In a two-week, four-day period that ISU football coach Matt Campbell could only describe as a “whirlwind,” Iowa State focused primarily on reeling in junior college transfers that could make an immediate impact next season.

All of that hard work over that time has come to fruition for Campbell and his staff Wednesday, as the Cyclones picked up five mid-year recruits. The list consists of two defensive backs, two offensive linemen and a tight end.

“I think we got every junior college guy that we went after, which is exactly what we wanted to accomplish,” Campbell said. “So that part I really felt good about. I thought it was a great win for our staff today to get what we were looking for from a junior college standpoint.”

Campbell started his recruiting at Iowa State the same night he found out he had the head coaching job, on Nov. 28. He started to call his staff at Toledo, particularly the coaches he knew were coming with him to Ames. 

Three of the signees were contacted by Toledo before Campbell came to Ames, which gave the coaching staff a chance to hit the ground running.

“I think three of the five were guys that we knew of,” Campbell said. “You knew we couldn’t touch them at that time, but we knew of [them] and had communication prior to [coming to Iowa State]. And I think that really helped us get the opportunity to get here and make a bigger platform to be a part of.”

All five of the players were targeted in part because of the depth and versatility they can bring to positions that were lacking in 2015, particularly the offensive line and defensive backs. 

Both position groups faced multiple injuries and had a lack of players to fill into starting roles. The offensive line particularly will take a hit next season after losing four seniors to graduation.

“We’ve added some pieces that certainly can come in and give us some depth,” Campbell said. “The great teams that I’ve been around have had great depth. Obviously, I don’t know what our depth looks like or feels like right now by any stretch of the imagination, but each guy has got the ability to play and certainly interesting to see where they fall in mix.”

The crown jewel of this early signing period class is defensive back Thadd Daniels. Daniels, a Compton, Calif., native, was ranked the fifth-best junior college defensive back in the nation. The coaching staff didn’t know if Daniels was coming to Iowa State because he was waiting to announce his commitment Wednesday.

But on Monday, the news leaked that he was signing his letter of intent to come to Ames.

“Defensive backs in this league are obviously at a premium, and Thadd’s ability to play safety and corner are really what makes him such a multi-dimensional threat in this whole thing,” Campbell said. “He was probably our No. 1 in terms of trying to get him and be part of our program.”

Both of the offensive linemen, Oge Udeogu and Karson Green, were brought in to bolster the offensive line. Odeogu will likely have a chance to play on the line right off the bat, and Green could jump into the guard or center position.

“Great football teams certainly have a great foundation on the offensive line,” Campbell said. 

The next signing day falls on Feb. 3, where the high school commitments will start to pour into the program.