Fresh off Ames visit, Willich says ISU remains in great shape
The coaching staff in Ames has helped keep Iowa State at the forefront of a 2022 Kansas City (Mo.) area linebacker’s recruitment.
Blue Springs junior Carson Willich, in an exclusive one-on-one interview with CycloneReport.com on Wednesday, said his connection with Matt Campbell and company has been difficult to match for the other schools on his offer list.
“One of the main things for me was when Coach Campbell signed that contract,” said Willich. “I wouldn’t be as interested if he didn’t sign that contract. That’s a positive, as well as their record last year. They’re going to be really good again this year.
Iowa State’s entire coaching staff is the big thing for me. Their coaches are really cool compared to all the other ones I’ve talked to. They really bond with the kids they talk to.”
A number of coaches have remained in steady contact with Willich, including area recruiter Nate Scheelhaase and position coach Tyson Veidt.
“I talk to Coach Nate (Scheelhaase) all the time and just talked to him (Tuesday),” he said. “I also talked to Campbell (Tuesday) and I talk to him a lot now. They talk about how much they like me as a football player and person. It’s just the whole package with them. We’ve really gotten to know each other on a personal basis.”
While the coaches had already given the 6-foot-1, 205-pound linebacker a positive impression, it was important for him to see Iowa State for himself. He and defensive end teammate Ikenna Ezeogu, who also has an offer, checked that off the list in late-February.
“We went up there a few weeks ago and got to walk around the campus,” Willich said. “It was really nice. The new renovations are huge and those were probably the coolest things we saw. Also, the campus is wide open so I thought that was cool. I’m thinking about majoring in business, so we went by that area and saw all of that. I looked it up and their campus town ranks like fifth nationally, so that was nice.”
Willich, who recorded 48 tackles, 12 tackles-for-loss and one interception as a junior, said he’s being pursued to play returning starter Jake Hummel’s spot.
“(Veidt and I) have done positions meetings twice now and were supposed to do another one this week, but my schedule is busy with (7-on-7) football,” he said. “Next week, we’re supposed to watching the sky cams out in the middle of the field. We’ve watched all the Big 12 games and talked about my position, which is the WILL backer position.
“I would say my athleticism, getting from point A to B, and how fast I am on the field is the big thing for them. They want me to start at WILL, but told me I could play all three and am pretty versatile. I like how the (3-3-5 defense) gives you room to run around to make tackles, instead of having to stay in the box.”
Willich, whose father Corey is the principal at Park Hill High school where Iowa State freshman wide receiver Jaylin Noel attended, said he’s confided in the former area standout.
“I’ve talked to Jaylin two times on the phone and we talk on Instagram,” Willich said. “He thinks it’s been a really good idea for him to go at semester. He said you’re going to be so much further ahead of the kids that come in the summer.”
In addition to his Power-5 offer from Iowa State, Willich has ones from Kansas, Kansas State, Louisville, Minnesota and Washington State.
