Class of 2025 Breakdown

[cyclone4L]

Bout that time of year again...
The vibes are high. Iowa State is undefeated. Let the good times roll, and this thread will tell us if they will.
I will add transfer profiles as well.
Let me know what you think, or what you would like to see.

Thread is a work in progress

Player Profile	Position	Projected Freshman EACFB Rating	Future EACFB Rating Potential
Ryver Peppers	RB	68	91
Dyllan Malone	WR	66	87
Will Tompkins	OT	73	95
Trey Verdon	Edge	71	94
Charlie Woleben	DL	67	89
Mason Ellens	S/Ret	69	91

 

[cyclone4L]

Name: Trey Verdon
Position: Edge
Size: 6'2" 225lb
Other Measurables:
EA CFB Freshman: 71
EA CFB Potential: 94
Player Comparison: Robert Mathis
Significant Impact: RS Fr on 3rd and Long and other obvious passing situations.
Areas of Improvement: Needs to get up to 250lb to be a major contributor. The added size and strength will help with his growth in rush defense.
Thoughts: When Trey committed, the general reaction from the fanbase was "Wow, Malik Verdon's brother committed! Wait, he's a pass rusher? That's neat." It is an understandable reaction. His commitment did not with as much pomp and circumstance as other guys (Likely because his commitment mid conference basketball season, the day of the Texas game).

I liked the commitment at the time, but as his senior season progressed, so did my excitement. He is a pass rush specialist; one that we haven't had since Will McDonald. He is extremely quick off the ball and incredibly difficult for a tackle to get to. He is the king of the strip sack; nearly every sack he gets, the QB fumbles.

For the NFL fans, think of Colts great Robert Mathis. Robert Mathis was a smaller Edge/LB who specialized in getting to the quarterback and stripping the ball. He will likely be voted into the Pro Football HOF for it.

If Trey can gain 20lbs this off season, I think we could see him in a couple games next year. He will likely be a pass rush specialist by Year 2. He is a very intriguing prospect and the type of guy that our team lacks currently.

He is a 4 star prospect in my book.

 

[cyclone4L]

Name: Dyllan Malone
Position: Wide Receiver
Size: 6'3" 175lb
Other Measurables:
EA CFB Freshman: 66
EA CFB Potential: 87
Player Comparison: Jauan Jennings
Significant Impact: RS So. He will contribute as a good 3rd receiver option.
Areas of Improvement: Needs to build on his speed.
Thoughts: If you fell in love with big-bodied jump-ball specialists like Hakeem Butler and LaMichael Pettway, you probably won't be too thrilled by Noah Pauley's recruiting strategy. Pauley's main focus for his WR targets is the ability to create separation through routes and speed, not through being the bigger guys. Rightfully so, the NFL and college has really shifted to this style being the prototype.

Dyllan Malone is a guy that fits the billing for the type of targets that Pauley likes. His routes are fluid and adequate for a good receiver prospect. Solid hands and body control. He has very good run after the catch ability.

The main area that he will need to work on is his speed. It is good for the type of timing routes that guys like Carson Brown and Eli Green run, but he will need to get faster to really impact the game down field.

Think of a guy like Jauan Jennings. He is a really good piece for the 49ers as their second or third WR option since his routes are exceptional and he has great hands. He has carved a very valuable niche for himself in that offense. I think this is where Dyllan can REALLY excel. He could even become a fan favorite at that, similar to what Carson Brown has been doing.

If Dyllan can improve his speed, look out. This is a totally different conversation. He has the frame, body control, routes and hands to be one of the top receivers in the league. With speed, we're looking at another guy like Jayden Higgins.

Note: This guy was a late find as well... committed to NIU. Usually, the guys we offer late are guys that this staff feels like they can't pass up on. He may be a future superstar.

 

[cyclone4L]

Name: Ryver Peppers
Position: Running Back
Size: 5'11" 190lb
Other Measurables:
EA CFB Freshman: 68
EA CFB Potential: 91
Player Comparison: Tyrone Tracy
Significant Impact: RS So. A lot of depth ahead of him.
Areas of Improvement: Needs to get to 205-210lb and increase strength.
Thoughts: I have said it a billion and one times, I do not care about a running backs highlight tape if the prospect (the fastest guy on the field) is running a sweep and just outruns every one. Frankly, that tells me nothing. It is why I loved Carson Hansen's tape coming out, even though there were many doubters (including the school in his state).

Ryver Peppers is a great all purpose back. He is comfortable in running it between the tackles as well as bouncing it to the outside. He is not much of a juker; he is more of a one cut back. He is adequate at catching the ball.

