Since hosting the prospect for a Junior Day this winter, Iowa State has followed up steadily with a top Class of 2017 offensive lineman from a St. Louis, Missouri, suburb.

Maryland Heights Pattonville junior Marquis Hayes took a visit to Iowa State a few months ago and said he continues to feel the love from a coaching staff that’s been persistent.

I-State coaches have certainly made Missouri’s fifth-ranked recruit for the Class of 2017 and #17 offensive guard overall in the country feel important.

Although the 6-foot-5, 315-pound Hayes did not make it to Ames over the spring to see an ISU practice, he is looking ahead to a visit during the month of May. He’s targeting a weekend stop after a pair of camp commitments in Columbus, Ohio (Nike) and Kansas City (Rivals).

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.