Houston DE Still Very Interested in ISU

(This article originally appeared at iowastate.rivals.com.)

Just days after helping his team to the Texas Class 5-A octo-finals, Houston (Tex.) Cypress Falls defensive end Stedmann Coleman shared his thoughts on new Iowa State head coach Gene Chizik.

"My coach told me at practice Monday Iowa State hired him (Chizik)," the 6-foot-2, 255-pound Coleman said. "The first thing he said was 'That guy is gonna take that team places, he's gonna take 'em real high.'"

Cypress Falls Coach Kirk Eden's opinion carries a lot of weight with Coleman, who has been advised by Eden to get in touch with Chizik as soon as he settles in Ames.

No major changes have occurred in Coleman's recruitment, who still has offers from Iowa State and Louisiana Tech, and considers the Cyclones and Kansas the two front runners for his services. Despite the regime change taking place in Ames, Coleman already has a high enough opinion of Chizik that he's committed to waiting out the transition before making a decision.

In the meantime, Coleman will stay plenty busy, as Cypress Falls continues its march to the Texas State Championship.

Last weekend, in a second round clash with Stratford, a pair of Coleman's standout plays propelled Cy Falls to a dramatic win. With the score tied at 27, the Cy Falls star DE recovered a Stratford fumble at midfield. Cy Falls scored quickly, taking a 34-27 lead. Stratford answered with a quick touchdown. With just 50 seconds to play, and Cy Falls nursing a one-point lead, Coleman delivered heroics again.

"Coach just called our normal block, and as I was going out there I just told myself 'I'm gonna get this, I'm gonna go get it and win it for the team," Coleman said. "I just came right up the middle, and got my arms up, and knocked it down."

Coleman's blocked extra point, the first of his career, preserved Cypress Falls' 34-33 victory. This Saturday, they collide with Beaumont West Brook, with the winner getting a likely date against superpower Katy in the round of eight.