RECRUITING: Iowa State lands three-star OT Jacob Bolton

Iowa State added another key piece to its 2017 recruiting class one week before National Signing Day. Three-star offensive tackle Jacob Bolton, a native of Roswell, Ga., tweeted on Wednesday that he has committed to play his college football for the Cyclones.

Iowa State offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Tom Manning was in Georgia on Wednesday to see the 6-foot-6, 305-pound prospect. Rated as the No. 172 offensive tackle in the class by 247Composite, Bolton drew quite a few suitors in recent weeks including Ole Miss, Louisville and  Virginia Tech.

He officially visited Ole Miss last weekend and visited the Cyclones the weekend of December 9-11.

“Just the coaching staff and the great energy the young coaches bring to the program,” Bolton told Cyclone Fanatic about what made him commit. “Definitely the recruiting class this year too.”

Bolton said he’s had an opportunity to create a bond with several other members of Iowa State’s class including offensive lineman Robert Hudson and defensive back Richard Bowens. He also said he’s stayed in touch with freshman offensive lineman Sean Foster, who hosted him on his official visit.

“I think he sees me as a guard,” Bolton said when asked how Manning sees him fitting along the line. “He also sees me as someone who can play any position. I’m just going to go in there expecting to play anything honestly.”

He’s the fifth high school offensive lineman in Iowa State’s 2017 recruiting class and most likely the last one they’ll get before National Signing Day on February 1.

All five offensive linemen are rated as three-star prospects.

Bolton’s commitment gives the Cyclones 22 commits overall in this class. The Cyclones will likely continue to push for Cincinnati safety Keontae Jones, Florida wide receiver Tarique Milton and California athlete Michael Onyemaobi as the recruiting cycle heads down the final stretch.

The Cyclones have also received a commitment from Michigan graduate transfer offensive lineman David Dawson and they’re continuing to recruit USC graduate transfer Khaliel Rodgers.

“I didn’t really know much about them at all before they started recruiting me,” Bolton said. “On my official visit I got to see everything and I fell in love with it.”