Iowa State picked up two more commitments to Jimmy Rogers’ 2026 recruiting class in offensive linemen Benjamin Makelela and defensive linemen Jaden Weaver.
Former Washington State offensive tackle signee is rated as a four-star prospect by 247Sports. His 6-foot-7, 280-pound frame projects well for development as a Big 12 offensive tackle. Iowa State and Washington State were the two programs to offer him in high school, but his recruitment stood out due to his unique background. Makelela is a foreign exchange student originally from Congo and is still relatively new to football.
Iowa State added another late recruiting win by flipping Jaden Weaver away from South Dakota, who had significant Group of Five interest. Weaver committed to South Dakota last month after choosing the Coyotes over several other schools, but Iowa State was able to get him during the late stages of the recruiting process. Prior to his original commitment, Weaver held offers from Ball State, Kent State, Miami (OH), and Western Illinois.
