RECRUITING: Iowa State hosting Washington graduate transfer QB

Sep 16, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback K.J. Carta-Samuels (11) looks to pass against the Fresno State Bulldogs during the third quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Iowa State is hosting Washington graduate transfer quarterback K.J. Carta-Samuels for an official visit this weekend, a source confirmed to Cyclone Fanatic. The news was first reported by 247’s Steve Wiltfong.

Carta-Samuels was rated as a four-star prospect and the No. 12 pro-style quarterback in the country coming out of high school in 2014. The San Jose, Calif. native was considered the No. 221 prospect in the class by 247Composite.

The 6-foot-2, 221-pound signal caller also held offers from Boise State, Arizona, Penn State and Vanderbilt after his career at Bellarmine Prep. He played in 14 games for the Huskies between 2015 and 2017 while backing up 2016 Heisman finalist Jake Browning.

Carta-Samuels completed 28 of his 48 pass attempts for 310 yards and three touchdowns during his Washington career.

Iowa State enters the offseason with two scholarship quarterbacks on the roster in redshirt sophomore Zeb Noland and true freshman Devon Moore, who missed the 2017 season due to an ACL tear suffered in fall camp.

2017 recruit Re-al Mitchell is expected sign with the Cyclones next week then join the program in January while Des Moines, Lincoln quarterback Will McElvain is committed as a preferred walk-0n.

That lack of experience in the quarterback room led to the belief that Iowa State would pursue a graduate transfer or junior college quarterback and with Carta-Samuels on campus, we know the Cyclones’ first target.

Jared Stansbury

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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.

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