Episode Notes: Iowa State Cyclones LIVE #65 RECRUITING UPDATE | OFFSEASON BIG 12 RANKINGS Hosts: Levi Stevenson & Carter Hanson Date/Context: May 12, 2026, focusing on basketball/football recruiting and early Big 12 preseason outlooks.

• Donovan Davis (4-star, Wisconsin): Major commitment to TJ Otzelberger. Extends the strong Wisconsin pipeline (dating back ~20 years to players like Scott Christopherson & Mike Taylor). Iowa State has landed ~7 of the last top-15 Wisconsin prospects.
  • Profile: Big, athletic forward (6'7", 200 lbs). Good handle, distributor, solid high-school jumper. Compared to Melvin Ejim in style/size. Strong playmaking, downhill driver.
  • Defense: Familiar with Iowa State's "no middle" scheme from high school. Smart, mature beyond his years.
  • Fit: Projects as scorer around the rim, rebounder, defender early on. Room to grow physically and as a shooter (potential 38% 3PT at size).
• Class Outlook: Iowa State currently #1 in 2027 class rankings. Other names: Josiah Harrington, potential Jack Conan (Wisconsin shooter, more well-rounded scorer).
  • Isaiah Bond: Likely 1 year left (possible redshirt history).
  • Lineup vision (2026-27): Lengthy, switchable defense with guys like Davis, Trey Singleton, Bully Johnson, etc. Exciting transition play.

Future Outlook: Strong 2026 tournament team expected. 2027 looks "scary" with development from Singleton, Don Plata, Bateman, Davis, Bond + new class.

• Zavad Robinson (3-star DL, Minneapolis/Camden): Developmental prospect (6'3", 275). Lower-major offers. Fits as edge/DT. Good size/quickness for the level; familiar with 4-2-5 scheme. Low-risk flyer with existing DL depth.
• Joe Vineyard (3-star TE, Waukee Northwest): 6'5", 220. Solid offer list (Baylor, Washington State, etc.). Smart kid (military academies + Ivy interest). Developmental piece for TE room.
  • Context: New staff shifting away from heavy TE-centric offense (unlike past decade). Focus on run-blocking + future pass-catching development. Good regional pickup after missing on prior 4-star TEs.

QB Notes:

• Brody Campbell (3-star, Georgia) gaining traction as fallback/option if DJ Hunter doesn't commit. Good fundamentals, accurate, quick release (minor coaching points on compactness), mobile enough. Solid arm talent.
• Visits upcoming: Cameron Roberts (4-star CB), Elijah Shaw (4-star OT), etc. in late May/early June.

General: Staff emphasizing multi-year portal guys + developmental high school talent. Not in a rush; plenty of bodies.

• ESPN: Iowa State picked last (16th) in Big 12. Not surprising to hosts (new coach, new players, less "sexy" transfers vs. teams like Oklahoma State).
• Hosts' View: Iowa State won't finish last. Realistic bowl game (6+ wins) possible. Schedule favorable (tough games mostly at home).
  • Defensive-first identity under new staff (Tyler Rowe influence). Run-heavy, grind-it-out style similar to Bears/Lions or Iowa.
  • Optimism: Competing in close games, growth throughout season more important than final record this year. Proof-of-concept for future recruiting.
• Other notes: Cincinnati/West Virginia/Colorado/Kansas projected low. Iowa game could be winnable (Iowa lost talent; special teams questions).

• Former ISU players for new offense: Breece Hall (north-south runner) as top fit. Tight end mentions (Charlie Kohler/Dylan Sainer).
• QB throwing motion discussion: Jacob Park had elite arm talent (NFL-level) but off-field issues. Brock Purdy example of coachable mechanics.
• Next episode: More football/basketball updates post-visits.

Overall Tone: Positive and realistic offseason vibe. Excitement around basketball pipeline + defensive culture in football. "Old school" chill recruiting summer after recent chaos (NIL, realignment, etc.).

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