COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF: Day 8

Oct 1, 2016; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Deshaunte Jones (8) makes a diving catch while defended by Baylor Bears safety Orion Stewart (28) at Jack Trice Stadium. The Bears beat the Cyclones 45-42. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Few true freshmen in recent years have made a bigger impact on Iowa State football than Deshaunte Jones did in 2016.

The Cincinnati native caught 37 passes for 536 yards and six touchdowns during his first season in Ames while earning Honorable Mention All-American honors from Campus Insiders.

All three of those numbers are in the top five of Iowa State’s freshman receiving charts and he was clearly one of, if not the, best freshman pass catchers in the Big 12.

The 5-foot-10, 179-pounder has more proven weapons surrounding him entering his sophomore season, but Jones has already set the stage for what could end up being a special career.

Jared Stansbury

View articles by Jared Stansbury subscriber

Jared a native of Clarinda, Iowa, started as the Cyclone Fanatic intern in August 2013, primarily working as a videographer until starting on the women’s basketball beat prior to the 2014-15 season. Upon earning his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State in May 2016, Jared was hired as the site’s full-time staff writer, taking over as the primary day-to-day reporter on football and men’s basketball. He was elevated to the position of managing editor in January 2020. He is a regular contributor on 1460 KXNO in Des Moines and makes regular guest appearances on radio stations across the Midwest. Jared resides in Ankeny with his four-year-old puggle, Lolo.

Follow @@JaredStansbury