Football

RECRUITING: Iowa State set to host trio of official visitors this weekend

The month of January for Iowa State football recruiting is not near the level of craziness of past years following the early signing period, but the Cyclones do still have several spots to fill in their 2018 class.

That process really ramps up this weekend when the program will host a trio of recruits for official visits. With 20 targets already committed to Iowa State’s class, and 18 of them officially signed with the program, there is only a handful of spots left up for grabs with a few weeks to go before national signing day on Feb. 7.

Here is a look at the three prospects Cyclone Fanatic has confirmed will take official visits to Ames this weekend.

Brock Purdy, Quarterback, Perry, Ariz.

Iowa State already added on highly-sought signal-caller in the 2018 class in Re-al Mitchell, but you can never have enough depth in your quarterback room. Purdy, a 6-foot-1, 197-pounder, is considered the No. 57 pro-style quarterback in the country by 247Composite and a three-star prospect.

He has seen his profile on the recruiting trail increase dramatically since throwing for 4,405 yards and 57 touchdowns during his senior campaign while adding 1,017 yards and nine scores on the ground. Purdy’s rise on the trail is best personified by a scholarship offer extended by Alabama earlier this week, joining the Cyclones, Boise State, Central Florida and a few others.

Purdy will visit Ames this weekend then is expected to take an official visit to Tuscaloosa and the defending national champions next weekend.

Tayvonn Kyle, Wide Reciever, Valdosta, Ga.

Iowa State recently joined the pursuit of this 6-foot, 195-pound three-star pass catcher when it extended a scholarship offer on Jan. 11. The No. 127 athlete in the class and three-star prospect also holds offers from Illinois, Georgia State, Purdue, Indiana, Maryland and a host of other FBS programs.

He is currently scheduled to visit Georgia State next weekend after his visit to Ames.

Iowa State’s plan with the wide receiver spot seems to be up in the air at this point with a number of targets on the board, but the Cyclones would certainly like to add at least one more piece to its talented receiver class that already includes Texas prospect Carson Schleker and Oklahoma product Sean Shaw, Jr.

Justin Birdsong, Defensive Back, Stone Mountain, Ga.

Iowa State already has three talented high school cornerbacks in its 2018 class, but adding one more defensive back will be one of the staff’s priorities in January. Birdsong, who is the No. 107 cornerback in the country, is the first man up in that pursuit.

The 5-foot-11, 175-pound prospect was originally committed to Appalachian State and also holds offers from Kansas, Kansas State, Illinois, Minnesota and quite a few other FBS programs.

Stay tuned to Cyclone Fanatic throughout the day Friday and through the weekend if there are any additions to Iowa State’s official visitor list for this weekend.

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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