McDonald visit strengthens commitment

Iowa State’s first verbal for the Class of 2018 took his second visit to Ames in late June for the Friday Night Lights camp and said the experience has strengthened his commitment.

Waukesha (Wisc.) North rising senior Will McDonald, who chose the Cyclones in late-February, said he enjoyed working with members of head coach Matt Campbell’s staff.

“This was my first football camp going to ever, and I really enjoyed it,” said McDonald, who was hosted by Jamahl Johnson. “It was the furthest triple jump I’ve ever had. I also enjoyed the exercises and they were hardcore. We did them an extra five times. After that, we got loose and did some one-on-ones. Everything went well after that.

“The coaches were all really cool. I would recommend Coach Rasheed to anybody. He’s going to be my coach, since I’m being recruited to play defensive end. We have a good connection. He’s a pretty good coach. He leads kids and gets them ready and prepared.”

Now a few weeks removed from his latest trip to I-State, McDonald looks back on it and said the experience only reaffirmed his thoughts on the program.

“My commitment to Iowa State was pretty strong from the get-go and I liked it when I went there because of the atmosphere,” McDonald said. “I know most people there anyway, but this latest trip I made a better connection and feel even more comfortable with the place. I’ve got good connections with the coaches and we’re practically a family now.”

The 6-foot-5, 200-pound defensive end also had a conversation with Campbell himself.

“It wasn’t really a sit-down,” McDonald said. “We just kind of talked during the course of the day. I couldn’t even wait to shake his hand and was so happy to be there. He’s a pretty chill coach. He doesn’t blow up everything. He’s one of those coaches that makes everybody great, builds up their confidence and doing what they do.”

Since his commitment, McDonald has remained in contact with a few members of the staff and said he communicated with assistant coach Jim Hofher yesterday.

“We’re in contact about every week,” McDonald said. “We FaceTime each other and see how each other’s doing. I need to get back in touch with him because I’m going to try to get an official visit set up for the Iowa game, so I can go down there and hang out with the players, watch the game and see how they play. The atmosphere should be amazing.”