Georgia tight end commits to ISU

A prospect doesn't drive 13 hours for a June unofficial visit unless he is very interested in a school.

Iowa State found out just how interested Stone Mountain (Ga.) Stephenson tight end Dennis Wonnum was on Saturday as Wonnum committed to the Cyclones. Wonnum - who also goes by "D.J." - made the long drive north to check out ISU in person after being offered earlier this spring.

"It's been about a month since I first got my offer," Wonnum said. "Coach Linguist came to my school during spring ball and I met him one time. Then we talked a lot on the phone and on twitter. I had a great visit and now I am on my way back home now. It's about 13 hours so it's a long drive."

Wonnum said he had one other Power 5 conference offer in California, along with a number of non-P5 offers, such as Memphis, USF, Miami (Ohio), Cincinnati and Colorado State. He said the chance to play tight end in Iowa State's offense was a deciding factor in his decision.

"They use the tight end a lot in their offense, it's a good offense for tight ends," said Wonnum. "I like offense and defense both the same, I will play whatever. But being a tight end at Iowa State is a good spot for me. They need someone like me who can play attached or split out to slot and line up there."

Wonnum, who is 6-foot-3 and about 220 pounds, has also been targeted as a defensive end prospect by some schools.

If Wonnum signs with Iowa State in February, he'll be the first Stephenson product to become a Cyclone after ISU decided to recruit Georgia a couple of years ago. Iowa State has offered a number of Stephenson players prior to this year. Secondary coach Maurice Linguist is the Cyclones' recruiting point man in Georgia.