The Iowa State Cyclones have been working hard to secure commitments from high school recruits, especially in the Class of 2027. It’s been a bit of a rough road, honestly.
Head coach Jimmy Rogers took over and immediately had to deal with a roster shake-up for 2026. More than 50 players hit the transfer portal, which is just wild.
That kind of turnover put them behind in high school recruiting. Still, they’ve managed to get things moving again.
Dontrell Young is one of the big names they’re after—a three-star safety. He’s also on the radar for the Illinois Fighting Illini.
Young’s track times have really set him apart. He’s got a bunch of official visits coming up in June, and Iowa State is pushing to get his commitment.
Iowa State’s Recruitment Strategy Under Jimmy Rogers
When Rogers stepped in, his first move was to stabilize the 2026 roster. That was a must, given the number of players leaving.
It was a huge challenge. But Rogers and his staff have worked to patch things up and are now focusing more on high school prospects.
Overcoming Initial Setbacks
Losing so many players early on definitely set Iowa State back in recruiting. The coaching staff, though, has been grinding to rebuild their approach.
Now, they’re starting to see some results with new commitments for the Class of 2027.
Key Focus Areas
- Stabilizing the 2026 Roster: Making sure the team stays competitive for the next season.
- Rebuilding Recruiting Efforts: Shifting attention to high school talent for the future.
Dontrell Young: A Rising Star
Dontrell Young stands out as one of the more exciting prospects for Iowa State. The three-star safety from Oswego High School has caught a lot of eyes with his athleticism.
His track numbers are kind of insane—he ran a 10.46 in the 100 meters and a 21.16 in the 200. That’s the kind of speed coaches dream about.
Interest from Power Conference Programs
At first, Young was mostly getting attention from Group of 5 and FCS schools. But lately, Power Conference programs like Iowa State and Illinois have started circling.
Both schools are hoping to get him on campus for a camp soon.
- Track Performance: Young’s speed on the track could easily translate to football.
- Recruiting Interest: Iowa State and Illinois are the first big programs to show serious interest.
Upcoming Visits and Offers
Young has a packed June with several official visits lined up. He’ll be checking out Miami (OH), Central Michigan, and North Dakota State.
These visits could be pretty important for figuring out where he wants to go next.
Official Visits
Here’s where Young is headed:
- Miami (OH) RedHawks: June 5-7
- Central Michigan Chippewas: June 11-13
- North Dakota State Bison: June 16-18
Iowa State’s Recruitment Efforts
The Cyclones still have some catching up to do if they want Young to pick them. If head coach Jimmy Rogers and safeties coach Pete Menage can get him an offer, that might just tip the scales.
Bringing Young to Ames for a camp could really help their chances, too. It’s anyone’s guess how this plays out, but Iowa State’s not out of it yet.
Conclusion
The Iowa State Cyclones have started to pick up steam in their high school recruiting. There were some bumps at first, but things are looking steadier now.
Jimmy Rogers has stepped in and brought some balance to the roster. Now, the focus is shifting to top prospects—like Dontrell Young.
Young’s got some serious speed on the track, and honestly, his raw ability on the football field is turning a lot of heads. He’s lining up a few official visits, and there’s interest coming in from Power Conference schools.
Honestly, it’s hard not to be curious about how Young’s recruitment will play out. If you want the full scoop on Iowa State’s recruiting push, check out the article on Yahoo Sports.
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