The Cyclones coach secured 22 recruits in his highest-ranked signing day haul at 48th nationally
Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell reached a milestone Wednesday that reflects both his decade-long tenure in Ames and the program’s rising national profile. The Cyclones secured their highest-ranked recruiting class under Campbell’s leadership, bringing in 22 prospects who collectively rank 48th nationally according to 247 Sports. For a program that has built its success on identifying overlooked talent and developing players beyond their high school rankings, this achievement signals that top recruits now see Iowa State as a legitimate destination.
The significance becomes clear when considering how much recruiting has transformed since Campbell arrived at Iowa State. The process used to revolve around personal home visits and a single National Signing Day in February. Now the early signing period has become the critical date, while coaches simultaneously worry about retaining current players before the transfer portal opens on January 2. Campbell acknowledged the challenges of this new landscape but remains enthusiastic about the group joining his program.
Legacy addition headlines the offensive line class
Mason Bandhauer represents exactly the type of recruit Iowa State hopes to attract more consistently. The offensive lineman from Fort Collins, Colorado chose the Cyclones over offers from Kansas State, Kansas, Oklahoma State and other programs. His decision carries special meaning as a legacy addition, with his father Todd having played quarterback for Iowa State from 1995 through 1998. Campbell praised the younger Bandhauer’s leadership throughout the recruiting process, noting how rewarding it has been to watch his journey. The family connection to the program adds depth to a signing that brings both talent and ties to Iowa State football history.
Hometown star chose to stay close
Jeffrey Roberts embodies the kind of in-state talent Iowa State needs to keep home. The Ames native stands 6 feet tall and weighs 180 pounds, bringing elite speed to the wide receiver position. Roberts transferred to Dowling Catholic for his senior season and capped it by winning a Class 5A state football championship. Campbell described Roberts as a special person who has worked tremendously hard to develop into an excellent football player, showing consistent improvement throughout his high school career. Landing a local prospect of Roberts’ caliber who chose to stay rather than leaving Iowa strengthens Campbell’s recruiting pitch to future in-state players.
Diamond in the rough discovered in New Jersey
Elijah Reeder represents the type of find that has defined Iowa State’s recruiting approach under Campbell. The defensive lineman from New Jersey stands an imposing 6 feet 6 inches but weighs just 210 pounds, giving him a lean, projectable frame that should add significant muscle in a college strength program. Despite his raw physical development, Reeder dominated his senior season with 19 tackles for loss and eight sacks. Campbell admitted the staff kept Reeder’s recruitment quiet to avoid tipping off other programs to an elite prospect they had identified early. He highlighted Reeder’s exceptional traits including his size and 6-foot-8 wingspan, calling him a player with great ability who fits what Iowa State looks for in defensive linemen.
The recruiting landscape has changed dramatically
Campbell paused when asked to compare early signing day now versus his first year at Toledo in 2012, simply stating that things are certainly different. The changes extend far beyond just moving the primary signing date from February to December. Even last year, coaches could spend this time visiting homes of recruits they were signing, providing personal touches that Campbell genuinely enjoyed as a head coach. The transfer portal’s impact combined with the compressed recruiting calendar has made those relationship-building opportunities much harder to maintain.
The new reality means coaches spend signing day trying to determine which current players are staying versus entering the portal rather than celebrating new arrivals. Campbell acknowledged this represents a new era that has drastically changed the job compared to when he started coaching. Despite these challenges, he maintains that a decade at one program provides invaluable knowledge about which players fit the system and culture.
Looking ahead to bowl season
While celebrating the recruiting class, Campbell and his 8-4 Cyclones await learning their bowl destination on Sunday. The team received positive injury news regarding safety Jamison Patton and offensive lineman Trevor Buhr, with both expected to be available for the bowl game. Patton missed the past three games due to injury while Buhr sat out last week’s victory at Oklahoma State with an ankle issue. Having both players healthy gives Iowa State additional depth as they prepare for their postseason matchup.
Campbell emphasized that evaluating recruiting classes on signing day amounts to premature celebration, noting that the real assessment comes two or three years down the road. However, his excitement about this particular group stems from knowing what fits his program after a decade in Ames, and seeing how each recruit’s story aligns with the foundation Iowa State football has built.
This article is based on reporting from The Gazette.