James Bailey, Lake Travis Football Scout.com article, "Bailey Gets ISU Offer, Wants to Visit"

Jun 04, 2014 | 09:01 am

Bailey Gets ISU Offer, Wants to Visit

Trey ScottAllCyclones Publisher

Lake Travis' James Bailey could be a massive outside linebacker, a defensive end or a pass-rush specialist at the next level. Iowa State is in great standing after offering Monday night.

By the time James Bailey leaves Lake Travis (TX) after this season, he'll have played both linebacker and safety, which makes him a perfect fit for Iowa State's hybrid nickelback position.

However, if the 2015 Bailey keeps growing, he'll become a totally different defensive weapon.
"I'm supposed to be around 6-foot-4," said Bailey, who's currently 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds. "And wherever I got to college I'd put on the weight and become an outside linebacker.

"I'm aggressive, I get off blocks, I'm a very physical tackler and I love to hit. I don't back down."
With that size, Bailey could be a massive outside linebacker, a defensive end or a pass-rush specialist at the next level. Iowa State is in great standing after offering Monday night.

"Whenever I got the call I was really happy and I went downstairs to tell my Dad and I had a little smirk on my face," Bailey said Tuesday. "He gave me a big 'ole hug."

ISU assistant coach Tommy Mangino is the lead recruiter in the Central Texas area.  "I really like him a lot, he reminds me a little bit of the coaches here, which is really cool," Bailey said of the 30-year-old Mangino. "He made a good impression. I can play safety, I can play outside linebacker, I'm fast and I'm very physical."

A first-team All District selection in 2013, Bailey amassed 89 tackles (45 solo), made 13 tackles for loss, including four sacks, and picked off one pass as an outside linebacker. He's moving to safety this season for the Cavaliers.

The Cyclones join Texas State, North Texas, New Mexico and Nevada on Bailey's offer sheet, but their conference affiliation sets them apart.

"Playing in the Big 12, that'd be really cool because I'd see some of my old teammates," he said. "Baker Mayfield at OU, Griffin Gilbert and Shawn Nixon at TCU.

"[The Cyclones] have a winning tradition, have a really nice campus and a great facility there. So far I like all the coaches I've talked to."

Bailey moved to Austin from Ohio in sixth grade and has no misgivings about the Midwest weather. He'll try to get to Ames before the season begins, potentially with Lake Travis QB Dom DeLira, a fellow ISU target, who's coming in mid-June.

"Visits-wise, I'll go to all the colleges that have offered and go to camps if they want me to," Bailey said. "I'll probably decide before the season starts."