SPRING SHOWCASE PREVIEW | WILL SLAGLE RECOMMITS | Iowa State Cyclones LIVE #63 Podcast By cover art

SPRING SHOWCASE PREVIEW | WILL SLAGLE RECOMMITS | Iowa State Cyclones LIVE #63

SPRING SHOWCASE PREVIEW | WILL SLAGLE RECOMMITS | Iowa State Cyclones LIVE #63

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Opening & Show Context Hosts greet listeners; casual chat about weather (first 80° day) and shifting focus back to football.Men's basketball season is "100% settled"; women's basketball still adding recruits (full roster evaluation later).Main topics: Will Slagle recommitment (big in-state win) + other 2027 recruiting notes, plus preview of the Spring Showcase (first public look at new offense/defense, players, and staff under Rogers). Key Recruiting Discussion: Will Slagle Recommits Will Slagle (Grinnell, IA; 6'4", ~280-305 lbs; 4-star composite/ high 3-star on some services; top OL in Iowa for 2027 class) recommitted to Iowa State on April 17, 2026. He had originally committed under Matt Campbell but decommitted after the coaching change.Why it matters: Lifelong Iowa State fan (dad and uncle attended); huge for new staff to retain a high-caliber in-state talent and maintain foothold in Iowa against rivals like Iowa. Demonstrates staff's dedication to in-state recruiting.Offer list was elite: Arkansas, Auburn, Duke, Iowa, Kansas, Kansas State, Miami, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Northwestern, Penn State, Stanford, Wisconsin, plus North/South Dakota State. Recent visits included Miami (NIL-heavy, strong recruiter in Mario Cristobal) and others like Notre Dame/Iowa/Penn State.Hosts call it a "momentous" early win—feels like a centerpiece recruit (similar to past Iowa State O-linemen like Trevor Downing). Allows building the class around elite OL talent; already 3 of 6 commits in 2027 class are O-linemen.Positive vibes: Committed at a tailgate previously; decommitted fairly but left door open and chose home over bigger programs/money. Hosts joke about Jimmy Rogers delivering a motivational speech akin to old Paul Rhodes-era moments (e.g., Allen Lazard). Other 2027 Recruiting Notes Isaiah Hansen (Newton, IA; RB): Bumped to consensus 4-star; now the #1 player in Iowa for the class. Hosts recall watching his high school tape (Newton game) and liking him pre-offer; funny note about his old 247 photo in an Iowa hoodie (compared to Brees Hall's old Iowa pic).Bryson Thompson: Rating bump (e.g., to .87 or similar on 247).Class off to a "great start" with momentum—mix of high-profile in-state guys and pursuing higher-end out-of-state talent (shift from prior staff's "diamonds in the rough" approach). Current commits include OL focus plus others like Bryson Thompson, Koen Hinzman, etc. Class currently ranks around top 40 nationally in some services (with multiple 4-star composites).Keaton Wollan (or Wallen; Amery, WI; 6'3", 205 lbs; 3-star composite LB; two-way high school player, projects to LB): New commit mentioned (committed shortly before/during episode timeframe). Recent visits to Wisconsin/Minnesota but chose Iowa State; hosts discuss his athleticism, size, and need to add weight (20-25 lbs) in college program. Tape shows good downhill play, form tackling, traffic filtering; raw but with upside.Broader staff philosophy shift: Treating Iowa State as a "high-end job"; pursuing 4-stars and competing in battles rather than just underdog/diamonds-in-rough strategy. Still finding sleepers (e.g., Thompson was unrated at offer time). Early success seen as proof of dedicated, aggressive approach. Recruiting Philosophy & Program Outlook New staff recalibrating approach: Heavy on top in-state targets + higher-profile out-of-state guys; actively competing vs. bigger programs.Comparison to Matt Campbell era: Campbell's classes weren't dramatically higher-ranked (often top 50-60 range even after success like Fiesta Bowl); current 2027 class sitting higher early (~top 37-40 in some rankings).2026 season as "proof of concept": Even after roster/coaching turnover, aim for bowl eligibility (6-6 or better) to reset floor and show stability/competitiveness in Big 12. Schedule allows path to 7-8 wins if pieces click. Re-establishing baseline prevents sliding to "back of the conference."Optimism: Guys like Slagle/Hansen provide building blocks; vision and momentum under Rogers feel different (no longer leaning on pure underdog mentality post-recent successes). Spring Showcase Preview (April 25) Format: Not a full-contact spring game (injury risk too high); more like organized practice/scrimmage—light, focused on scheme/install. No opponent (e.g., no UNI idea dismissed for safety/competitiveness reasons). Gates open ~10 a.m.What to watch: All positions, but emphasis on chemistry (new pieces meshing).Offense: Jalen Rainer (QB transfer) — footwork, ball placement, escapability, fit in power-run scheme (vs. his prior Air Raid-style at Arkansas State). O-line development/gelling (defense likely ahead early due to transfers/proven pieces). New receiving corps (limited passing expected; focus on run game). Cam Pettway's game-changing speed in space; Aiden Flores' wheels. Small details over big plays.Defense: Defensive line (strongest unit potential—depth from Washington State transfers + returners like ...
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