Iowa State Snags Under-the-Radar In-State 2017 LB O’Rien Vance

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

One way to ensure success in recruiting, no matter the geographic location, win your state. For first-year Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell, he pulled off a very successful 2016 recruiting class after taking over for Paul Rhodes on Nov. 29. The sights have been immediately set forward on the 2017 class with an early win landing in-state linebacker O’Rien Vance.

Vance, listed at 6’2”, 210 pounds, helped George Washington High School in Cedar Rapids to a 10-2 mark in 2015. The Warriors made a nice three-game run into the Iowa High School Playoffs before falling to Kennedy (Cedar Rapids) 21-7. Vance was highly productive during his junior campaign coming up with 92.5 tackles, four sacks, and two interceptions. Vance earned Area Defensive MVP of the Year honors for his play on the field in 2015.

The Warriors used Vance on the outside as an edge rusher and hard downhill run stopper.

The Cyclones now have two verbal commits to their 2017 recruiting class with Vance joining dual-threat quarterback Devon Moore. Moore verbally committed to ISU on Nov. 30, 2015. Campbell jumped on Vance before he had a chance to make the college camp circuit gaining more offers along the way. ISU offered Vance on Dec. 16 closing the deal on Feb. 15.

Iowa State 2017 Verbal Commitment List

LB O’Rien Vance, 6-2, 210, George Washington HS, Cedar Rapids, IA

QB Devon Moore, 6-4, 215, Waterloo West HS, Waterloo, IA

Photo credit: thegazette.com; No. 24 Vance signals Warriors ball after a fumble.