2/4/2010
Written By: Iowa State Sports Information Department
Category: Collegiate Corner  

AMES – This Iowa State football recruiting class was truly like no other. ISU head coach Paul Rhoads and his assistant coaches had this group locked down early. The Cyclone newcomers include dual-threat quarterback Jared Barnett out of Texas, the fi rst commitment Iowa State received in the class of 2010. Florida prep running back Shontrelle Johnson is also among the class of 28 signees who signed national letters of intent Wednesday to attend and play football at Iowa State.

“When we recruit someone, we recruit the individual, the family and the high school coach,” Rhoads said. “There are some individuals who treat signing day the same way they make reservations at a hotel. They act like they can cancel up to signing day with no penalty. We are comprehensive and selective about who we invite to be Cyclones and that impacts the level of commitment from our newest Iowa Staters.”

Barnett was one of the nation’s top high school signal-callers last season, throwing for 2,134 yards and 20 touchdowns while also running for 373 yards and six scores. Johnson had offers from a slew of schools after rushing for 1,993 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Among the Iowans are all-state offensive lineman Jacob Gannon of Iowa City West, punter Kirby Van Der Kamp of West Des Moines Valley and all-state lineman Brandon Jensen of Ankeny, Rhoads’ alma mater.

“Jacob has links to Iowa State and we think he is going to be a real fi ne offensive lineman for us down the line,” Rhoads said. “He is at a position where he will have a chance to develop. Kirby Van Der Kamp really impressed us at our camp last summer. His concentration is excellent as is his hang time. I’m thrilled to get Brandon Jensen from my alma mater. He is a guy that has a great motor and doesn’t take any plays off.”

Three junior college players are already in classes, participating in winter workouts and preparing for spring football. Offensive lineman Jon Caspers hopes to redshirt this season. Tight end Ricky Howard is expected to provide immediate help along with defensive
back Anthony Young.

Spring practice begins March 23 and the spring game is set for April 17.

Time             Name                  Pos.                 Hometown/High School
Enrolled        Caspers, Jon         OL                 Bird Island, Minn. (Bold/NDSCS)
Enrolled        Howard, Ricky     TE                 Hesperia, Calif. (Hesperia/Chaffey CC)
Enrolled        Young, Anthony   DB                 Ontario, Calif. (Colony/Palomar CC)
6:40 a.m.       McCullough, T.J.  DB                 Citra, Fla. (North Marion)
7:11 a.m.       Mattison, Floyd     LB                 Katy, Texas (Morton Ranch)
7:16 a.m.       Kron, Nick            DE                 West Des Moines, Iowa (Valley)
7:32 a.m.       Bennett, Adrian     DB                 Houston, Texas (Klein Forest)
7:38 a.m.       Gannon, Jacob       OL                 Iowa City, Iowa (West)
7:46 a.m.       Thomas, Matt         DB                 Lancaster, Texas (Lancaster)
7:54 a.m.       West, Jarvis           WR                 St. Petersburg, Fla. (Gibbs)
8:03 a.m.       Jensen, Brandon     DL                 Ankeny, Iowa (Ankeny)
8:15 a.m.       Hollis, Duran         RB                 Fort Worth, Texas (Polytech)
8:20 a.m.       Van Der Kamp, Kirby P             West Des Moines, Iowa (Valley)
8:38 a.m.       Wedderburn, Jevoury ATH         Urbandale, Iowa (Urbandale)
8:41 a.m.       Morgan, Clifford "C.J." DB/LB     Frostproof, Fla. (Frostproof)
8:51 a.m.       George, Jeremiah     LB                 Clearwater, Fla. (Clearwater)
8:52 a.m.       Gary, Albert             WR                 Citra, Fla. (North Marion) (Butler CC)
9:04 a.m.       Dika, Shaban            OL                 San Antonio, Texas (Earl Warren)
9:06 a.m.       Young, Chris            WR            Austin, Texas (Austin/Trinity Valley CC)
9:13 a.m.       Loth, Ben                  OL                 Chatsworth, Calif. (Crespi Carmelite)
9:18 a.m.      Givens, Durrell          DB                 Riverside, Calif. (Cabrillo/Chaffey CC)
9:26 a.m.       Richardson, Pierce    TE                     Burbank, Calif. (Crespi Carmelite)
9:32 a.m.       Graham, Eric "Bob" OL                 Jenks, Okla. (Jenks)
9:37 a.m.       Barnett, Jared            QB                 Garland, Texas (Garland)
9:40 a.m.       Farniok, Tom            OL                 Sioux Falls, S.D. (Washington)
9:42 a.m.       Pate, Dentrell             LB                 Deland, Fla. (Deland)
9:42 a.m.       Johnson, Shontrelle   RB                 Deland, Fla. (Deland)
-                    Nelson, Rony             DL                 Miami, Fla. (Jackson/Yuba CC)