The recent decision by highly-touted recruit Jett Thomalla to flip his commitment from Iowa State to Alabama might, at first glance, appear to be a setback for the Cyclones. Losing a prospect to a program now led by Kalen DeBoer, with Alabama’s unparalleled legacy of championships and NFL talent, could be seen as a familiar narrative: the blue-blood school swooping in. However, a deeper analysis reveals this development is, in fact, a powerful testament to Iowa State’s escalating prowess in recruiting and their rising stature in college football.The very notion that Iowa State was able to secure a commitment