Keontae Jones enters transfer portal

Oct 5, 2019; Ames, IA, USA; TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Jalen Reagor (1) catches a touchdown pass against Iowa State Cyclones defensive back Keontae Jones (16) at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

One of the top high school players from Iowa State’s 2017 recruiting class has entered his name in the NCAA transfer portal.

Redshirt junior safety Keontae Jones will be seeking a new home for his final two years of football at the collegiate level. He leaves Ames having compiled just six tackles in three seasons, including just two stops in 2019.

Jones, who is the younger brother of Deshaunte Jones, one of the most productive receivers in Iowa State history, was considered a three-star recruit in the 2017 class and was the second-highest rated high school recruit behind only O’Rien Vance.

The Cincinnati native chose Iowa State over offers from Indiana, Virginia Tech, Cincinnati and others. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Jones was unlikely to figure much into Iowa State’s defensive secondary plans this season with nearly every major piece returning in 2020 along with the additions of some highly-talented youngsters in recent recruiting cycles.

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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