Iowa State just lost its top commitment in the 2027 class, and it’s a tough one to spin in a positive light. Four-star offensive lineman Will Slagle has officially decommitted from the program, reopening his recruitment less than three weeks after giving the Cyclones his verbal pledge. He did mention that he is still considering Iowa State in his recruitment, but things have changed.
Slagle is a 6-foot-4, 280-pound interior lineman out of Grinnell, Iowa, and he’s one of the best prospects in the state for 2027. He currently checks in as the country’s 198th-ranked player, the 10th-ranked player at his position, and the top-ranked player in the state of Iowa.
He committed back on November 22, just after Senior Day, when Matt Campbell was still running the show in Ames. Now, he’s gone, and that clearly shifted things for Slagle.
In a statement on social media, Slagle said the decision came after “a lot of prayer and heartfelt conversations” with family and coaches. He thanked Iowa State for believing in him, said the program is still under consideration, but made it clear he needs to reassess now that things have changed.
This one stings. Iowa State didn’t just lose a highly ranked player; they lost an elite player in the 2027 class. When you’re breaking in a new head coach and trying to reestablish in-state recruiting ties, this isn’t the kind of news you want popping up on a Tuesday morning. Jimmy Rogers already had his work cut out for him. Now, the pressure to build a class from scratch just got turned up a notch.
There’s also the timing. Slagle committed to a staff that’s no longer there, and he pulled back before the new staff even had a real shot to build a relationship. That’s fair. Kids want stability, and when your lead recruiters bounce, it makes sense to take a step back.
Slagle is going to be a hot commodity now. With his size, mobility, and early tape, there’s no shortage of programs that’ll be calling. The question is whether Iowa State can stay in the mix or if they’ve already lost him for good.
It’s early, but losing your top pledge before the new staff even gets going is never ideal.
