Football Recruiting - Midlands Region: Jake Waters
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Bold Prediction for the Big 12: Kliff Kingsbury saw a lot of success as offensive coordinator at Texas A&M. He’ll see similar success as head coach at Texas Tech.
Baylor
Biggest Need: Offensive linemen to protect the talented skill-position players.
Biggest Recruit: ESPN 150 receiver Robbie Rhodes (Fort Worth, Texas/Southwest) has the tools to be not only a starter but also an all-conference player as a freshman.
Iowa State
Biggest Need: With only one commit at the position, the Cyclones need linebackers.
Biggest Recruit: Four-star offensive tackle Shawn Curtis (Orlando, Fla./Olympia), at 6-foot-6 and 270 pounds, should be a future leader for the Cyclones’ offensive line.
Kansas
Biggest Need: The Jayhawks need a running back or two.
Biggest Recruit: Juco defensive tackle Marquel Combs (Memphis, Tenn./Pierce College) is the No. 3 junior college prospect in the country for a reason. He’s a run-stopper.
Kansas State
Biggest Need: Running back, just like its Sunflower State counterpart.
Biggest Recruit: Linebacker Nick Ramirez (Lee’s Summit, Mo./Lee’s Summit West) is the only four-star commit, but three-star junior college quarterback Jake Waters (Council Bluffs, Iowa/Iowa Western Community College) might be the sleeper of the class.
Oklahoma
Biggest Need: Linebacker is a huge necessity.
Biggest Recruit: If ESPN 150 running back Keith Ford (Cypress, Texas/Cypress Ranch) stays healthy, he could have a promising college career -- which could lead to an NFL opportunity.
Oklahoma State
Biggest Need: The Cowboys need help at quarterback and linebacker.
Biggest Recruit: ESPN 300 receivers Ra’Shaad Samples (Dallas/Skyline) and Marcell Ateman (Wylie, Texas/Wylie East) bring different dynamics but similar results to the football field.
TCU
Biggest Need: Playmaking wide receivers.
Biggest Recruit: ESPN 300 running back Kyle Hicks (Arlington, Texas/Martin) has the potential to be outstanding, but three-star athlete Ty Slanina (East Bernard, Texas/East Bernard) could be stellar at several spots.
Texas
Biggest Need: While Texas is strong on the offensive line, it needs defensive linemen.
Biggest Recruit: ESPN 150 center Darius James (Killeen, Texas/Harker Heights) leads a very talented class of Longhorns offensive linemen.
Texas Tech
Biggest Need: The Red Raiders could use more defensive tackles.
Biggest Recruit: Quarterback Davis Webb (Prosper, Texas/Prosper), an Elite 11 finalist last summer, could be special under the wing of Kliff Kingsbury.
West Virginia
Biggest Need: Players in the secondary.
Biggest Recruit: ESPN 300 inside linebacker Darrien Howard (Dayton, Ohio/Chaminade-Julienne) has the tools to shut down a lot of plays before they even get started.
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Bold Prediction for the Big 12: Kliff Kingsbury saw a lot of success as offensive coordinator at Texas A&M. He’ll see similar success as head coach at Texas Tech.
Baylor
Biggest Need: Offensive linemen to protect the talented skill-position players.
Biggest Recruit: ESPN 150 receiver Robbie Rhodes (Fort Worth, Texas/Southwest) has the tools to be not only a starter but also an all-conference player as a freshman.
Iowa State
Biggest Need: With only one commit at the position, the Cyclones need linebackers.
Biggest Recruit: Four-star offensive tackle Shawn Curtis (Orlando, Fla./Olympia), at 6-foot-6 and 270 pounds, should be a future leader for the Cyclones’ offensive line.
Kansas
Biggest Need: The Jayhawks need a running back or two.
Biggest Recruit: Juco defensive tackle Marquel Combs (Memphis, Tenn./Pierce College) is the No. 3 junior college prospect in the country for a reason. He’s a run-stopper.
Kansas State
Biggest Need: Running back, just like its Sunflower State counterpart.
Biggest Recruit: Linebacker Nick Ramirez (Lee’s Summit, Mo./Lee’s Summit West) is the only four-star commit, but three-star junior college quarterback Jake Waters (Council Bluffs, Iowa/Iowa Western Community College) might be the sleeper of the class.
Oklahoma
Biggest Need: Linebacker is a huge necessity.
Biggest Recruit: If ESPN 150 running back Keith Ford (Cypress, Texas/Cypress Ranch) stays healthy, he could have a promising college career -- which could lead to an NFL opportunity.
