(This article originally appeared at iowastate.rivals.com.)
Iowa State is running third behind Central Michigan and Arizona State in the quest to obtain the commitment of a standout Hollywood (Fla.) outside linebacker.
Alex Pattee, a versatile, 6-foot-1, 209-pound OLB from Hollywood Hills High School, lists Ames as one of three places on which he'll definitely spend an official visit. While Pattee says ISU is just outside his top two at the moment, he likes what he sees from the Cyclone coaching staff.
"Coach (Tony) Petersen has been telling me all along that I'm going to be a good fit for their system," Pattee said Thursday. "Last week he texted me with an offer and said they were ready to play ball."
One draw Ames may present for Pattee is the level of Big 12 competition.
"I just love competing against the best."
However, don't expect any offer to sweep Pattee off his feet any time soon.
"I'm going to take my time and really feel this out," said the flexible Pattee, who has played stand-up defensive end in high school and will be used more as a linebacker this coming fall. "I'm going to get all my visits under my belt and really take my time."
According to Pattee, offers from Wisconsin, Wake Forest and West Virginia could be close at hand. He previously claimed offers from Colorado and Air Force along with I-AA programs Eastern Kentucky and Florida A&M.
Pattee recorded over 60 tackles last fall and also rang up eight quarterback sacks.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Friday, June 22, 2007
ISU Offers Smith Chance at RB
(This article originally appeared at iowastate.rivals.com.)
When Iowa State's coaching staff says it's recruiting Erik Smith as a running back, it's what he wants to hear from every school that is seeking his services in the Class of '08.
Smith, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound prep star from Bolingbrook (Ill.), says the Cyclones are one of the few schools making no bones about their desire to have him play running back, and only running back.
"Some schools say they're going to try me at cornerback, which is fine," said Smith. "But my heart is really at running back, and I really like that Iowa State is telling me that's where they want me."
According to Smith, it isn't what the Cyclone coaching staff says but how the recruiting team, led by Tony Petersen, says it.
"They just all seem real genuine. Everyone there, Coach Petersen, everyone, they just really seem like genuine people. They send me text messages every day, they ask me all the time how I'm doing. Not everybody does that."
Smith, who boasts offers from Boston College, Cincinnati, Wisconsin, Wyoming and Akron, along with a recently added one from Northern Illinois, admits that a decision is probably a long way off. Smith claims he will likely wait until signing day, but don't expect him to spend the next eight months idly waiting for offers.
"I already went to the Cincinnati camp," Smith said Friday. "I've got to get to Wisconsin before the end of the month, and Iowa State before the coaches go on vacation in July. I've also got to get to Boston to see Boston College. Yeah, I'm going to visit as many schools as possible."
When Iowa State's coaching staff says it's recruiting Erik Smith as a running back, it's what he wants to hear from every school that is seeking his services in the Class of '08.
Smith, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound prep star from Bolingbrook (Ill.), says the Cyclones are one of the few schools making no bones about their desire to have him play running back, and only running back.
"Some schools say they're going to try me at cornerback, which is fine," said Smith. "But my heart is really at running back, and I really like that Iowa State is telling me that's where they want me."
According to Smith, it isn't what the Cyclone coaching staff says but how the recruiting team, led by Tony Petersen, says it.
"They just all seem real genuine. Everyone there, Coach Petersen, everyone, they just really seem like genuine people. They send me text messages every day, they ask me all the time how I'm doing. Not everybody does that."
Smith, who boasts offers from Boston College, Cincinnati, Wisconsin, Wyoming and Akron, along with a recently added one from Northern Illinois, admits that a decision is probably a long way off. Smith claims he will likely wait until signing day, but don't expect him to spend the next eight months idly waiting for offers.
"I already went to the Cincinnati camp," Smith said Friday. "I've got to get to Wisconsin before the end of the month, and Iowa State before the coaches go on vacation in July. I've also got to get to Boston to see Boston College. Yeah, I'm going to visit as many schools as possible."
ISU Goes Back to Garland for CB
(This article originally appeared at iowastate.rivals.com.)
A coveted Garland (Tex.) cornerback is hearing the praises of Iowa State on a regular basis as sung by a member of the extended Cyclone family.
Jarrett Ben, a 5-foot-10, 160-pound corner, shares a barbershop with the father of fellow Garland products DeAndre Jackson (played at ISU, 2003-06) and Devin McDowell (redshirt freshman at ISU) and says he likes what he's heard about Ames.
