Football

Will Mississippi JUCO linebacker be the next to commit?

Paul Rhoads has had a heck of a week on the recruiting trail.

Iowa State’s coaching staff hit the road on Monday with the goal of filling some significant holes on the defensive side of the football through junior college prospects. Rhoads and his crew snagged a strong safety (Qujuan Floyd) along with a free safety (Devron Moore). 

That helps. However, there is still plenty of work to be done.

Could a junior college linebacker be next?

Perhaps.

Rhoads and defensive coordinator Wally Burnham paid Jordan Harris, a 6-foot-2, 225-pound inside linebacker out of Copiah-Lincoln C.C in Mississippi, an in-home visit. Harris notably officially visited Iowa State on Nov. 23 when the Cyclones defeated Kansas 34-0.

“He’s a good player and a great kid,” Harris’ JUCO coach, Glenn Davis told CycloneFanatic.com. “He is a guy who has been a two-year starter for us. He is just a really, really good kid who comes from a great family.”

This offseason, Iowa State is faced with the chore of replacing the Big 12’s leading tackler, Jeremiah George at the middle linebacker position. Harris could be that man.

“Most people recruit kids from our league to come in and start,” Davis said. “I would think that they have done their homework and like what they see.”

At one time, Harris was verbally committed to Southern Mississippi. In addition to Iowa State, he is being courted heavily by Cincinnati and Middle Tennessee State. Davis said that Harris is planning on officially visiting Cincinnati next weekend. A visit to Middle Tennessee State has not yet been scheduled.

“He is a great leader but kind of a quiet guy who doesn’t say a whole lot,” Davis said. “When he does talk, kids listen to him. He is a physical kid. He is the kind of kid who you know will bring it home. He is that kind of kid.”

Should Harris eventually commit to Iowa State, he would be on campus for spring football and have two years of eligibility. 

@cyclonefanatic