Jerrod Black, the 6-foot-2 280-pound defensive tackle from Houston (Tex.) Cypress Falls, told Iowa State Head Coach Gene Chizik this afternoon that he would definitely be a Cyclone next year, cementing a commitment Black made to defensive line coach Mike Pelton earlier in the week.
"It was the first time I'd ever seen snow, and I slipped a few times on the concrete because I couldn't tell I was stepping on ice," Black told CycloneReport.com from his airplane seat just moments after his flight landed in Houston. "But I didn't mind the weather too much, and everyone there was so cool."
In addition to checking out the facilities ("very nice compared to what I've seen") and rooming with a fellow Texan - Cyclone DL Austin Alburtis - Black met twice with Coach Chizik over the weekend.
"He told me his plans for the school, and he told me they don't involve losing," said Black. "So we're going there for the same reasons."
According to Black, he headed to Ames Friday thinking that if the visit went well, he would firm up his commitment upon leaving. And the Cy Falls DT wasted little time in making up his mind, calling Chizik by telephone Sunday before leaving town to tell him he was a solid commitment.
After committing to Pelton early in the week, Black had considered exploring Texas A&M as another option. But after seeing snow for the first time, Black was ready to sign on to Chizik's quickly growing 2007 class.
Black, who logged 121 tackles, eight sacks and 20 tackles for loss on Cy Falls' 5-A state runner-up team this season, said he's been told his strengths are a quickness getting off the ball and an ability to use his hands aggressively and effectively. However, he also said he needs to get faster and improve his footwork before he can be "one of the great defensive tackles in the Big 12."
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