Iowa State extended one of its latest scholarship offers to a player who was already committed to another school.
Defensive line coach Eli Rasheed told 2025 Bowling Green commit Dior Garner that the Cyclones would have a scholarship available for him.
“They wanted me to get up for a spring practice, but I couldn’t make it up because it’s a 10-hour drive. I had a good relationship with coach Rasheed and talked on the phone three weeks ago. He was just telling me what he liked and what he wanted to see in my first three games.”
The 6-foot-4, 275-pound prospect had committed to Bowling Green over the summer, but has since gotten offered by both Kansas State in July and now Iowa State during its bye week.
Before committing to Bowling Green, Garner had other FBS offers from Ball State, Buffalo, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Miami (Ohio), Marshall, James Madison, Coastal Carolina, East Carolina, and Temple.
“I really expected other schools to just fall out,” Garner said. “But Kansas State reached out to me and offered me, too. They liked my film… but I was already talking to Iowa State here and there. I hadn’t talked to them since I committed, but coach Rasheed told me that the offer was going to come and that I just had to keep playing.”
Iowa State originally discovered Garner two years ago when defensive coordinator Jon Heacock saw the McKinley High School recruit during a combine, but the offer hadn’t come yet.
“They wanted to get to know me and that they didn’t want to just hand out offers,” Garner said. “He talked to my Mom and really wanted to get to know more about me.
Iowa State wanted to get Garner to campus this spring, but head coach Matt Campbell ended up attending a practice during his team’s bye week.
Coincidentally, Garner and his team were preparing to face Perry High School, where Campbell played his prep ball, that Friday.
“The conversations have been great,” Garner said. “They just wanted me to get to know more about their program and more about what they’re doing. They’re a top 20 team in the country and they’re looking to compete for a Big 12 championship and the playoffs.
Garner said he’s hoping to get on campus following his high school season, once playoffs are wrapped up. His team’s in action every Friday and it’s a 10-hour drive from his hometown to Ames.
This could come down to Iowa State and its biggest Big 12 rival, and may not be a commitment that is settled until well near signing day (Wed. December 4).
“We’ve just been talking about ways that I can fit in the scheme and keep building trust in that relationship,” Garner said. “They want me, when I get there, to be able to come into their rooms when things get hard and still feel comfortable.”
