AMES — The Iowa State football program finalized its 2018 recruiting class by adding three players for next season, Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell announced today.

The three signees joined 18 players who inked with the Cyclones in December to increase their class total to 21.

Iowa State signed four-star recruit Joseph Scates (WR), Arizona’s Gatorade Player of the Year Brock Purdy (QB) and all-state receiver Tayvonn Kyle (WR) to a letter of intent today.

Scates is a two-time all-state wide receiver from Dayton, Ohio who is ranked as the No. 136 player nationally according to Rivals. Both Rivals and 247Sports rated Scates as a four-star recruit.

Purdy’s recruitment went down to the wire, as the two-time all-state selection picked the Cyclones over late offers from Alabama and Texas A&M. A native of Gilbert, Ariz., Purdy broke Arizona Class 6A records by throwing for 4,405 yards and 57 touchdowns. He also rushed for 1,016 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Kyle, a native of Valdosta, Ga., was a first-team all-state selection in 2017.

Campbell continued his outstanding efforts on the recruiting trail. The 2018 Cyclone group is ranked No. 50 nationally by 247Sports and No. 51 by Rivals. Iowa State’s composite total of .8481 by 247Sports is the highest ranking in school history.

Klemp signs with Iowa

IOWA CITY — The University of Iowa football team put finishing touches on its 2018 recruiting class Wednesday, signing three new players — Jayden McDonald from Georgia, Kaevon Merriweather from Michigan, and Logan Klemp from South Hamilton (Jewell, Iowa).

“We have a great class of 22 signees and we’re happy about that,” said Hawkeyes head coach Ferentz. “All 22 have a clear understanding of what it takes to be a Hawkeye. Clearly that process will continue to move forward, but I think it’s a great start.”

Ferentz also was pleased with Iowa’s walk-on group — 18 players in all. Fourteen of the signees are Iowa natives, two hail from Wisconsin, and one is from Illinois and Nebraska. Reinbeck native Colton Dinsdale, who played his first two years at Iowa Western Community College, is among them.

“A number of those players and prospects turned down scholarship offers at other programs,” said Ferentz. “That says a lot about their commitment to play here and their desire to play at the University of Iowa.”

Ferentz confirmed the departure of running back Marcel Joly, offensive lineman Lucas LeGrand, and quarterback Ryan Boyle. Joly and Boyle will transfer to play, joining quarterback Tyler Wiegers, who transferred to Eastern Michigan following the season. LeGrand will graduate.

Ferentz also said two of the incoming “athletes” — Samson Evans and Tyrone Tracy, Jr. — may get looks at the running back position to bolster Iowa’s depth.

Iowa will begin spring practices March 21 and the Hawkeyes will hold their annual spring game on Friday, April 20, inside Kinnick Stadium.