RECRUITING: Iowa State lands Rice grad transfer defensive back

Nov 14, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Southern Miss Golden Eagles wide receiver Casey Martin (83) has his pass broken up by Rice Owls cornerback Justin Bickham (7) in the second quarter at Rice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Iowa State landed a commitment from Rice graduate transfer defensive back Justin Bickham on Sunday. The 6-foot-1, 196-pound Pflugerville, Texas native announced his pledge on his Twitter account.

After a great visit and talks with Coach Campbell, Coach Caponi and Coach McDonald I’m excited to announce my commitment to Iowa State University as a graduate transfer.#CyclONEnation #Proveit 🔴🔸⚫️🌪 pic.twitter.com/VRWpmM9IFt

— JB (@J_Bickham7) April 7, 2019

Bickham recorded 70 tackles, 56 of them solo, in 34 games across three seasons for the Owls. He also added 23 pass breakups, 5.5 tackles for loss, a sack and an interception.

The addition is a welcome one for an Iowa State secondary that lost two of its stalwarts with the graduation of Brian Peavy and D’Andre Payne. The Cyclones return sophomores Datrone Young and Anthony Johnson, both of which played considerable snaps in 2018, but Bickham gives a veteran presence that was lacking in the cornerback room.

He will join a backend of Iowa State’s defense led by reigning Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year Greg Eisworth. Stay tuned to Cyclone Fanatic for more.

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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