Football Recruiting Updates | The End of the Sorsby Saga | Iowa State Cyclones LIVE #70
Episode Notes: Football Recruiting Updates | The End of the Sorsby Saga | Iowa State Cyclones LIVE #70 Hosts: Levi Stevenson & Carter Hanson Network: Voice of College Football (IowaStateVOCFB) Length: ~1 hour 7 minutes Date: June 16, 2026 (based on recent commits and context) Main Topics: Iowa State’s latest football recruiting commits (film breakdowns), the resolution of the Brennan Sorsby situation at Texas Tech, quick basketball recruiting notes, and class outlook.
00:00 – INTRO & BANTER
* Welcome and co-host update: Carter Hanson in new house (unpacking ongoing, necessities like TV and Duke string set up).
* Teaser: Iowa State’s Hall of Football recruits from the past week + Brennan Sorsby/Texas Tech resolution.
00:15 – IOWA STATE FOOTBALL RECRUITING UPDATES (RECENT COMMITS)
Hosts review new commits with offer lists, ratings (247), physical profiles, film analysis (mostly huddle/YouTube tape), positional fit in Iowa State’s scheme (aggressive 4-2-5/hybrid fronts, emphasis on length, speed, and camp evaluations).
1. Damarian Williams (DL/Edge, 6'4" 225, Alabama) – Committed yesterday
* Rating: ~.878 (slight bump recently; steady 87-88 range).
* Offers: Mississippi State, Wake Forest, Tulane, USF, Troy, Southern Miss, Marshall + G5s.
* Film: Plays mostly Mike LB now but body type/athleticism screams edge rusher (long arms, bend, explosion). Good run defender, filters through traffic, eyes in backfield.
* Fit: Likely edge in ISU’s scheme; frame to add 20-25 lbs. Comfortable moving forward more than backpedaling. Wake Forest connection via coaching ties.
* Overall: Solid Southern get with camp/in-person eval upside.
2. Leslie Woodson (Edge, ~6'4" 228, Fort Wayne, IN) – Committed yesterday
* Rating: .87 range.
* Offers: Heavy MAC (Northern Illinois, etc.), Mountain West (former MAC).
* Film: Hand-in-dirt edge rusher archetype similar to Williams projection. Strong run defender, swim moves, gap shooting, quickness off the line. Nose for the ball, sheds blocks well. Limited pure pass-rush reps vs. elite competition.
* Context: Camp offer that “blew up” after in-person eval. Exposure issue possible due to northern Indiana location.
* Fit: Long, rangy edge with bend; needs pass-rush refinement but raw tools evident.
3. Keyshawn Williams (CB, 6'1" 178, Orlando, FL) – Recent commit
* Rating: .86.
* Offers: Nebraska, Pitt, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Louisville + lower levels.
* Film: Big-time track speed + length. Strong in man coverage (Iowa State runs >50% man). Good tackling, doesn’t bite on double moves, recovers with speed. Florida pipeline (Jontez Williams, etc.).
* Fit: High-end speed and man-coverage traits align with defensive scheme needs.
4. “Special” Henry (LB/Edge, 6'2" 195, Texas) – Recent commit
* Rating: Bumped to .86.
* Offers: SMU (ACC), Tulane, CUSA, Mountain West, Pac-12 level.
* Film: Versatile (edge rush, run defense, special teams, space as nickel/WLB). Good speed, physical tackler, chases well. Comfortable in space but better downhill.
* Fit: Hybrid LB/safety type or edge; scheme favors aggressive, run-heavy hybrids (e.g., Willie Breland mention). Can add weight.
5. Shahariam (or Shaharia) Thurston (CB, 6'1" 175, Arlington, TX area) – Recent flip from Colorado State
* Offers: Baylor, Kansas State, Texas Tech, TCU, Louisville + others. Strong Texas footprint.
* Film: Man coverage reps, physical tackler, track background (110H, high jump), reported 4.45 forty. Some stance/hip quirks to clean up.
* Context: Good flip beating Big 12/Texas schools. Smart kid with Ivy offers too.
6. William Bowers (K, 5-star per specialist rankings, Elizabeth, TN)
* Top-10 kicker (Jamie Cole’s group).
* Film: Strong leg, accurate on 42+ yarders.
* Context: ISU history with specialist rankings (Cole Netton, etc.). Positive addition for special teams.
Additional Notes:
* Many camp offers; heavy emphasis on in-person evals over huddle tape.
* Theme: Length, speed (especially defense), system fits. Class currently ~22 commits, targeting 45-50 range overall (composite stronger with a couple 4-stars).
* Quick mentions: Drew Bergfeld (LB, Western Dubuque, bumped to .85), Josh McCarthy (.88), Joey Massey (.86).
~35:00+ – BRENNAN SORSBY SAGA RESOLUTION & BROADER DISCUSSION
* Update: Sorsby entering supplemental NFL draft, leaving Texas Tech. Ends the two-week saga.
* Background: Gambling incidents (betting on own team games while suited up). Mental health/gambling addiction acknowledged.
* Texas Tech response criticized: Defensive video with coaches/admins, legal threats via Texas AG, perceived PR missteps.
* Hosts’ take: Frustrating defense of playing him; resources for recovery yes, but not on-field participation. Irreparable harm argument seen as overreach. Bad look for program reputation.
* Supplemental draft context: For ineligible players (gambling, academics, etc.). Historical successes rare but include notable names (Josh Gordon, Chris Carter, etc.). Sorsby’s NFL path now via this route.
* Broader: Gambling culture in sports, conference bylaws, integrity questions.
BASKETBALL RECRUITING QUICK HITS
* Iowa State #1 in 2027 class (early aggression on targets).
* Jack Conan (Wisconsin, elite shooter – Brent Bloom praise; Matt Thomas comp).
* Josiah Harrington, Donovan Davis. TJ Otzelberger locked in.
* Strong program outlook under Otzelberger.
CLOSING & OUTLOOK
* Class nearly full; few OV spots left (e.g., Cash Hollingshead QB visit).
* Focus shifts to season; early class completion by design.
* Positive on system fits despite modest ranking projection.
* Sign-off: Go Cyclones.
Key Takeaways: Iowa State continues building depth with athletic, scheme-specific defensive pieces via camp/in-person focus. Sorsby saga concluded with player exiting, drawing commentary on program handling. Solid foundation for both football and basketball recruiting under current staffs.
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