Three Thoughts on Thursday: Love for Levi

HUMBOLDT, IOWA — This entire RVTV experience has been incredible but I had an especially memorable moment at a bar called the Knotty Pine in Humboldt Wednesday night.

An enthusiastic man approached me and introduced himself as the father of Iowa State linebacker Levi Peters.

My euphoric response: “Your son is like my favorite Cyclone of all-time!” 

From there, we did what a couple of Fanatics in a bar do. We broke down the defense. Then we broke down the offense. We proceeded to dissect the matchups for this Saturday’s Cy-Hawk showdown vs. our friends from the east.

It was this final moment from our conversation that as a new father meant so much to me.

“You’ve got to be so proud of your son,” I said.

With a beaming grin on his face, Mr. Peters responded and said, “You have no idea how proud I am of my boy.”

Wins are great. Losses suck. But the one thing I wish more fans could see is the human element of these Iowa State teams that we all love so much. 

I don’t know why it hit me like it did, but seeing the pride that Mr. Peters took in his boy absolutely made my week.

JUCO corner? Yes please

I love 6-foot-2 cornerbacks. I especially love 6-foot-2 cornerbacks who come from the same junior college as Demond Tucker and Jordan Harris.

Ronald Walker is the guy I’m talking about today. He reportedly has offers from Arizona State, Louisville, Illinois, the Cyclones and a handful of others and will be officially visiting Iowa State this weekend.

Sam Richardson (the corner) is due to graduate and this kid looks the part to be a guy who could come right in and be this year’s Jomal Wiltz – a guy to be a big part of a three-cornerback rotation. 

In addition to Walker, a couple of high school kids named Kendric Grady (safety) and Lawrence White (ATH) will be in town too, along with a slew of in-state 2017 unofficial visitors.

Is TCU in trouble? 

It’s a good thing that Gary Patterson is arguably the best defensive coach in America because TCU just lost another linebacker. 

Freshman Mike Freeze is taking a leave of absence from the team, according to Patterson on Wednesday. This comes a week after TCU lost Sammy Douglas in a season opening win over Minnesota. It sounds like sack-man James McFarland is out for the year too.

TCU is still a top 15 team. Led by Trevon Boykin, the offense will be on of America’s elite. But will this defense have the depth to stop a team like Baylor?

I have my doubts.