Iowa State has its next quarterback commitment.
J.J. Kohl announced Monday that he would continue his football career at Iowa State, picking the Cyclones over Iowa, Wisconsin, Pittsburgh, Penn State, Kansas and Missouri, amongst others.
“I’m really excited,” Kohl told CycloneFanatic. “(Committing) frees up some time for me. It’s very fortunate to be in this position. As a little kid, I always dreamt that I would play at a big time school like Iowa State.”
The four-star recruit is rated as the No. 3 prospect in the state of Iowa by 247Sports coming out of Ankeny High School.
Kohl grew up going to Iowa State games and his father, Jamie, was a kicker for the Cyclones in the late 90’s.
“That’s just really special,” Kohl said. “It’s something I’m really thankful for and I can’t wait to get up there and try to do some special things in the future.”
During his junior season as quarterback at Ankeny, Kohl threw for 2,185 yards along with 25 touchdowns and just four interceptions. He led the Hawks to a state championship game appearance.
Below is a 50-plus yard rush that Kohl had during the school’s semifinal game appearance.
Over the off-season Kohl has participated in numerous camps, as well as competing on an Iowa-based 7-on-7 team.
Competing on the team with Kohl is a fellow Iowa State target in Jamison Patton, who will transfer to Ankeny during his senior season as well.
“It is going to be his decision at the end of the day, but I’d love to play with him in college,” Kohl said. “He’s a really special athlete and can do some great things on the field.”
The pair of players are not, by any means, considered a packaged deal. However, landing Kohl should give Iowa State fans a little bit of extra confidence in what school Patton will choose to play at.
Kohl now turns his attention to his high school season and the chase for a state championship with the Hawks.
“That’ll be our goal,” Kohl said. “That’s what we’re going to be working towards. We kind of came up short (last year), but I feel like we’re hungrier now than ever. I think this team will have every opportunity to make it back to the championship game, but we’ll have to work for it.”
Kohl is the Cyclones’ sixth commitment to the 2023 recruiting class and second on the offensive side of the football.
He also becomes the highest rated recruit of the class, coming in with a .8954 on the 247Sports composite rankings.
“I’m just really excited,” Kohl said. “I’m really fired up to be a Cyclone.”
