Sharing familiar values

The state’s top-rated offensive line recruit in the class of 2018 has made his college selection.

Creston’s own Trevor Downing decided that he was ready to be a part of Matt Campbell’s “Process.”

Downing plans to join the Iowa State Cyclones football team while furthering his education by pursuing an Ag Business degree, beginning in the fall of 2018.

Downing’s verbal commitment, which is not binding, means that he intends on taking his brute strength to the Cyclone offensive line where he is likely play guard in the future.

A 6-5, 290-pound junior and soon to be rising senior, Downing is just happy to have the process over with.

Social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook blew up with coverage about how big of a pickup this was for Iowa State’s program. National recruiting services like 247 sports claiming Downing’s signing was the biggest for the program since Iowa State signed Urbandale native, and current senior star receiver, Allen Lazard several years ago.

Coaches such as Campbell and offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Tom Manning told Downing they like his nastiness while finishing blocks in between whistles and his easy-going nature when off the field.

“Easy-going ... ,” Downing said. “Then I just flip the fuse. That’s what they like.”

Iowa State came after Downing hard, winning out on his future football career over the likes of offers from Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas State and Missouri.

For the Panther, Iowa State’s eagerness to establish a relationship won him over. He has felt at ease and filled with excitement in his visits to Ames. The proximity of Ames to Creston, a shade under two hours away, was another draw.

“It just feels like home to me. Iowa State does. That’s huge. My mom and dad felt really comfortable,” Downing said.

Downing feels that the image and actions that the program puts forth and practices coincides with what he believes.

“They pretty much have the same values as my family, that’s for sure,” Downing said.

The Cyclone coaching staff went above and beyond to make Downing’s family feel included. His family members have had in-depth conversations with the coaching staff and with employees of the university, who showed Downing around ISU’s student-run farm.

That was a big selling point for a farm kid like Downing. No school could offer quite what Iowa State did in that department.

When it was obvious how much Lesa Downing, Trevor’s mother, liked the school, that was just another drop in the bucket.

Downing’s great-grandfather Paul, an agricultural patriarch within the family, had reason to become even more of an Iowa State fan when they started pursuing Trevor intenely as a sophomore. Reading letters from the football coaches filled Paul with pride.

Paul Downing passed away in mid-April at the age of 95, but in Downing’s mind, a Cyclone-loving soul remains.

“He’s definitely probably smiling down tonight, that’s for sure,” Downing said.

Just like Creston natives are smiling at the thought of one of their own making the decison to spread the town’s influence and values to Ames.