told me not to rush the recruiting process, but take my time. He said he’d support whatever decision I make. I’m planning to get back up there in late-July after the dead period. He wants me to see the academic stuff and everything about the school.”
As he looks back on last week, Rollins said the one-day trip to I-State changed his perception of the program.
“I’ve seen it a couple times but have never been there for football,” he said. “I like the school a lot and it’s very nice. I could see myself going there in the future. It will be one of my top schools. I like the coaching staff and the people around the program.”
After being on Iowa State’s radar since the beginning of his sophomore season, a Nebraska prep tight end earned a scholarship offer with a performance at camp last week.
Omaha Creighton Prep Class of 2021 prospect A.J. Rollins made his way to Ames for the Thursday Night Primetime Camp, where he showed members of the coaching staff the progress he’s made in his game.
“I talked to Iowa State at the beginning of the year, before football season a little bit,” said Rollins. “They had come out to my school. After I got my offer from Nebraska, Coach (Alex) Golesh talked to my offensive coordinator and told him that he wanted me to come up to Iowa State so he could see me.
“I went to the camp, worked out with the tight ends and did a lot of blocking and catching. He showed me a lot of new things. They liked what I did, like with my versatility and length, so I talked to Coach Campbell after the camp and he offered me a scholarship.”
The 6-foot-6, 215-pound Rollins now has a pair of Power-5 offers, Iowa State and Nebraska, to go along with interest from Iowa, Kansas State and Northwestern.
Rollins said he showcased the balance to his game at the tight end position.
“They really like my length and route running, as well as my versatility in that I can split out and play on the line and block too,” he said. “I can create disadvantages and mismatches across the field against defensive backs and linebackers.”
Working with Golesh for the first time was an additional benefit, as the position coach made a positive impression on the rising junior.
“I really liked him, because he actually coached me,” Rollins said. “Sometimes at camps, they just have you go through drills. He actually coached me and told me to go 100 percent and not go through a drill. He taught me some new blocking stuff, as well as a new stance. He worked on my route running. He’s a good person and really worked with me.”
When camp wrapped up under the lights of Jack Trice Stadium, Rollins was summoned to a meeting with Campbell where he discussed his future which will likely include a return visit next month.
“He talked to me and my dad and said I was really good at stuff, but just need to keep working, get in the weight room and get a bit bigger,” Rollins said. “He told me not to rush the recruiting process, but take my time. He said he’d support whatever decision I make. I’m planning to get back up there in late-July after the dead period. He wants me to see the academic stuff and everything about the school.”
As he looks back on last week, Rollins said the one-day trip to I-State changed his perception of the program.
“I’ve seen it a couple times but have never been there for football,” he said. “I like the school a lot and it’s very nice. I could see myself going there in the future. It will be one of my top schools. I like the coaching staff and the people around the program.”
