Iowa State football has secured its running back for the 2025 recruiting class in Independence, Missouri prospect Ryver Peppers.
The staff made him a priority through his recruitment, and earned his commitment over the weekend despite having two more official visits scheduled with Kansas State and Harvard.
“The visit was great. I think the coaches there are very genuine,” Peppers said. “It felt like I was there number one guy and that they really wanted me there. Honestly it just felt like home every time I visited there.”
Part of Pepper’s decision to commit to Iowa State was also aided by his connection to newly hired running backs coach Tyler Roehl.
Peppers attended a North Dakota State game during his sophomore year of high school, when Roehl was coaching with the Bison.
“I’ve known Coach Roehl for (years),” Peppers said. “We kind of built a relationship and then just got to know everyone on the Iowa State staff, just kind of talking about everything from football, life, anything… He’s a pretty intense guy.”
Iowa State became the second program to offer Peppers in February, joining South Dakota State which had offered the month before.
The commitment from the 5-foot-11 running back came despite having visits scheduled to both Kansas State and Harvard later this month. Those visits have been canceled.
“I was pretty nervous talking to coach Campbell,” Peppers said. “I talked to my family a bit about it. People have told me to go to a place where you’re wanted and I felt like they did.”
Peppers chose the Cyclones over Utah, Kansas State, Northwestern, UNLV, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Army, Navy, North Dakota State, South Dakota State, UNI, Harvard, Princeton and Cornell.