Oklahoma State
Biggest Need: The Cowboys need help at quarterback and linebacker.
Biggest Recruit: ESPN 300 receivers Ra’Shaad Samples (Dallas/Skyline) and Marcell Ateman (Wylie, Texas/Wylie East) bring different dynamics but similar results to the football field.
TCU
Biggest Need: Playmaking wide receivers.
Biggest Recruit: ESPN 300 running back Kyle Hicks (Arlington, Texas/Martin) has the potential to be outstanding, but three-star athlete Ty Slanina (East Bernard, Texas/East Bernard) could be stellar at several spots.
Texas
Biggest Need: While Texas is strong on the offensive line, it needs defensive linemen.
Biggest Recruit: ESPN 150 center Darius James (Killeen, Texas/Harker Heights) leads a very talented class of Longhorns offensive linemen.
Texas Tech
Biggest Need: The Red Raiders could use more defensive tackles.
Biggest Recruit: Quarterback Davis Webb (Prosper, Texas/Prosper), an Elite 11 finalist last summer, could be special under the wing of Kliff Kingsbury.
West Virginia
Biggest Need: Players in the secondary.
Biggest Recruit: ESPN 300 inside linebacker Darrien Howard (Dayton, Ohio/Chaminade-Julienne) has the tools to shut down a lot of plays before they even get started.
Garden City (Kan.) Community College quarterback Nick Marshall is ready to make his decision.
The junior college transfer said he will announce his college choice on Tuesday. He’s down to Indiana and Kansas State as his two finalists.
“I already made up my mind on where I’m going,” Marshall said.
The junior college transfer said he will announce his college choice on Tuesday. He’s down to Indiana and Kansas State as his two finalists.
“I already made up my mind on where I’m going,” Marshall said.
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K-State lands junior college teammates
December, 13, 2012
12/13/12
12:19
PM ET
By
Josh Moyer | ESPN.com
Jake Waters, arguably the top junior college quarterback in the country, has committed to play for Kansas State. He was later joined in the Wildcats' class by teammate Devon Nash, a 6-foot-5, 250-pound defensive end.
Waters and Nash become the 13th and 14th members of the Wildcats' 2013 class. Waters joins three-star recruit Jesse Ertz (Mediapolis, Iowa/Mediapolis), becoming the second quarterback of the class. Waters will enroll early and immediately compete for the starting job.
Waters, who told ESPN.com on Monday that he has held the same favorite "for a few weeks," chose Kansas State over Penn State during an announcement this morning on Iowa Western's campus in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Playing time was a priority for him, and he felt he had the best chance to play early on those two teams.
He made an official visit to Penn State on Nov. 17, and Bill O'Brien paid him and his parents an in-home visit Monday. He met with Kansas State coach Del Miller on Wednesday, after going to an official visit this past weekend.
In 12 games this season, Waters passed for 3,501 yards while completing 73 percent of his passes. He had 39 touchdowns to just three interceptions.
Nash selected the Wildcats over offers from Arizona State, Oklahoma State, Memphis, Nevada, San Jose State, Texas Tech and Western Michigan. He took visits to Arizona State, K-State and was slated to visit Oklahoma State this weekend, but won't anymore.
Waters and Nash become the 13th and 14th members of the Wildcats' 2013 class. Waters joins three-star recruit Jesse Ertz (Mediapolis, Iowa/Mediapolis), becoming the second quarterback of the class. Waters will enroll early and immediately compete for the starting job.
Waters, who told ESPN.com on Monday that he has held the same favorite "for a few weeks," chose Kansas State over Penn State during an announcement this morning on Iowa Western's campus in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Playing time was a priority for him, and he felt he had the best chance to play early on those two teams.
He made an official visit to Penn State on Nov. 17, and Bill O'Brien paid him and his parents an in-home visit Monday. He met with Kansas State coach Del Miller on Wednesday, after going to an official visit this past weekend.
In 12 games this season, Waters passed for 3,501 yards while completing 73 percent of his passes. He had 39 touchdowns to just three interceptions.
Nash selected the Wildcats over offers from Arizona State, Oklahoma State, Memphis, Nevada, San Jose State, Texas Tech and Western Michigan. He took visits to Arizona State, K-State and was slated to visit Oklahoma State this weekend, but won't anymore.
Iowa Western C.C. announcements chat
December, 13, 2012
12/13/12
12:00
AM ET
By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
Junior-college All-Americans Jake Waters and Devon Nash will announce their college decisions at 11:30 a.m. ET Thursday. Waters, a quarterback, is expected to announce between Penn State and Kansas State. Nash, a defensive end, will pick between K-State and Oklahoma State.
