Saturday Blitz
Fansided

Iowa State Football: 5 breakout freshmen to watch in 2018

By Ryan T. Smith

AMES, IA - SEPTEMBER 24: Head coach Matt Campbell of the Iowa State Cyclones coaches from the sidelines in the first half of play against the San Jose State Spartans at Jack Trice Stadium on September 24, 2016 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA - SEPTEMBER 24: Head coach Matt Campbell of the Iowa State Cyclones coaches from the sidelines in the first half of play against the San Jose State Spartans at Jack Trice Stadium on September 24, 2016 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next

Iowa State football‘s 2018 recruiting class was one of the most highly-rated in program history. Which incoming freshmen will be able to contribute right away?

In just his second season in Ames, Matt Campbell has brought new life to the Iowa State football program. The 2017 season saw the Cyclones topple two top-five teams, stay competitive in the Big 12 title race into November, and win eight games in a season for the first time since 2000.

He followed that up by inking a tremendous 2018 recruiting class; per the 247 Sports Composite, the average player rating is the highest that ISU has ever reeled in during the modern recruiting ranking era. As you might expect, Campbell is now the most beloved figure in Ames since Fred Hoiberg.

Iowa State returns a lot of talent from last season, but there will be ample opportunity for some of the new incoming freshmen to make their mark right away. Here are five that have a solid chance of seeing immediate playing time.

Home/Iowa State Cyclones