The Cyclones are going head-to-head with a pair of other Power-5 schools in the early-going for an offensive lineman from a St. Louis (Mo.) suburb.

Maryland Heights Pattonville guard Marquis Hayes took an unofficial visit to Iowa State this past weekend along with Class of 2018 quarterback teammate Kaleb Eleby.

For the 6-foot-5, 315-pound Hayes, the trip was an eye-opening experience since he hadn’t been in Ames before.

Hayes said the highlight of his day was meeting with head coach Matt Campbell and offensive line coach Tom Manning, who went into detail with him on how he’d fit into the I-State program.

For more on Hayes’ recruitment and how ISU stacks up at this stage of the process, check out a more-detailed story on the ISU Confidential message board.