Football

RECRUITING: JUCO OT commits to Iowa State

Iowa State’s 2022 recruiting class added another big piece on Monday when JUCO offensive tackle James Neal announced his commitment to Matt Campbell’s program.

The 6-foot-7, 300-pound Independence CC product is considered the No. 7 JUCO offensive tackle in the country and No. 57 JUCO player overall by 247Sports. Neal, who visited Iowa State this past weekend, chose the Cyclones over offers from Florida Atlantic, Georgia Tech, UMass, North Alabama and Towson.

Neal is the first JUCO player to join Iowa State’s class and just the second offensive lineman, joining Minnesota three-star Deylin Hasert. The Cyclones now have 19 commitments ahead of Wednesday’s opening of the early signing period.

The class is considered the No. 27 class in the country and No. 4 class in the Big 12 by the 247Composite.

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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