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Iowa State University Athletics
Chizik Unveils First Recruiting Class
02.07.2007 | Football
“We got going in late November and early December and our coaching staff did a great job in getting players who can help us where we need it most,” Chizik said. “Our staff was relentless and sold both our high school and junior college recruits on this program. We have some strong high schoolers coming who will help us down the road. You don't bring junior college players into your program unless they can help right away. Our staff did a great job in executing a recruiting strategy put together as we brought in assistant coaches.”
The 2007 recruiting class includes 12 junior college players that make up one of the best groups of community college All-Americans in the country. The offensive line was an area of concentration, as
In addition to Blaes and McMahon, tailback Jamicah Bass (6-1, 210), ranked by some services as one of the top two running backs, earned All-American honors by rushing for 1,208 yards for 12-2 El Camino (Calif.) Community College.
JUCO All-American Wallace Franklin (6-3, 175) of
Help is on the way defensively as well. First-team junior college All-American defensive back Allen Bell (6-2, 190) is a speedster from
Phillip Bates (6-2, 189), a dual threat quarterback from Omaha North, threw for 2,963 yards in just two seasons and completed over 50 percent of his passes.
Among the high school recruits are Iowans Fabian Brown (6-3, 230) of Des Moines-Roosevelt, and the
Chizik hit
“When we formed this coaching staff, one of the things you looked at was where your coaches had already established ties,” Chizik said. “I think that was reflected in the geographical distribution of this recruiting class and in its quality, especially since we weren't even here until late November.”
The class in total includes six defensive linemen, four linebackers and two defensive backs. Two running backs, including
Also joining the Cyclones will be offensive lineman Alex Alvarez (6-3, 290), Trey Baysinger (6-6, 290), James Carpenter (6-4, 300), Doug Dedrick (6-5, 285), Joseph Klerekoper (6-6, 295) and Kelechi Osemele (6-5, 298).
On the defensive side of the ball, Randy Kellman (6-5, 260), Christopher Lyle (6-4, 255), Patrick Neal (6-0, 225), Michael Tate (6-5, 285) and Chris Weir (6-3, 270) were defensive line signees. The linebacker corps includes Michael Bibbs (6-2, 230), Anthony Green (6-0, 220) and Curtiz Mathis (6-3, 215).
Joining Allen Bell in the defensive backfield is A.J. Matthews (6-3, 185), a prep from
National Letters of Intent Received By Iowa State - Feb. 7, 2007 Position Ht./Wt. Video OG 6-3/290 OL 6-2/295 OL 6-5/285 OL DT WR OL DT DB/LB RB QB DE WR DE LB OL DB LB LB OL DL LB RB OL Feb, 8, 2007 TE
Time
Name (click for bio)
Year
Hometown
----
Alex Alvarez*
So.
Kilgore, Texas (Kilgore CC/Clear Creek)
----
Joe Blaes*
Jr.
Coffeyville, Kan. (Coffeyville CC/Cherryvale)
----
Doug Dedrick*
So.
Scottsdale, Ariz. (Scottsdale CC/Corona Del Sol)
----
Joe McMahon*
Jr.
6-4/290
Jolet, Ill. (Joliet CC/Downer's Grove North)
7:55 a.m.
Jerrod Black
Fr.
6-2/285
Houston, Texas (Cypress Falls)
8:01 a.m.
Alex Sandvig
Fr.
6-0/180
West Des Moines, Iowa (Valley)
8:53 a.m.
Kelechi Osemele
Fr.
6-5/298
Houston, Texas (Langham Creek)
8:55 a.m.
Michael Tate
Jr.
6-5/285
Brenham, Texas (Blinn CC/Arkansas/Washington)
9:27 a.m.
A.J. Matthews
Fr.
6-3/185
Clearwater, Fla. (Countryside)
9:59 a.m.
Jamicah Bass
Jr.
6-1/210
Altamonte Springs, Fla. (El Camino CC/Lyman)
10:01 a.m.
Phillip Bates
Fr.
6-2/189
Omaha, Neb. (North)
10:02 a.m.
Christopher Lyle
Jr.
6-4/255
Waldorf, Md. (Butler CC/Westlake)
10:05 a.m.
Wallace Franklin
Jr.
6-3/175
Beaumont, Texas (Butler CC/Ozen)
10:07 a.m.
Randy Kellman
Fr.
6-6/261
Kissimmee, Fla. (Celebration)
10:31 a.m.
Curtiz Mathis
Fr.
6-3/215
Harvey, Ill. (Thornton Township)
11:21 a.m.
Trey Baysinger
Fr.
6-6/290
Dallas, Texas (Carter)
11:23 a.m.
Allen Bell
Jr.
6-2/190
Tallahassee, Fla. (Independence CC/Rickards)
11:26 a.m.
Michael Bibbs
Jr.
6-2/230
Atlanta, Ga. (Copiah-Lincoln CC/Washington)
11:30 a.m
Anthony Green
Fr.
6-0/220
Missouri City, Texas (Fort Bend Marshall)
11:35 a.m.
Joseph Klerekoper
Fr.
6-6/295
Longview, Texas (Pine Tree)
11:41 a.m.
Chris Weir
Jr.
6-3/270
Miami, Fla. (Independence CC/Miami Beach)
12:04 p.m.
Fabian Brown
Fr.
6-3/230
Des Moines, Iowa (Roosevelt)
1:34 p.m.
Cameron Bell
Fr.
6-1/215
Round Rock, Texas (Stony Point)
1:46 p.m.
James Carpenter
Fr.
6-4/300
Hephzibah, Ga. (Hephzibah)
7:05 a.m.
Collin Franklin
So.
6-6/230
Simi Valley, Calif. (Coll. of the Canyons CC/Simi)
* Indicates enrolled for spring semester
Clone Zone members have access to the highlight videos of each signee, as well as an archived version of coach Chizik's media conference comments in the links above. For more information on how to join the Clone Zone to see these exclusive videos, click on the links below.
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