RecruitingNation reporter Mitch Sherman will be at the announcement. Follow his updates and engage with RecruitingNation reporters Josh Moyer and Jeremy Crabtree before and after the decisions below.
RecruitingNation reporter Mitch Sherman will be at the announcement. Follow his updates and engage with RecruitingNation reporters Josh Moyer and Jeremy Crabtree before and after the decisions below.
Jake Waters, Devon Nash set to announce 
December, 12, 2012
12/12/12
10:51
PM ET
By
Mitch Sherman | ESPN.com
Thursday is decision day at Iowa Western Community College.
With quarterback Jake Waters already set to make his college choice known between Kansas State and Penn State, defensive end Devon Nash said Wednesday night that he would also announce his commitment. K-State and Oklahoma State are finalists for Nash.
Waters threw for 3,501 yards, completing 244 of 333 passes with 39 touchdowns and three interceptions, in helping the Reivers to a 12-0 finish and No. 1 final ranking in the NJCAA poll.
With quarterback Jake Waters already set to make his college choice known between Kansas State and Penn State, defensive end Devon Nash said Wednesday night that he would also announce his commitment. K-State and Oklahoma State are finalists for Nash.
Waters threw for 3,501 yards, completing 244 of 333 passes with 39 touchdowns and three interceptions, in helping the Reivers to a 12-0 finish and No. 1 final ranking in the NJCAA poll.
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Waters talks visit, to announce Thursday
December, 10, 2012
12/10/12
10:40
PM ET
By
Josh Moyer | ESPN.com
Jake Waters' parents ushered Bill O'Brien inside their home on a frigid Monday, escorting him to the dining-room table where a spread of crackers, brownies and water awaited.
The juco quarterback's starstruck younger brother asked the coach for an autograph, and Waters' parents were eager to pepper the Penn Stater with questions: Could the Iowa Western quarterback start there? What were the academics like? Would he fit in OK since PSU doesn't usually take junior college players?
Waters said he's known "for a few weeks" now whom he's leaning toward. He declined to disclose that favorite -- he said he'll announce his decision Thursday -- but he said this in-home visit and Wednesday's upcoming visit with Kansas State's coaches were more for his parents' benefit.
The juco quarterback's starstruck younger brother asked the coach for an autograph, and Waters' parents were eager to pepper the Penn Stater with questions: Could the Iowa Western quarterback start there? What were the academics like? Would he fit in OK since PSU doesn't usually take junior college players?
Waters said he's known "for a few weeks" now whom he's leaning toward. He declined to disclose that favorite -- he said he'll announce his decision Thursday -- but he said this in-home visit and Wednesday's upcoming visit with Kansas State's coaches were more for his parents' benefit.
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Waters receives special call from Klein
December, 9, 2012
12/09/12
9:27
PM ET
By
Mitch Sherman | ESPN.com
A postscript to today's report on Iowa Western Community College quarterback Jake Waters:
Waters, while on his visit to Kansas State, received a call Saturday night from K-State co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Del Miller minutes after the Heisman Trophy was awarded. Miller, in New York, handed the phone to Collin Klein, who finished third in the Heisman balloting.
“I was really surprised that it was Collin,” Waters said. “He just told me that Kansas State was a great place.”
Waters, while on his visit to Kansas State, received a call Saturday night from K-State co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Del Miller minutes after the Heisman Trophy was awarded. Miller, in New York, handed the phone to Collin Klein, who finished third in the Heisman balloting.
“I was really surprised that it was Collin,” Waters said. “He just told me that Kansas State was a great place.”
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Juco QB Jake Waters nears decision
December, 9, 2012
12/09/12
7:19
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
One of the top junior college quarterbacks in the country is ready to make a decision.
Jake Waters (Council Bluffs, Iowa/Iowa Western C.C.) took his final official visit this past weekend, which went to Kansas State. Now, he will decide between the Big 12 and the Big Ten.
“It’s pretty much K-State and Penn State right now,” the 6-foot-2, 215-pound Waters said.
Jake Waters (Council Bluffs, Iowa/Iowa Western C.C.) took his final official visit this past weekend, which went to Kansas State. Now, he will decide between the Big 12 and the Big Ten.
“It’s pretty much K-State and Penn State right now,” the 6-foot-2, 215-pound Waters said.
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Texas and is where Big 12 programs make a living recruiting. However, with the deep talent pool in the Lone Star State, teams from all over the country flock to the Midlands to find players.
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