"Yeah, I go to a barbershop with their daddy," Ben said. "He tells me how nice Iowa State is up there, and how good the Big 12 is."
Ben currently lists Iowa State in his top five schools, along with Kansas State, Rice, Iowa and TCU. Ben says TCU is running slightly ahead of the pack, but insists "there's still a long way to go." Doggedly pursuing the Horned Frogs is Iowa State with assistant coach Scott Fountain on the point.
"Coach Fountain up at Iowa State, I like that guy," said Ben. "He really tries to keep in touch every day, and I like that."
For the time being, Ben and Fountain may have to communicate from afar. In the midst of a busy summer track schedule that includes trips to the west coast, Ben says he'll be hard-pressed to visit many schools before his senior year. Therefore, a decision on his commitment likely won't be forthcoming until close to signing day. But that's just fine with Ben.
"I really want to take my time and evaluate everyone and everything," said Ben, a 4x100 specialist for the Garland track squad. "But I'm getting offers from Duke and Rice, so I know my academics are in order. Its just wait and see."
Ben also holds an offer from North Texas.
A coveted Garland (Tex.) cornerback is hearing the praises of Iowa State on a regular basis as sung by a member of the extended Cyclone family.
Jarrett Ben, a 5-foot-10, 160-pound corner, shares a barbershop with the father of fellow Garland products DeAndre Jackson (played at ISU, 2003-06) and Devin McDowell (redshirt freshman at ISU) and says he likes what he's heard about Ames.
"Yeah, I go to a barbershop with their daddy," Ben said. "He tells me how nice Iowa State is up there, and how good the Big 12 is."
Ben currently lists Iowa State in his top five schools, along with Kansas State, Rice, Iowa and TCU. Ben says TCU is running slightly ahead of the pack, but insists "there's still a long way to go." Doggedly pursuing the Horned Frogs is Iowa State with assistant coach Scott Fountain on the point.
"Coach Fountain up at Iowa State, I like that guy," said Ben. "He really tries to keep in touch every day, and I like that."
For the time being, Ben and Fountain may have to communicate from afar. In the midst of a busy summer track schedule that includes trips to the west coast, Ben says he'll be hard-pressed to visit many schools before his senior year. Therefore, a decision on his commitment likely won't be forthcoming until close to signing day. But that's just fine with Ben.
"I really want to take my time and evaluate everyone and everything," said Ben, a 4x100 specialist for the Garland track squad. "But I'm getting offers from Duke and Rice, so I know my academics are in order. Its just wait and see."
Ben also holds an offer from North Texas.
Friday, June 08, 2007
Biere Hopes to Move Ahead with ISU
(This article originally appeared at iowastate.rivals.com.)
Iowa State may be about to officially enter the race for a nearby tight end whose recruiting stock is on the rise.
Tim Biere, a 6-foot-4, 235-pound TE from Omaha (Neb.) Westside visited Ames in March, and Cyclone coach Wayne Bolt's demeanor left an impression on the senior-to-be.
"He's a great guy," Biere said. "He's really funny and laid back, and he likes to talk a lot."
According to Biere, Bolt said that the Cyclones have a real need for tight end in the 2008 class and the Westside product's skills would be exactly what the team is looking for.
While the Cyclones have yet to offer, all indications point to an impending scholarship tender, which could extend the Cyclones long history of success recruiting the Omaha area.
If Iowa State is going to land Biere's services, they may need to move quickly. Biere has already received offers from Kansas, Kansas State, Colorado State and Ohio, and hopes to make a final decision before the first game of his senior year.
Additionally, the Cyclones aren't the only major conference program seemingly on the cusp of extending an official offer. Iowa, Northwestern and nearby Nebraska have all made steady contact with Biere, and he has visited campus in both Iowa City and Evanston.
Biere, who carries a 3.66 cumulative GPA, will attend the upcoming Iowa State camp in his second unofficial visit to Ames.
Iowa State may be about to officially enter the race for a nearby tight end whose recruiting stock is on the rise.
Tim Biere, a 6-foot-4, 235-pound TE from Omaha (Neb.) Westside visited Ames in March, and Cyclone coach Wayne Bolt's demeanor left an impression on the senior-to-be.
"He's a great guy," Biere said. "He's really funny and laid back, and he likes to talk a lot."
