AMES — The top football prospect in the state of Iowa committed to Iowa State on Saturday,
Jake Campos, an offensive lineman out of West Des Moines Valley High School, was sitting in Paul Rhoads’ office when he gave Iowa State’s head coach the news.
"I said, ‘I want to be a Cyclone.’ He jumped out of his chair and gave me a hug. It was great," said Campos.
Campos originally committed to Missouri over the summer months. Rhoads was the first division one coach to offer Campos a scholarship.
"He stuck with me through all of the recruiting," said Campos. "He didn’t back down one day. He was always positive. He was supportive of my decision (to commit to Missouri) but said ‘we’re not going to let you go that easily.’ I have a great relationship with him right now. There’s no head coach in the nation I’d rather play for."
Campos said that in addition to Rhoads, academics had a lot to do with his switch. Campos plans on majoring in engineering at Iowa State.
"Engineering is what I really want to do," said Campos. "They have over 15 engineers on the team with a cumulative GPA of 3.2. It was a great fit for me academically and football wise, I fit their offense. It’s pretty much what my high school runs."
Campos is the 25th known member of Iowa State’s 2013 recruiting class. He’s the sixth offensive lineman and the third Iowa high school prospect.
Iowa State assistant coach Shane Burnham was Campos’ primary recruiter.
Iowa State’s Class of 2013
Trevor Hodge, QB, Perris, (Calif.) Citrus Hill
Kamari Syrie, DB, Hurst, (Texas) L.D. Bell
Emmanuel Bibbs, TE, Arizona Western C.C.
Jacob Homa, OL, Brookfield, (Wisc.) Central
Alex Leslie, TE, New Braunfels, (Texas)
Tyler Brown, RB, Lakeland, (Fla.) Lake Gibson
Nigel Tribune, DB, Jacksonville, (Fla.) Raines
D.A. Williams, DB, St. Augustine, (Fla.)
Justin Webster, ATH, Houston, (Texas) Northland Christian
J.D. Waggoner, DE, Dallas, (Texas) Jesuit
Brandon Harris, WR, Cedar Hill, (Texas)
Nick Severs, OL, Macomb, (Ill.)
Vincent Johnson, OL, Sacramento, (Calif.) Christian Brothers
Joel Lanning, QB, Ankeny, Iowa
Aaron Wimbely, RB, Iowa Western Community College
Brian Mills, LB, East Ridge, (Fla.) Clermont
Bryan Ajumobi, WR, South Grand Prairie, (Texas) Grand Prairie
Ryan Glenn, OL, Waukee, Iowa
Ernest Suttles, DE, Tampa, (Fla.) Gaither
Vernell Trent, DE, Jacksonville, (Fla.) Forrest
Jalen Barnes, DB, Port Arthur, (Texas) Memorial
Shawn Curtis, OL, Orlando, (Fla.) Olympia
Rodney Coe, DL, Iowa Western C.C.
Alton Meeks, LB, Orlando, (Fla.) Dr. Phillips
Jake Campos, OL, West Des Moines, (Iowa) Valley
