RECRUITING: Cyclones land three-star Texas defensive end

Iowa State has added another defensive lineman to its 2021 recruiting class.

On Tuesday, Haslet, Texas weak-side defensive end Jayden Gray tweeted his commitment to Matt Campbell’s program. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound three-star recruit was previously committed to North Texas.

Gray is considered the No. 64 weak-side defensive end in the country by 247. He also held offers from Northwestern, Virginia Tech, Army, Yale, Penn and a host of other FBS college football programs.

This is Iowa State’s 17th commitment in the 2021 recruiting cycle and the fourth defensive lineman to join the class, which also includes Kansas City defensive tackle Howard Brown, Texas defensive tackle Tyler Onyedim and in-state legacy defensive end Joey Petersen.

The commitment should bump Iowa State’s class to right outside the top-40 nationally. It is currently considered the No. 5 class in the Big 12.

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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