Iowa State is set to host nearly 20 high-level prospects from the 2022 and 2023 recruiting classes, including a host of commits in the current cycle plus two 2023 blue-chippers. Here’s who we’ve been able to confirm will be on hand for Saturday’s top-10 Cy-Hawk battle.
2022 Commits
Rocco Becht, Quarterback, Zephyrhills, Fla.
Becht’s star has risen considerably since he committed to Iowa State back in April due to a standout summer on the camp circuit. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Zephyrhills, Fla. native is considered the No. 475 player in the country, 32 quarterback in the class and No. 67 player in Florida. The son of former NFL tight end Anthony Becht chose Iowa State over offers from Ole Miss, Wake Forest and double-digit other FBS programs.
Greg Gaines, Wide Receiver, Tampa, Fla.
The second-highest rated player in Iowa State’s 2022 class, Gaines is considered the No. 338 player in the class, No. 48 wide receiver and No. 42 prospect in Florida. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound four-star pass catcher committed to Iowa State in June over offers from Indiana, Kansas State, Maryland, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Iowa, Kentucky, Miami (FL), Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee, UCF and numerous other FBS schools.
Xavier Townsend, Running Back, Tampa, Fla.
One of two running backs in Iowa State’s 2022 class, Townsend committed to Iowa State in July over offers from Louisville, UCF, Vanderbilt, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Rutgers, Syracuse, Utah, Washington State, West Virginia and a handful of other FBS programs. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Tampa, Fla. native is considered the No. 725 player nationally, No. 63 running back and No. 99 player in Florida.
Andrew Keller, Tight End, Waunakee, Wis.
Back for the second week in a row, Keller, a 6-foot-6, 210-pound three-star, chose the Cyclones over offers from Iowa, Indiana, Michigan State, Texas, Minnesota, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and a handful of other FBS programs. He’s considered the No. 26 tight end in the country and No. 3 player in Wisconsin.
Deylin Hesert, Offensive Tackle, Marshall, Minn.
Another guy who will be back for the second consecutive week, the 6-foot-5, 280-pound three-star was one of the Midwest’s most highly-sought-after offensive linemen when he committed to Iowa State back in June. Hasert chose Iowa State over offers from Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas State and Nebraska. He’s considered the No. 85 offensive tackle and No. 3 player in Minnesota.
Hunter Deyo, Defensive Line, Council Bluffs, Iowa
Deyo, the highest-rated player in Iowa State’s class, is back for the second straight week. Considered the No. 278 player in the country, No. 37 defensive lineman and No. 3 player in Iowa, the 6-foot-3, 270-pound four-star prospect chose Iowa State over offers from Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas State, Wisconsin, Oregon and Arkansas.
Ikenna Ezeogu, Edge Rusher, Blue Springs, Mo.
Ezeogu committed to Iowa State back in July over offers from Arizona State, Illinois, Kansas, Kansas State, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Vanderbilt and Washington State. The 6-foot-6, 220-pound three-star edge rusher is considered the No. 676 player in the class, No. 34 edge rusher and No. 15 player in Missouri.
Carson Willich, Linebacker, Blue Springs, Mo.
Also back for the second time this season, Willich, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound three-star prospect, committed to Iowa State back in April. He’s considered the No. 114 linebacker in the 2022 recruiting cycle and the No. 23 player in Missouri.
Jacob Imming, Linebacker, Sergeant Bluff, Iowa
Another return visitor, Imming is considered the No. 425 player nationally and the No. 4 player in the state of Iowa. The Sergeant Bluff-Luton star became Iowa State’s first commit in the 2022 class back in January.
Will McLaughlin, Linebacker, Harlan, Iowa
The last of Iowa State’s commits returning for a second time, McLaughlin is considered the No. 669 player in the country and No. 6 player in Iowa. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound three-star chose Iowa State over offers from Iowa, Kansas State, Air Force and Buffalo.
Jason Essex, Wide Receiver, Kansas City, Mo.
Iowa State beat out Colorado, Kentucky, Arizona, Arkansas, Baylor, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kansas State, Nebraska and Oklahoma State when the 6-foot-3, 192-pound three-star committed to the Cyclones in July. He’s considered the No. 534 player in the country, No. 70 wide receiver and No. 12 prospect in Missouri.
2023
Alex Mota, Athlete, Marion, Iowa
Considered one of the state’s most dynamic athletes, Mota has thrown for 218 yards and two touchdowns plus 134 yards and a pair of scores on the ground during Marion’s first two games. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound three-star athlete has offers from Iowa State, Iowa, Kansas State, Nebraska and Wisconsin. He’s considered the No. 35 athlete in the 2023 class and No. 3 player in the state of Iowa’s junior class.
Kadyn Proctor, Offensive Tackle, Des Moines, Iowa
The unquestioned biggest football prospect set to be in Ames this weekend, the 6-foot-7, 330-pound Southeast Polk star is considered the No. 5 player in the country, No. 1 offensive tackle and No. 1 player in Iowa for the 2023 cycle. It would almost be easier to list the schools that haven’t offered the five-star prospect, but he cut his list to 12 earlier this week with the Cyclones making the cut alongside Alabama, Iowa, Florida, Texas, Georgia, Notre Dame, LSU, Texas A&M, Ohio State, Clemson and Oklahoma.
Kai Black, Wide Receiver, Urbandale, Iowa
One of the state’s most dynamic pass catchers, Black has tallied eight receptions for 74 yards during Urbandale’s first two games. He’s also thrown a touchdown pass. The 6-foot4, 205-pound three-star is considered the No. 77 wide receiver in the 2023 class and No. 5 player in Iowa. His offer list includes Iowa State, Iowa and Wisconsin.
Jamison Patton, Athlete, Des Moines, Iowa
The Des Moines, Roosevelt standout was in Ames last weekend after leading the Roughriders to a win over Waukee, snapping a 128-game losing streak for the city schools against the suburbs. Patton, who is expected to play defensive back at the collegiate level, is considered the No. 11 player in Iowa’s 2023 class.
Chandavian Bradley, Defensive Line, Platte City, Mo.
Second only to Proctor in hype leading into his visit, Bradley is considered the No. 95 prospect in the 2023 class, No. 17 defensive lineman and No. 3 player in Missouri. The 6-foot-6, 210-pound four-star also has offers from Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Arizona State, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kansas State, Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan State, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Penn State and Wisconsin.
Ben Kueter, Linebacker, Iowa City, Iowa
One of the state’s top junior linebackers, Kueter picked up an Iowa State offer last weekend after visiting for the Northern Iowa game. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound three-star is considered the No. 8 player in Iowa’s 2023 class and also holds an offer from Minnesota.
Grant Chapman, Offensive Tackle, Anoka, Minn.
Iowa State is looking to add one of the best offensive linemen in Minnesota for the second straight class with the 6-foot-6, 280-pound three-star. Considered the No. 2 player in Minnesota’s 2023 class and the No. 36 tackle in the country, Chapman also holds an offer from Kansas State.
Maverick Noonan, Edge Rusher, Omaha, Neb.
Considered the top player in the state of Nebraska for the 2023 cycle, Noonan has an Iowa State offer plus offers from Arizona State, Kansas State, Michigan State, Missouri and Nebraska. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound three-star is regarded as the No. 22 edge rusher in the class.
