(This article originally appeared at iowastate.rivals.com.)
A key homegrown prospect in Iowa State's 2007 class still plans to be a Cyclone, but will visit other schools and meet with the Cyclones' new coach before making his final decision.
Will Eilert, a 6-foot-4, 245-pound defensive end from Grinnell, Iowa, will explore possible offers from UNI, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and others, but plans to delay a final decision until speaking with Dan McCarney's successor.
Eilert acknowledged yesterday that although he understood McCarney's reasons for leaving, Coach Mac had been the main reason for his commitment, making his departure very disappointing.
"My initial thought was that it kind of stunk," Eilert said. "I'd already grown really close to him and his staff. But he made me feel like it was the best decision for him, so I can't hold it against him."
According to Eilert, Cyclone assistant Chris Ash called him Wednesday morning with news of McCarney's imminent departure. Ash also told Eilert that "one or two assistants may stay on staff" but the majority were likely to depart with Coach Mac.
Eilert committed to the Cyclones in June 2006, before receiving offers from other schools. However, the absence of other offers was likely due more to his quick decision than a lack of potential. According to Eilert, an offer from Kansas seemed imminent, and interest was growing from Iowa and UNI. The Rivals database lists an offer from Wyoming, but the Cowboys aren't on Eilert's radar right now.
Eilert, the no. 6 rated prospect in Iowa and the nation's no. 50 defensive end, will lead his Grinnell team in to the Class 3-A semifinals at the UNI-Dome on Monday against Clear Lake. The winner will clash with the Humboldt/LeMars winner for the state title.
Friday, November 10, 2006
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Commit Bass wants Straight Talker at ISU
(This article originally appeared at iowastate.rivals.com.)
A three-star JUCO running back commitment from the Cyclones' 2007 class says he's still commitment to Iowa State, but plans to visit several schools with competitive offers.
Jamicah Bass of Torrance (Calif.) El Camino College hasn't yet officially re-opened his recruitment, but said he was "basically heartbroken" at the news Dan McCarney would resign as coach of the Iowa State Cyclones.
"When I visited, he was real nice, he was real good to me," Bass said Wednesday night. "When Coach (Shawn) Simms told me the news today, it was really tough to handle."
With the coaching future of Iowa State uncertain, Bass - who goes by J.J. - plans to delay a final decision on his future until Jamie Pollard makes one on the future of the Cyclones. He is, however, wasting no time in exploring his other options. Bass has an official visit to Utah scheduled for the first weekend in December. He also plans to take post-Christmas visits to Arizona, Colorado and North Carolina State. All four schools have extended scholarship offers.
Bass, a 6-foot-1, 210-pound all-purpose back with roots in Orlando, Fla., committed to the Cyclones and Coach Simms in September. At the time, Simms said, there was no doubt he saw Ames as the place for him.
"I like the town, its real low-key," Bass said. "I liked the place and I liked the coaches."
According to Bass, Simms had spoken for weeks of the possibility of coaching changes. The talk had apparently intensified in recent days, in sync with the Cyclones' struggles on the field, with Simms advising Bass that a change was likely imminent. Exactly when Simms first was certain that a change would occur is uncertain.
Bass did leave open, however, the possibility that he may still attend Iowa State. The way the new Cyclone coach communicates with Bass will likely be the key to retaining his commitment.
"I like a coach who talks to you straight," Bass said. "A lot of these coaches talk to you like you're gonna be a super star right away, and I know they're talking to me sideways. I like a coach that I can tell is talking straight. Coach Mac was one of those guys."
A three-star JUCO running back commitment from the Cyclones' 2007 class says he's still commitment to Iowa State, but plans to visit several schools with competitive offers.
Jamicah Bass of Torrance (Calif.) El Camino College hasn't yet officially re-opened his recruitment, but said he was "basically heartbroken" at the news Dan McCarney would resign as coach of the Iowa State Cyclones.
With the coaching future of Iowa State uncertain, Bass - who goes by J.J. - plans to delay a final decision on his future until Jamie Pollard makes one on the future of the Cyclones. He is, however, wasting no time in exploring his other options. Bass has an official visit to Utah scheduled for the first weekend in December. He also plans to take post-Christmas visits to Arizona, Colorado and North Carolina State. All four schools have extended scholarship offers.
Bass, a 6-foot-1, 210-pound all-purpose back with roots in Orlando, Fla., committed to the Cyclones and Coach Simms in September. At the time, Simms said, there was no doubt he saw Ames as the place for him.
"I like the town, its real low-key," Bass said. "I liked the place and I liked the coaches."
According to Bass, Simms had spoken for weeks of the possibility of coaching changes. The talk had apparently intensified in recent days, in sync with the Cyclones' struggles on the field, with Simms advising Bass that a change was likely imminent. Exactly when Simms first was certain that a change would occur is uncertain.
Bass did leave open, however, the possibility that he may still attend Iowa State. The way the new Cyclone coach communicates with Bass will likely be the key to retaining his commitment.
"I like a coach who talks to you straight," Bass said. "A lot of these coaches talk to you like you're gonna be a super star right away, and I know they're talking to me sideways. I like a coach that I can tell is talking straight. Coach Mac was one of those guys."
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