Alright guys! One of my favorite days of the year is coming up: SIGNING DAY!
Here's a little information on the guys currently committed as of Sunday evening. I have included some information and analysis so you guys can understand "who" we are getting instead of random names that you will here about in camp in a year or two. I am releasing the offense tonight and the defense and SP tomorrow. Please note: We may see some commitment flips, guys holding on signing or other weird stuff happening between Wednesday and Friday. I don't see any likely, but who knows.
If there is any other information you would like me to provide for the recruits (40 times, where they are from, their best offers, etc.), I would be glad to. Just comment below and I'll provide it.
QUARTER BACK
Name: Aidan Bouman
Height & Weight: 6'-5.5" 200lbs
Star Rating: 4 star on ESPN, 3 star on Rivals and 247
Play Style: Pocket Passer
Player Comparison: Joe Flacco
Early Enrollee: Yes
When He Could See Significant Playing Time: RS So
Strengths: Arm Strength, Pocker Presence, Vision
Areas of Improvement: Scramble Ability, Speed/Strength
Verdict: It seems like Aidan doesn't get as much attention as the guy below on the list, but I think we are getting a solid player with Bouman. You can tell that his father/coach is an NFL QB; he just looks like a NFL QB when he plays. He'll need to work on tuning up his accuracy, but it's not an issue as of now.
Name: Hunter Dekkers
Height & Weight: 6'-2.5" 225 lbs
Star Rating: 4 star
Play Style: Dual Threat Bulldozer
Player Comparison: Tim Tebow
Early Enrollee: No
When He Could See Significant Playing Time: RS So
Strengths: Arm Strength, Scramble Ability, Strength/Speed, Leadership
Areas of Improvement: Accuracy
Verdict: Dude is a gamer. Out of the player comps, I think this is the closest. Both left handed. Both the same size. Both will plow you over. Both will control the game. Dekkers has an absolute CANNON for an arm (go look up some twitter videos, they are nuts). He will need to work on his accuracy, but I think the college coaches will do wonders for his accuracy that 1A ball couldn't teach him. Mark my words, if he wins the job after Purdy goes pro, he will be a legend quickly. If he doesn't win the job. I see him moving to tight end.
RUNNING BACK
None committed. If we have attrition this offseason, I can see the staff going after a HS guy and/or a transfer. If no attrition, I doubt they go after a HS guy.
WIDE RECEIVER
Name: Aidan Bitter
Height & Weight: 6'-3" 175 lbs
Star Rating: 3 Star
Play Style: Possesion
Player Comparison: Keenan Allen
Early Enrollee: No
When He Could See Significant Playing Time: RS JR
Strengths: Route Running, Catching, Height
Areas of Improvement: Off the line quickness, Run after catch ability
Verdict: Another unsung hero of the class. He's not flashy, in fact, he's the opposite of Hakeem Butler. He's not going to outrun speedy DBs and probably won't have those crazy jukes and moves after the catch. He will be WIDE open a lot though. He has some of the best routes I've seen in an Iowa State recruit in a while.
Name: Xavier Hutchinson (JUCO)
Height & Weight: 6'-3" 190 lbs
Star Rating: 3 star
Play Style: Deep Threat
Player Comparison: Darren Wilson (ISU)
Early Enrollee: Yes
When He Could See Significant Playing Time: RS Jr or Jr year
Strengths: Speed, Height, Hands
Areas of Improvement: Separation
Verdict: Xavier is a clone of Darren Wilson. VERY fast and a tall receiver who will stretch the field. He has difficulty separating from corner backs, but that could be attributed to his JUCO having him frequently running go-routes. This guy is gonna be a beast.
Name: Daniel Jackson
Height & Weight: 6'-1" 209 lbs
Star Rating: 3 star
Play Style: Physical X
Player Comparison: Dez Bryant
Early Enrollee: No
When He Could See Significant Playing Time: RS SO
Strengths: Run After Catch, Physicality, Clutch
Areas of Improvement:Separation in routes
Verdict: It's obvious why USC wanted him. He's a physical receiver that will win contest passer and truck/stiff arm players in the open field. He looks to make a great pro prospect in the future
TIGHT ENDS
None. Unknown if staff is recruiting for this class.
OFFENSIVE LINE
(I am not going to give my verdict or player comps because I stink at evaluating O-Line)
Name: Tyler Miller
Height & Weight: 6'-9" 285 lbs
Star Rating: 3 star
Play Style: Balanced Run/Pass
Early Enrollee: Yes
When He Could See Significant Playing Time: RS So
Strengths: Size, Pass Protection
Areas of Improvement: Hips
Projected Position: LT (RT for Dekkers and Bouman)
Name: Hayden Pauls
Height & Weight: 6'-4"270 lbs
Star Rating: 3 star
Play Style: Balanced Pass/Run
Early Enrollee: yes
When He Could See Significant Playing Time: RS So
Strengths:Technique, Hips
Areas of Improvement: Strength, weight
Projected Position: RG
Name: Sam Rengert
Height & Weight: 6'-7" 290 lbs
Star Rating: 3 star
Play Style: Big Mauler
Early Enrollee: No
When He Could See Significant Playing Time: RS So
Strengths: MEAN DUDE, Pancakes
Areas of Improvement: Pass Pro
Projected Position: RT (Left for Dekkers and Bouman)
Name: Brady Petersen
Height & Weight: 6'-5" 275 lbs
Star Rating: 3 star
Play Style: Run Heavy
Early Enrollee: No
When He Could See Significant Playing Time: RS Jr
Strengths: Run Blocking, Technique
Areas of Improvement: Hips
Projected Position: LG
Here's a little information on the guys currently committed as of Sunday evening. I have included some information and analysis so you guys can understand "who" we are getting instead of random names that you will here about in camp in a year or two. I am releasing the offense tonight and the defense and SP tomorrow. Please note: We may see some commitment flips, guys holding on signing or other weird stuff happening between Wednesday and Friday. I don't see any likely, but who knows.
