Iowa State football closed its 2018 recruiting class on a high note. Which 2018 signees could become instant starters for the Cyclones?
Matt Campbell has done a phenomenal job with the Iowa State Cyclones. He’s gone from coaching Toledo and trying to make the Rockets a power in the MAC to turning the Cyclones into a Big 12 contender. There’s a reason he was a highly sought-after coach this season — but he did decide to stay put.
Entering another year as the head coach of the Cyclones, expectations are at an all-time high for the usually-lackluster football program. Known as a basketball school, Iowa State now has a pretty good football team.
The incoming recruiting class will look to help matters as it’s ranked seventh in the Big 12 but just 54th in the nation. There are still some guys who could contribute right away.
Which five 2018 class signees could start right away for Iowa State?
Jake Campos is graduating, leaving an open spot at left tackle, but the early favorite to fill it is freshman Jacob Bolton. Although he could be the No. 1 guy heading into the spring, Joey Ramos will make his way to campus over the summer and try to change that before fall ball.
The incoming freshman stands 6-foot-5 and weighs in at a healthy 305 pounds from Phoenix, Ariz. He’s listed as the No. 633 recruit and 43rd-best offensive tackle in the class, per 247Sports, and could potentially fill a void at left guard, too.
Ramos is built to be a tackle and that’s what he was recruited as, but there are other needs along the offensive line, such as guard, which could cause him to slide over in order to play right away.
There are other veterans on the team who will be vying for the open spots, but Ramos is the only tackle signed in the class and could be a potentially impactful freshman.