According to Biere, Bolt said that the Cyclones have a real need for tight end in the 2008 class and the Westside product's skills would be exactly what the team is looking for.
While the Cyclones have yet to offer, all indications point to an impending scholarship tender, which could extend the Cyclones long history of success recruiting the Omaha area.
If Iowa State is going to land Biere's services, they may need to move quickly. Biere has already received offers from Kansas, Kansas State, Colorado State and Ohio, and hopes to make a final decision before the first game of his senior year.
Additionally, the Cyclones aren't the only major conference program seemingly on the cusp of extending an official offer. Iowa, Northwestern and nearby Nebraska have all made steady contact with Biere, and he has visited campus in both Iowa City and Evanston.
Biere, who carries a 3.66 cumulative GPA, will attend the upcoming Iowa State camp in his second unofficial visit to Ames.
Friday, June 01, 2007
Iowa St. a Favorite for Receiver Finney
(This article originally appeared at iowastate.rivals.com.)
Gene Chizik has Iowa State a nose ahead of the pack in the derby to earn the services of an Illinois wide receiver. Kevin Finney from Lake Forest (Ill.) is drawing interest from a host of upper midwest schools, including Iowa State, Indiana, Miami Univ., Purdue, Illinois and Michigan State. According to Finney, Iowa State is a co-leader along with Miami but the race is far from over.
"They've got all new coaches, and they're going to come out and compete in the Big 12, and that's real enticing to me," Finney said. "The level of the schools they play, and the tradition of both them and their opponents is a big turn on."
The Chicagoland prospect visited Iowa State over VEISHA weekend, and was impressed, not just by Chizik's Cyclones, but with the town of Ames.
"It was a good weekend, there was a big parade that thousands of people were at," said Finney. "The town really supports the team. Coach Chizik rode down the street in the parade, and it was just awesome."
"I've always seen myself kind of wanting a smaller, quieter town, and the whole place seemed really homey. I like that."
One decision that could impact Finney's recruitment is exactly how the Cyclones plan to use his talents. The 6-foot-7, 200 pound WR thinks his greatest potential for growth may be at TE. Miami is the only school to explicitly tell Finney that he may see time at that position, although the fact that his point of contact on the ISU coaching staff has been TE Coach Scott Fountain may indicate the Cyclones have a similar desire.
Another factor that may enter the equation is Finney's lifelong allegiance to Michigan State. While he says he "doesn't so much bleed green and white anymore", both parents are MSU alums and a sister currently attends school in East Lansing. He will visit sometime later this summer.
Finney says he'll attend several camps this summer, including those at Michigan, Miami, Ball State, Illinois and Purdue.
Gene Chizik has Iowa State a nose ahead of the pack in the derby to earn the services of an Illinois wide receiver. Kevin Finney from Lake Forest (Ill.) is drawing interest from a host of upper midwest schools, including Iowa State, Indiana, Miami Univ., Purdue, Illinois and Michigan State. According to Finney, Iowa State is a co-leader along with Miami but the race is far from over.
"They've got all new coaches, and they're going to come out and compete in the Big 12, and that's real enticing to me," Finney said. "The level of the schools they play, and the tradition of both them and their opponents is a big turn on."
The Chicagoland prospect visited Iowa State over VEISHA weekend, and was impressed, not just by Chizik's Cyclones, but with the town of Ames.
"It was a good weekend, there was a big parade that thousands of people were at," said Finney. "The town really supports the team. Coach Chizik rode down the street in the parade, and it was just awesome."
"I've always seen myself kind of wanting a smaller, quieter town, and the whole place seemed really homey. I like that."
One decision that could impact Finney's recruitment is exactly how the Cyclones plan to use his talents. The 6-foot-7, 200 pound WR thinks his greatest potential for growth may be at TE. Miami is the only school to explicitly tell Finney that he may see time at that position, although the fact that his point of contact on the ISU coaching staff has been TE Coach Scott Fountain may indicate the Cyclones have a similar desire.
Another factor that may enter the equation is Finney's lifelong allegiance to Michigan State. While he says he "doesn't so much bleed green and white anymore", both parents are MSU alums and a sister currently attends school in East Lansing. He will visit sometime later this summer.
Finney says he'll attend several camps this summer, including those at Michigan, Miami, Ball State, Illinois and Purdue.
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