Iowa State official visit is 3-star OL's second stop in Ames

Earlier this month, and for the second time this year, Iowa State hosted a three-star Illinois offensive lineman and hopes to soon land a commitment from the 2023 prospect.

East St. Louis rising senior Brandon Henderson, who also traveled to Ames in late-January for a junior day, recapped a much more in-depth look at the program.

“I got to see more of the Iowa State campus, as well as the football facility,” said Henderson. “I really enjoyed seeing the Jack Trice statue. The locker room most definitely stood out to me. I enjoyed hanging out with some some of the players. We all got to go paintballing. I also got to talk to the coaches throughout my visit.”

The 6-foot-5, 315-pound Henderson is a three-star prospect with a 5.5 Rivals rating and is considered the 30th overall recruit in Illinois for the 2023 class. Henderson was a position MVP at an UnderArmour camp in Kansas City (Mo.) during the spring.

In addition to Iowa State, he has secured Power-5 offers from Illinois and Nebraska. Other G5 programs have also extended offers.

Henderson was hosted by running back Jirehl Brock, but also spent extended time with current high school teammate Paris Patterson, a four-star offensive guard, and East St. Louis alum and starting lineman Darrell Simmons.

“They all enjoy it up at Iowa State,” Henderson said. “The players mostly hang out with each other. Everyone there outside of the team is also nice.”

A position meeting also highlighted the Illinois three-star’s most recent stop in Ames.

“Coach (Jeff) Myers showed me his plans for me in the future and how I fit in with their offense,” Henderson said. “We discussed where and when I would come in there and play on the line.”