Cyclone Football Signing Day: Cedar Rapids rivals reunite on ISU OL

AMES - Their paths first crossed in youth basketball. Bryce Meeker and Julian Good-Jones were pitted against one another in practice most days and the level of competition was high, even in eighth grade.

That's not to say there aren't a few other non-competitive memories, too.

'He was like a grizzly bear,” Good-Jones said of Meeker. 'It was eighth grade and he had full stomach hair, chest hair, and everything. He was a grown man.”

That offbeat memory connected Meeker and Good-Jones as kids, and they'll reconnect now on the football field. Meeker of Cedar Rapids Prairie and Good-Jones of Cedar Rapids Washington are expected to sign letters of intent today as a part of Iowa State football's 2015 recruiting class.

Both players - committed since last summer - will be slotted as offensive linemen.

'They bought into me and they told me they were all in for me and they weren't going to offer any other guard,” Meeker said. 'They loved where I was, and I think that really helped me with the whole thing.”

'They wanted me from the start and the relationship I've built with the coaches, there's a comfortability there,” Good-Jones said. 'And the coaches really care; there's really a vibe that they really care.”

Good-Jones is a lean offensive lineman at 6-foot-5 and 270 pounds. His ability to provide pass protection drew Iowa State's attention. Pointers, Good-Jones said, he got from ISU Coach Paul Rhoads helped, too, and the chance to play in an offense that passes more is a bonus.

'I think I can bring a lot to the table in the offense and hope to become a leader early and just bring some aggressiveness and good pass protection to the line,” Good-Jones said.

Run blocking is a point of pride for Meeker. He has working to become a more efficient pass protector, and he hopes his off-season lifting and conditioning will have him ready when he arrives in Ames this summer.

'I can blow up the nose guard or the defensive tackle and I think that will help a lot inside and ultimately break out for outside runs and screen plays or passes,” Meeker said.

Joining Meeker and Good-Jones as members of Iowa State's 2015 class is Cedar Rapids Washington wide receiver Landen Akers. A second team all-state receiver as a senior, Akers gave his verbal commitment to the Cyclones in December but plans to gray-shirt in 2015.

Iowa State Class of ‘15

ALREADY ENROLLED

Patrick Scoggins, OT, 6-3, 305, Long Beach CC

Demond Tucker, DT, 6-1, 280, Copiah-Lincoln CC

Jomal Wiltz, CB, 5-10, 175, Trinity Valley CC

Jarnor Jones, S, 6-3, 210, Georgia Military College

SIGNING TODAY

Bobby McMillen, MLB, 6-0.5, 211, Naperville Central HS (Naperville, Ill.)

Bryce Meeker, OT, 6-5, 295, Prairie HS (Cedar Rapids)

Dominic Delira, QB, 6-1, 185, Lake Travis HS (Austin, Texas)

Seth Nerness, DE, 6-4.5, 230, SouthLake Christian Academy (Murray, Iowa)

Jordan Wallace, S, 6-1, 170, Guyer HS (Denton, Texas)

Julian Good-Jones, OT, 6-5, 270, Washington HS (Cedar Rapids)

Marcel Spears, OLB, 6-0, 203, Olathe North Sr HS (Olathe, Kan.)

Denver Johnson, WR, 6-2.5, 212, Casady School (Oklahoma City, Okla.)

Stephon Brown, CB, 5-10.5, 167, Osceola HS (Kissimmee, Fla.)

Landen Akers, WR, 6-1, 175, Washington HS (Cedar Rapids)

Bobby Leath, DT, 6-4, 290, Coffeyville CC

Carson Epps, WR, 6-2, 197, Jenks HS (Jenks, Okla.)

Joshua Thomas, RB, 5-11, 198, Buford HS (Buford, Ga.)

Josh Coleman, DT, 6-3, 250, University Christian School (Jacksonville, Fla.)

Jaypee Philbert, OT, 6-6, 305, Coffeyville CC

Hakeem Butler, WR, 6-7, 205, Travis HS (Richmond, Texas)