Cyclones targeting more size at CB on recruiting trail

Quality defensive backs are at a premium in the pass-happy Big 12. 

Iowa State added the first defensive back to its 2014 recruiting class on Saturday via a commitment from Dallas Wilmer-Hutchins (Texas) cornerback De’Monte Ruth.

According to 247Sports.com,Paul Rhoads snagged yet another defensive back commitment on Monday, that from Victor Holmes of La Porte, Texas.

Neither Ruth nor Holmes boast an impressive offer list at this time but both prospects contain one specific characteristic that has to be attractive to Rhoads’ staff. 

Size.

According to their profiles at Rivals.com,Ruth is 5-foot-11, 170. Holmes is listed at 5-foot-11, 177.

According to our scholarship chart here at Cyclone Fanatic, Iowa State currently has nine cornerbacks on its roster heading into the 2013 season. Only four of them clear the 5-foot-11, 170-pound barrier. All four of those Cyclones (Charlie Rogers, Nigel Tribune, Kamari Cotton-Moya and D.A. Williams) have signed in Iowa State’s last two recruiting classes.

Point: Jeremy Reeves and Sam Richardson are talented guys and certainly worth taking but a little bit of height at the cornerback position is a good thing if you can get it. 

Iowa State is set to lose four defensive backs to graduation after the 2013 season (cornerback Jansen Watson and safeties Jacques Washington, Deon Broomfield and Cliff Stokes).

NOTE: As is often the case with underclassmen defensive backs, positions change quite often. Above is simply an estimate as to who will play where during his time at Iowa State and is obviously subject to change. 

Ruth to try out WR

DeMonte Ruth plans on playing cornerback in college but he’s going to try out some wide receiver during his senior year of high school. 

“I am a playmaker,” Ruth told Cyclone Fanatic over the phone on Sunday. “I play receiver and I do kickoff return.”

Iowa State’s defensive ends coach Curtis Bray was Ruth’s lead recruiter.

Ruth committed to Iowa State before ever taking a visit to Ames.

“He (Paul Rhoads) was happy to have me,” said Ruth of his commitment conversation. “He said ‘Welcome to the team’ and asked me to take a visit as soon as possible.”

Ruth said that he was receiving interest from Houston and Texas as well as Iowa State. In the end, the chance to play ball in the Big 12 was what sold Ruth on Iowa State so early in the process.

“I am familiar with Big 12 teams and how they pass,” said Ruth. “That was a big part of my choice. There should be a lot of opportunity for me to make plays based off of the way that they pass the ball.”