The most impressive part of his game is his burst through the hole. Breece Hall had it. Carson Hansen has it. When the defenders are still trying to understand the play and calculate their trajectory, Peppers is at full speed. This is a special quality to have in a back; it's an automatic 3-4 yard gain, HUGE of first down plays.

I am very curious to see how he transforms in the weight room. Obviously, its a crucial aspect for every prospect that steps on campus, but in Peppers case, it will go A LONG way to defining what type of player he is. If he keeps his speed and burst at 215lb... watch out.

 

[cyclone4L]

Name: Will Tompkins
Position: Tackle
Size: 6'5" 290lb
Other Measurables: 4.25s Pro Shuttle... Unless you are a crazy combine nut, you have no idea what that means. It is a test of agility and footwork... Will would have been the #1 OL performer at the NFL combine last year.
EA CFB Freshman: 73
EA CFB Potential: 95
Player Comparison: Joe Alt
Significant Impact: RS Fr. He'll be in one of the five spots.
Areas of Improvement: Needs to get to 300lb
Thoughts: He will probably be my highest rated guy of the class. When we asked Clanton to bring in guys that could change the O-Line into a weapon, we were hoping for a guy like Will Tompkins.

He is a physical specimen with a nasty edge. I'm not the greatest at evaluating O-Line talent, but this guy is different than most of the guys we bring in. Who know who else noticed it? USC, Tennessee, Penn State and Wisconsin. How often does USC come to Iowa to recruit guys? Not often. He was worth a try for them.

It's shocking that this guy is not a four star by the recruiting sites. They whiffed big time here. Biggest recruiting win of the class for the Cyclones.

 

[cyclone4L]

Name: Mason Ellens
Position: Safety/Returner
Size: 6'0" 165lb
Other Measurables: 10.73s 100m
EA CFB Freshman: 69
EA CFB Potential: 91
Player Comparison: Tyrann Mathieu
Significant Impact: RS Fr. He'll get a lot of looks to be the Kick and Punt returner after Noel has graduated
Areas of Improvement: He's a twig; needs an offseason or two to get his body right. Has not played safety long and need to learn how to tackle larger ball carriers.
Thoughts: When I first saw his journey tape, it was obvious to me why the Hawkeyes loved him. He is a special teams all-star. Jeff Woody has a little segment on his "kickin' it" podcast where he discusses hidden yardage. Ellens will widen that gap between Iowa State and their opponent. He is a SPECIAL returner with blazing speed. 10.73s 100m as a Junior is freakishly fast.

He was hurt for a significant portion of his senior year. Upon viewing his tape, it would be difficult to pinpoint what position the Cyclones would want him for. He returns kicks, plays WR, every DB position... basically all over the field. He will be a safety for the Cyclones.

If you're wondering what role he will specifically have, it will likely be the role Jeremiah Cooper plays. Cooper is the smallest of the three safeties and provides a lockdown ability in coverage. This is what Ellens thrives at. He'll never be the biggest safety (200lb may not be achievable for him), but he will make up for it in coverage.

I gave him a comp of Tyrann Mathieu for his ability to return the ball and coverage. Tyrann Mathieu was a guy that LSU could play anywhere and he would excel. I see a lot of those qualities in Ellens.

 

[cyclone4L]

Name: Charlie Woleben
Position: Defensive Line
Size: 6'5" 225lb
Other Measurables: 4.29s shuttle
EA CFB Freshman: 67
EA CFB Potential: 89
Player Comparison: Zach and Joey Petersen
Significant Impact: RS Fr. Can never have enough depth at the DL position.
Areas of Improvement: Needs to work on his bend for pass rush situations. He's a little bit stiff at times. For the way he likes to play, it would help for him to be 270lbs.
Thoughts: Charlie is another one of those recruits whose commitments went under the radar. He committed in April, in the dead period after basketball when most people aren't thinking about college sports. He had a plethora of regional P4 offers, which is a great sign.

As for his game, think about the Petersen brothers. Zach and Joey were not flashy pass rush types. They were most effective at using their strength to clog up run lanes and collapse pockets. This is something that is Woleben's strength and he may even do it better than the Petersens. He is a better pass rusher than the Petersens as well.

I have him as a DL prospect, because I don't see him as a true edge. Edges are more pass rush specialist with lateral quickness to stop runs outside. He will be asked to focus more on the inside and collapse the pocket. Really like him as a prospect. With offers like KU, KSU, Minnesota, Neb, it's a good sign that we found someone very desirable.