Iowa State brings in high percentage of recruits

When Iowa State football coaches lured recruits to campus this fall and winter, they didn't miss.

Of the 32 players who took official visits, 28 of them signed letters of intent with ISU Wednesday.

“I've never been around a class with that high of a percentage rate,” Coach Paul Rhoads said. “I would dare you to look across the country and see what other program have done that this year.”

The second-year coach had a full year to put this class together as opposed to the month he had last season after taking over the job Dec. 20.

Rhoads signed 14 offensive players, 12 defensive players, a punter and an athlete - Urbandale's Jevoury Wedderburn, a first-team all-state running back as a senior.

Eight are from Florida, seven from California and five from Iowa. Rivals.com ranks the class ninth in the Big 12 and 54th nationally.

“We filled needs at every single position group,” Rhoads said.

Rhoads spoke highly of a couple of offensive newcomers.

Tailback Shontrelle Johnson rushed for 1,993 yards and 19 touchdowns as senior at Deland (Fla.) High School. Johnson turned down offers from several big-name schools, including Florida.

“He is special,” Rhoads said. “If we were to put on a highlight tape of all 28 (recruits), I promise you he would draw the most oohs and aahs.”

Receiver Albert Gary was a late addition to the class from Butler (Kan.) Community College

Gary signed with Arkansas out of high school, failed to qualify, red-shirted at his junior college and sat out last season. He'll have four seasons of eligibility.

“We think we've got a steal,” Rhoads said. “Getting him right at the end is a coup. We needed to add playmakers. We've got guys with great hands who were productive for us, but we need to turn more 8-yard catches into 80-yard plays.”

Gary is one of seven junior college players in the class. Three - defensive back Anthony Young, tight end Ricky Howard and offensive lineman Jon Caspers - are on campus.

Yuba (Calif.) Community College defensive end Rony Nelson was expected to enroll and participate in spring practice. Rhoads said Nelson fell one credit short of graduating and won't make it to campus until summer.

Caspers, one of six offensive linemen who signed, will spend this season getting used to the position after switching from defensive line last spring. His coach at North Dakota College of Science suggested the move for Caspers' benefit.

“He said we'll have people calling about you. They want to try you at (O-line) because of how quick you are,” he said. “If it's going to get me out of here and get me a scholarship somewhere I'll make the switch. Football is football.”

Rhoads said the 6-6, 295-pound Caspers asked to red-shirt.