by Bill Seals
In the market for a long snapper for the upcoming season, Iowa State will be hosting its top target at the position this weekend when a Chicagoland high school senior takes an official visit.
Mount Carmel (Ill.) prep Steven Wirtel was offered by the Cyclones shortly after Matt Campbell’s staff began taking shape last month. The position has become an area of need after former head coach Paul Rhoads’ son Jake fulfilled the role this past year.
“I first got an offer earlier this past summer from Illinois and Coach (Alex) Golesh, who was their special teams coordinator at that time,” said Wirtel. “He joined Coach Campbell at Iowa State and within a few days and Iowa State came to my school.
“A couple days later, the new special teams coordinator Coach (Bryan) Gasser came here for an-home visit. It went all good and it was great to hear from him. I learned some new things about Iowa State and it got me pumped up. Later that week, their need for a long snapper became very heavy and was a spot they needed this year, so they offered me a full ride. It happened pretty fast.”
Following his trip to ISU, Wirtel will take official visits to Illinois and Georgia in the weekends that follow.
The Fighting Illini have kept its offer on the table, while Wirtel says he would need to win the starting job coming out of training camp in order to earn a scholarship at Georgia. Auburn has also been in contact with Wirtel and is considering making a grayshirt offer.
Wirtel said he’s been evaluating the Cyclone program and likes what he sees.
“I’ve been doing my research on it,” he said. “I’ve never been out there, so my family and I can’t wait to get out there and see what it’s all about. I’ve heard nothing but good things about Ames from the coaching staff. I like what they’re doing with the staff and they have brought in a good group of guys. They’re going to be rebuilding, but will be there at an elite level. I would love to be a part of that.”
In the market for a long snapper for the upcoming season, Iowa State will be hosting its top target at the position this weekend when a Chicagoland high school senior takes an official visit.
Mount Carmel (Ill.) prep Steven Wirtel was offered by the Cyclones shortly after Matt Campbell’s staff began taking shape last month. The position has become an area of need after former head coach Paul Rhoads’ son Jake fulfilled the role this past year.
“I first got an offer earlier this past summer from Illinois and Coach (Alex) Golesh, who was their special teams coordinator at that time,” said Wirtel. “He joined Coach Campbell at Iowa State and within a few days and Iowa State came to my school.
“A couple days later, the new special teams coordinator Coach (Bryan) Gasser came here for an-home visit. It went all good and it was great to hear from him. I learned some new things about Iowa State and it got me pumped up. Later that week, their need for a long snapper became very heavy and was a spot they needed this year, so they offered me a full ride. It happened pretty fast.”
Following his trip to ISU, Wirtel will take official visits to Illinois and Georgia in the weekends that follow.
The Fighting Illini have kept its offer on the table, while Wirtel says he would need to win the starting job coming out of training camp in order to earn a scholarship at Georgia. Auburn has also been in contact with Wirtel and is considering making a grayshirt offer.
Wirtel said he’s been evaluating the Cyclone program and likes what he sees.
“I’ve been doing my research on it,” he said. “I’ve never been out there, so my family and I can’t wait to get out there and see what it’s all about. I’ve heard nothing but good things about Ames from the coaching staff. I like what they’re doing with the staff and they have brought in a good group of guys. They’re going to be rebuilding, but will be there at an elite level. I would love to be a part of that.”
