Three new recruits.

**Topshelf** · 01-15-2009, 03:33 PM

Not sure if this is old news...

Ames Tribune > Ames Tribune > Sports

I know there is a link on Knott but wasn't sure about the other two. What are opinions on these verbals?

**Clones85'** · 01-15-2009, 03:40 PM

Sims was a must. Especially after we lost Butler

**isuarch80** · 01-15-2009, 03:42 PM

I know there's been discussion on these 3 already. Sims is a good get for us, as he fills what we thought we were getting with Troy Butler, who was a JUCO safety that decommitted and has now verballed to KSU. Seems like he's got the physical tools for sure, and the measurables of a safety. That's nice.
Bellamy only got recruited after Sims was meeting with Ash and ISU. Seems like another athlete, and will be questionable where he truly fits on the depth chart, IMO, other than return man, and possibly DB. There's a lot of WRs he'll have to jump. Good competition for sure though.

**ripvdub** · 01-15-2009, 03:43 PM

They were all mentioned but noone seemed to mention them by name in the title of the thread. So i cant blame you for not seeing it.

Simms looks like a good one on video. And Knott will work his arse off.

**Topshelf** · 01-15-2009, 03:46 PM

Thanks for the info. I have read the entire Knott link. I think he is a great pickup. PR needed to make a connection with Iowa coaches and this is a great way to do it. Haven't heard as much about the other two. Thanks again.

**cybsball20** · 01-15-2009, 03:52 PM

I have been asking around alot on Sims and he sounds like a big pickup, will definately have a grudge against Oklahoma... Still can't get real excited about Knott but glad he's excited.

**cyhiphopp** · 01-15-2009, 04:01 PM

Knott may never be an "exciting" player, but I have a feeling if he works as hard as advertised, he could be a key roleplayer for the team.
ISU needs hard working roleplayers to combine with playmakers to make a good team.

**cybsball20** · 01-15-2009, 04:05 PM

I agree that we will need roleplayers, but there is no shame in having them start out as walk ons and earn a scholarship.

**cyfan964** · 01-15-2009, 04:07 PM

I think Knott will be similar to what Jesse Smith brings to the table... may not be the most athletically gifted person on the planet, but will bring it every game.

**cyhiphopp** · 01-15-2009, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

I agree that we will need roleplayers, but there is no shame in having them start out as walk ons and earn a scholarship.

True. We may have not gotten him at all if we only asked him to walk on. He may have taken a schollie to a smaller school or walk on at (shudder) Iowa. Hopefully PR saw something in him that put him a touch above walk on level.

**cybsball20** · 01-15-2009, 04:15 PM

Originally Posted by cyhiphopp

True. We may have not gotten him at all if we only asked him to walk on. He may have taken a schollie to a smaller school or walk on at (shudder) Iowa. Hopefully PR saw something in him that put him a touch above walk on level.

I hope so. I hope he can be a huge player but for some reason, maybe based on Jake's own comments, it seems like a PR scholly more than anything...

**JDDCy** · 01-15-2009, 04:23 PM

Knott had 3 other D1 offers. How often do kids with D1 offers choose to walk-on at another school? Not very often.

**CarolinaCy** · 01-15-2009, 04:24 PM

Not sure if anyone has asked this, but is Jake related to Jim Knott who played for ISU in the early 90s?

**cybsball20** · 01-15-2009, 04:26 PM

Originally Posted by JDDCy

Knott had 3 other D1 offers. How often do kids with D1 offers choose to walk-on at another school? Not very often.

He said on the radio that Northern Illinois was is only D1 offer besides UNI. Kids turn down offers like that all the time to play in BCS conferences, unfortunately for us, most of them go to UNI.

**KMAC_ATTACK** · 01-15-2009, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by cyfan964

I think Knott will be similar to what Jesse Smith brings to the table... may not be the most athletically gifted person on the planet, but will bring it every game.

I have to differ on this one.....

I think Knott is a far superior athlete leaving High School then was/is Jesse Smith and comparable to much better players at the LB position. This kid has the tools, now does he have the desire - thats what separates the great players from the good players - development and work ethic.

Based on Rivals info:
Jesse Smith
Ht - 6'-0"
Wt - 223 lbs
40 - 5.03
Bench reps - 16
Vertical - 24"
Had no offers from any other Div. 1 schools.

Jake Knott
Ht - 6'-3"
Wt - 227 lbs
40 - 4.57
Bench reps - not listed
Bench Max 300
Squat Max - 550 lbs
Vertical 33"
Offers: ISU, Wyoming, Army, Northern Illinois, UNI, North Dakota, South Dakota, South Dakota St. (Not to mention had scholarship offers for Baseball)

It may just be me, but, to me his stats are closer to Chad Greenway then Jesse Smith. If this kid comes in and learns the system, he has all the tools to be a GREAT linebacker. Its all up to him on how and what he wants to become - for ISU fans we hope that he does evolve into Chad Greenway because he was a stud college and evolving pro linebacker!!!!