By Chris Williams, CycloneFanatic.com PublisherFollow Chris on Twitter @ChrisMWilliams
Here’s how the commitment process works at Iowa State.
We’ll use Paul Rhoads’ latest commitment in the class of 2013, Lakeland, (Fla.) Lake Gibson running back Tyler Brown, as an example.
On Wednesday afternoon, Brown picked up the phone, dialed Rhoads’ number and told him the big news.
"He was telling me about what it means to commit to Iowa State," Brown told CycloneFanatic.com of his conversation with Rhoads. "He wanted to make sure that I was 100 percent committed and that I wouldn’t back out or visit other colleges."
All in.
That’s what Rhoads preaches to his current players every day in Ames and that’s the tone on the recruiting trail as well.
"He said that he was excited for me to come," said Brown. "I did a lot of research on everything with Iowa State. They showed me the most interest. They were the first ones to offer me. Academics are good there. Iowa State is the best fit for me."
Brown, a speedy 5-foot-10, 180 pound running back chose Iowa State over existing offers from Utah State and Western Kentucky but was receiving interest from South Florida.
"My strength is my speed," said Brown, who rushed for 1,001 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior. "Coach Rhoads told me that he likes how I don’t take plays off in my videos. He likes how I make the most out of every play that I can make."
Iowa State defensive tackles coach Shane Burnham served as Brown’s primary recruiter.
Brown still hasn’t taken a visit to Iowa State. He plans to do so official this fall during an Iowa State home football weekend.
Iowa State’s 2013 recruiting class
Trevor Hodge, QB, Perris, (Calif.) Citrus Hill
Kamari Syrie, DB, Hurst, (Texas) L.D. Bell
Emmanuel Bibbs, TE, Arizona Western C.C.
Jacob Homa, OL, Brookfield, (Wisc.) Central
Alex Leslie, TE, New Braunfels, (Texas)
Tyler Brown, RB, Lakeland, (Fla.) Lake Gibson
