RECRUITING: Cyclones land commitment from Harlan linebacker

Another of the state’s top class of 2022 prospects will be a Cyclone.

Harlan linebacker Will McLaughlin announced his commitment to Matt Campbell’s program on Saturday, giving Iowa State pledges from each of the state’s top two linebacker prospects in the 2022 cycle.

McLaughlin, 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, is considered the No. 6 player in the state of Iowa and No. 24 inside linebacker in the 2022 recruiting class by 247Composite. The commitment comes over offers from Kansas State, Iowa and other FBS programs.

He’s one spot back in the state rankings of fellow Iowa State commit, Sergeant Bluff-Luton linebacker, Jacob Imming, who is also considered the No. 19 inside linebacker in the nation.

Led by McLaughlin, Harlan boasted one of Class 3A’s best defenses this past season while reaching the state championship game in Cedar Falls. McLaughlin recorded a team-high 70 tackles plus 12.5 tackles for loss and four sacks on his way to earning consensus Class 3A first-team all-state honors as a junior.

This is Iowa State’s second commitment of the weekend, following Blue Springs, Mo. linebacker Carson Willich’s pledge on Friday. It is the fourth commitment overall in the Cyclones’ class, which 247 rates as the No. 41 group of pledges in the country.

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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