ISU Signing Day: Looking long in the secondary

AMES - Bigger, faster, longer.

Iowa State football coach Paul Rhoads stresses recruiting players with those attributes at every position, but none more than defensive back.

“The standard for defensive backs certainly isn't looking me in the eye, but we've got to get more length at that position and we've addressed that with this class,” the 6-2 Rhoads said during Wednesday's national signing day news conference. “It was a priority to address it with this class. A defensive back with long levers can affect the play of an offense with their receivers and we've got that with this group of players.”

All five of the Cyclones' secondary signees stand 5-10 or taller.

Four are at least six-footers, including early commitment Cliff Stokes, who is already on campus.

“You don't see too many 6-0 or 6-1 corners,” said Stokes, who chose Iowa State over dozens of other schools. “I bring that height.”

The Cyclones' starting corners last season - Leonard Johnson and Jeremy Reeves - both showcased pro-level coverage skills.

But Johnson, a likely early-round NFL Draft pick this spring, stands 5-10.

Reeves, who will be a senior leader this season, is listed at 5-7.

That leaves a corner spot open - possibly to newcomers such as Stokes, T.J. Mutcherson (5-10, 185) and Iowa City West's Charlie Rogers (6-1, 193).

Rogers, Rhoads said, could help ISU on a multitude of fronts.

But the value of a 6-1 corner trumps all else.

“He's working on me to put him in a number of ways,” Rhoads said. “He's got (new offensive coordinator Courtney Messingham) in his corner in that regard. But remember: I coached the secondary for about 20 years. They've got little chance right now of positioning him anywhere other than as a six-foot cornerback in our defense.”

Fellow ISU defensive back recruits Damein Lawry and Luke Knott - brother of Cyclone all-Big 12 linebacker Jake Knott - hope to make significant contributions, as well.

Lawry, Rhoads said, was coached by Elzie Barnett at Wilmer-Hutchins High School in Dallas.

That's Duke Barnett's brother. Duke is Cyclone quarterback Jared Barnett's father.

“Damein was on a trip with coach Barnett to Lubbock, Texas to take in the Texas Tech Red Raiders because he sort-of liked their brand of football,” Rhoads said.

ISU beat Tech 41-7 that day.

“He left Lubbock, Texas liking the Cyclone brand of football,” Rhoads said.

ISU ranked 71st in pass defense last season. Adding length - and another layer or two of depth - in the secondary will help improve that standing.

“We're playing more and more five defensive backs on the field at the same time, so you're going to see those numbers grow,” Rhoads said.

Stokes and Mutcherson hope to play integral roles in the expansion. Stokes chose the Cyclones over 29 other offers and said he used to carry the pile of pitches around in a large trash bag. Mutcherson graduated from high school two years ago and watched friends play at big-time programs while he got his grades up in junior college.

“As I saw them play on weekends, I was like, 'You know, I could be out there doing the same thing, but I'm not - I messed up,' ” Mutcherson said. “I learned from my mistakes.”

IOWA STATE 2012 RECRUITING CLASS

Pierre Aka, DE, 6-4, 250, Indianapolis

Collin Bevins, DL, 6-5, 230, Creston

Daniel Burton, OL, 6-5, 275, Oklahoma City

Devlyn Cousin, DL, 6-2, 270, Kingsland, Ga.

Dondre Daley, WR, 6-3, 170, Tarpon Springs, Fla.

Jacob Dunning, OL, 6-6, 275, Leander, Texas

P.J. Harris, WR, 6-1, 160, Groveland, Fla.

Luke Knott, DB, 6-1, 185, Lee's Summit, Mo.

Damien Lawry, athlete, 6-0, 175, Dallas, Texas

Mitchell Meyers, DT, 6-4, 241, The Woodlands, Texas

Cory Morrissey, DE, 6-4, 240, Iowa Western C.C. (Gilbert)

T.J. Mutcherson, DB, 5-10, 185, Tampa, Fla.

Cole Netten, K, 6-1, 185, Ankeny

Adam Pavlenko, LB, 6-0, 200, Tempe, Ariz.

Charles Rogers, athlete, 6-1, 185, Iowa City (West)

Grant Rohach, QB, 6-2, 185, Moorpark, Calif.

Kane Seeley, LB, 6-2, 215, Perry

Cliff Stokes, DB, 6-0, 180, Trinity Valley C.C.

Quan West, WR, 6-4, 210, Willis, Texas

Darius White, LB, 6-1, 230, Bradenton, Fla.

Duaron Williams, OL, 6-4, 295, Orlando, Fla.

NOTE: Morrissey will be a sophomore. He, Mutcherson and Stokes are already enrolled in classes.