If there is any other information you would like me to provide for the recruits (40 times, where they are from, their best offers, etc.), I would be glad to. Just comment below and I'll provide it.
QUARTER BACK
Name: Aidan Bouman
Height & Weight: 6'-5.5" 200lbs
Star Rating: 4 star on ESPN, 3 star on Rivals and 247
Play Style: Pocket Passer
Player Comparison: Joe Flacco
Early Enrollee: Yes
When He Could See Significant Playing Time: RS So
Strengths: Arm Strength, Pocker Presence, Vision
Areas of Improvement: Scramble Ability, Speed/Strength
Verdict: It seems like Aidan doesn't get as much attention as the guy below on the list, but I think we are getting a solid player with Bouman. You can tell that his father/coach is an NFL QB; he just looks like a NFL QB when he plays. He'll need to work on tuning up his accuracy, but it's not an issue as of now.
Name: Hunter Dekkers
Height & Weight: 6'-2.5" 225 lbs
Star Rating: 4 star
Play Style: Dual Threat Bulldozer
Player Comparison: Tim Tebow
Early Enrollee: No
When He Could See Significant Playing Time: RS So
Strengths: Arm Strength, Scramble Ability, Strength/Speed, Leadership
Areas of Improvement: Accuracy
Verdict: Dude is a gamer. Out of the player comps, I think this is the closest. Both left handed. Both the same size. Both will plow you over. Both will control the game. Dekkers has an absolute CANNON for an arm (go look up some twitter videos, they are nuts). He will need to work on his accuracy, but I think the college coaches will do wonders for his accuracy that 1A ball couldn't teach him. Mark my words, if he wins the job after Purdy goes pro, he will be a legend quickly. If he doesn't win the job. I see him moving to tight end.
RUNNING BACK
None committed. If we have attrition this offseason, I can see the staff going after a HS guy and/or a transfer. If no attrition, I doubt they go after a HS guy.
WIDE RECEIVER
Name: Aidan Bitter
Height & Weight: 6'-3" 175 lbs
Star Rating: 3 Star
Play Style: Possesion
Player Comparison: Keenan Allen
Early Enrollee: No
When He Could See Significant Playing Time: RS JR
Strengths: Route Running, Catching, Height
Areas of Improvement: Off the line quickness, Run after catch ability
Verdict: Another unsung hero of the class. He's not flashy, in fact, he's the opposite of Hakeem Butler. He's not going to outrun speedy DBs and probably won't have those crazy jukes and moves after the catch. He will be WIDE open a lot though. He has some of the best routes I've seen in an Iowa State recruit in a while.
Name: Xavier Hutchinson (JUCO)
Height & Weight: 6'-3" 190 lbs
Star Rating: 3 star
Play Style: Deep Threat
Player Comparison: Darren Wilson (ISU)
Early Enrollee: Yes
When He Could See Significant Playing Time: RS Jr or Jr year
Strengths: Speed, Height, Hands
Areas of Improvement: Separation
Verdict: Xavier is a clone of Darren Wilson. VERY fast and a tall receiver who will stretch the field. He has difficulty separating from corner backs, but that could be attributed to his JUCO having him frequently running go-routes. This guy is gonna be a beast.
Name: Daniel Jackson
Height & Weight: 6'-1" 209 lbs
Star Rating: 3 star
Play Style: Physical X
Player Comparison: Dez Bryant
Early Enrollee: No
When He Could See Significant Playing Time: RS SO
Strengths: Run After Catch, Physicality, Clutch
Areas of Improvement:Separation in routes
Verdict: It's obvious why USC wanted him. He's a physical receiver that will win contest passer and truck/stiff arm players in the open field. He looks to make a great pro prospect in the future
TIGHT ENDS
None. Unknown if staff is recruiting for this class.
OFFENSIVE LINE
(I am not going to give my verdict or player comps because I stink at evaluating O-Line)
Name: Tyler Miller
Height & Weight: 6'-9" 285 lbs
Star Rating: 3 star
Play Style: Balanced Run/Pass
Early Enrollee: Yes
When He Could See Significant Playing Time: RS So
Strengths: Size, Pass Protection
Areas of Improvement: Hips
Projected Position: LT (RT for Dekkers and Bouman)
Name: Hayden Pauls
Height & Weight: 6'-4"270 lbs
Star Rating: 3 star
Play Style: Balanced Pass/Run
Early Enrollee: yes
When He Could See Significant Playing Time: RS So
Strengths:Technique, Hips
Areas of Improvement: Strength, weight
Projected Position: RG
Name: Sam Rengert
Height & Weight: 6'-7" 290 lbs
Star Rating: 3 star
Play Style: Big Mauler
Early Enrollee: No
When He Could See Significant Playing Time: RS So
Strengths: MEAN DUDE, Pancakes
Areas of Improvement: Pass Pro
Projected Position: RT (Left for Dekkers and Bouman)
Name: Brady Petersen
Height & Weight: 6'-5" 275 lbs
Star Rating: 3 star
Play Style: Run Heavy
Early Enrollee: No
When He Could See Significant Playing Time: RS Jr
Strengths: Run Blocking, Technique
Areas of Improvement: Hips
Projected Position: LG
