by Bill Seals
One St. Louis (Mo.) high school in particular has caught Iowa State’s eye, as the coaching staff has extended offers to four different recruits that will sign over the next few years. One of those is a Class of 2018 running back who picked up an offer from the Cyclones last month.
Lutheran North standout rusher Donovan Marshall said he’s been on the coaching staff’s radar since this past summer and that interest finally turned into an offer recently.
“I knew Iowa State was involved early,” said Marshall. “After my sophomore year, they came down to my school to talk to my head coach. I really didn’t get to say much at that time. I went to the Lindenwood satellite camp where there were a lot of Iowa State coaches working. They really liked what they saw.
“I got another chance to show them my abilities when I went up there to participate in a Saturday Night Lights camp in June. During this season, one day during practice, Coach (D.K.) McDonald visited the school and talked to my head coach. He said one of my freshman guards and myself had been offered by Iowa State. I was really happy to hear the news.”
In addition to Marshall, the Cyclones have also offered Ronnie Perkins (2018 defensive end), Isaiah Azubuike (2019 running back) and Traevon Williams (2020 offensive lineman).
The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Marshall said he got a little feedback from McDonald on what the staff liked about his junior tape.
“He didn’t go into too many specifics, other than saying they liked the way I ran this year,” Marshall said. “I was running more aggressively and attacking the hole more. I got faster, more elusive and improved my footwork. I think I impressed them with that.”
Marshall, who also has an offer from South Dakota and interest from Missouri, said he likes his fit in the Cyclones’ offense and what it asks from the running back position.
“I’ve been watching the running backs up there,” Marshall said. “I like how they use them not only in the run game but in the pass game. They get them the ball and let them work.
“I know that I can contribute not only in the running game but in the passing game out of the backfield. I can run routes out of the backfield, play in the slot if they needed me to, and return kicks and punts. I’ll contribute in any way I can for the team.”
In addition to feeling he’s a good fit on the football field, Marshall said he feels a good connection with members of the coaching staff who have reached out to him.
“I really like them; they’re really good people,” he said. “I really like Coach (Matt) Campbell. Him being a new head coach up there, he’s going to make a lot of changes and take the program in the right direction. When I came up there for the camp, they had really nice facilities and an amazing grass field. The campus is great. They’re not having a great season, but it’s an improvement on last season.”
Marshall hasn’t been on campus since his camp visit, but says he’ll likely be back in the coming months for a Junior Day or unofficial visit.
One St. Louis (Mo.) high school in particular has caught Iowa State’s eye, as the coaching staff has extended offers to four different recruits that will sign over the next few years. One of those is a Class of 2018 running back who picked up an offer from the Cyclones last month.
Lutheran North standout rusher Donovan Marshall said he’s been on the coaching staff’s radar since this past summer and that interest finally turned into an offer recently.
“I knew Iowa State was involved early,” said Marshall. “After my sophomore year, they came down to my school to talk to my head coach. I really didn’t get to say much at that time. I went to the Lindenwood satellite camp where there were a lot of Iowa State coaches working. They really liked what they saw.
“I got another chance to show them my abilities when I went up there to participate in a Saturday Night Lights camp in June. During this season, one day during practice, Coach (D.K.) McDonald visited the school and talked to my head coach. He said one of my freshman guards and myself had been offered by Iowa State. I was really happy to hear the news.”
In addition to Marshall, the Cyclones have also offered Ronnie Perkins (2018 defensive end), Isaiah Azubuike (2019 running back) and Traevon Williams (2020 offensive lineman).
The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Marshall said he got a little feedback from McDonald on what the staff liked about his junior tape.
“He didn’t go into too many specifics, other than saying they liked the way I ran this year,” Marshall said. “I was running more aggressively and attacking the hole more. I got faster, more elusive and improved my footwork. I think I impressed them with that.”
Marshall, who also has an offer from South Dakota and interest from Missouri, said he likes his fit in the Cyclones’ offense and what it asks from the running back position.
“I’ve been watching the running backs up there,” Marshall said. “I like how they use them not only in the run game but in the pass game. They get them the ball and let them work.
“I know that I can contribute not only in the running game but in the passing game out of the backfield. I can run routes out of the backfield, play in the slot if they needed me to, and return kicks and punts. I’ll contribute in any way I can for the team.”
In addition to feeling he’s a good fit on the football field, Marshall said he feels a good connection with members of the coaching staff who have reached out to him.
“I really like them; they’re really good people,” he said. “I really like Coach (Matt) Campbell. Him being a new head coach up there, he’s going to make a lot of changes and take the program in the right direction. When I came up there for the camp, they had really nice facilities and an amazing grass field. The campus is great. They’re not having a great season, but it’s an improvement on last season.”
Marshall hasn’t been on campus since his camp visit, but says he’ll likely be back in the coming months for a Junior Day or unofficial visit.
