Cyclones ink top-60 JUCO defensive lineman Ray Lima

AMES — Iowa State made a point to rebuild its defensive line through the junior college ranks.

The latest addition to the Cyclones is another big step in that effort.

Iowa State announced the signing of junior college defensive tackle Ray Lima on Sunday afternoon. The 6-foot-3, 310-pounder was rated as a top-60 JUCO (No. 58) by 247Sports and Scout as well as a top-10 defensive tackle.

Lima will enroll in classes at Iowa State for the spring semester and have three years to play for the Cyclones. He had interest from Oregon, Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, TCU and California.

'Ray is a big, physical run-stopper inside. He's got great athletic ability to run sideline to sideline. He's one of the top interior defensive lineman in the country and a guy who has a chance, both on the field and off the field, to make a huge impact,' said Cyclones head coach Matt Campbell in a statement released by the school.

Lima, a consensus three-star recruit, had 59 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks in 2015 before redshirting this past season at El Camino Community College. He joins defensive end Matt Leo, the 6-foot-7 and 265-pound defensive end who signed last Wednesday, and wide receiver Matt Eaton as a midyear enrollee.

Leo, Lima and defensive tackle Kamilo Tongamoa — a 6-foot-5, 320-pound JUCO who is committed to Iowa State and expected to sign Feb. 1 — will all come to Ames with a lot of size and could replace three of the four spots along an Iowa State defensive line that 218.2 yards per game last season.

Iowa State has 20 commitments, including signees, in its 2017 class and is No. 41 nationally according to 247Sports.

For more: The Cyclone Scoop Podcast looks at Iowa State Football recruiting

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