Iowa State’s Class of 2027 is getting plenty of run at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam, and Donovan Davis made the most of Day 2 on July 15.
The Cyclones have three commits in the event: Davis and Jack Kohnen with Team Herro, and Josiah Harrington with Brad Beal Elite. With their college futures already settled, all three can play with a little more freedom than most of their peers. That’s a good setup for Iowa State, which has a class currently ranked No. 1 by 247Sports.
Davis, though, was the one drawing the loudest praise after the second day of action. Jamie Shaw of Rivals singled out the four-star forward for the way he impacted the game on both ends.
“4-star F Donovan Davis (Iowa State) does well using his length as a mismatch. He defended both forward spots here and finished plays both in the half court and in transition,” Shaw wrote.
That versatility is a big part of why Iowa State went after him in the first place. Davis uses his size well, whether he’s getting by bigger, slower defenders or taking smaller ones inside for cleaner looks at the rim. He also has the kind of defensive flexibility that should help him earn minutes early in his Cyclones career.
There’s also a passing element to his game that stands out. Shaw noted that part too.
“The piece of Davis’ game that intrigues the most might be his passing. The 6-foot-7 forward finished with 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists in the Team Herro win,” Shaw added.
That kind of all-around line fits the mold Iowa State has been leaning into. It’s also part of why Tre Singleton transferred to Iowa State from Northwestern a few months ago, and why Davis is excited about what’s ahead in Ames.
The Freedom High School product has plenty to work with, and the Cyclones staff has already shown it knows how to bring that out.
In Other News...
Matt Campbell Era Ends With Iowa State Fans Needing Answers
After 10 seasons guiding Iowa State football, Matt Campbell has moved on, ending one of the most stable and defining eras in program history. He met with his players before leaving, and the Cyclones quickly turned the page by announcing Jimmy Rogers as the next coach, giving the fan base an immediate sense of the direction the school wants to take after a long run under Campbell.
The timing of the news only added to the intrigue, with Iowa States coaching change surfacing in close succession to the next chapter elsewhere. For Cyclones fans, the bigger question now is less about how the move happened than what comes next, as the program tries to steady itself around a new voice while processing the loss of the coach who had become the face of the team. [Read more 🡒]
Jaylen Raynor Is Already Giving Iowa State A New-Era Leader
With a new coaching staff in place and a roster full of fresh faces, Iowa State is already leaning on Jaylen Raynor to help set the tone for what comes next. The quarterback is expected to enter camp as the starter for 2026, and first-year coach Jimmy Rogers has noticed how quickly Raynor has stepped into a leadership role while building real connections with teammates on and off the field.
Rogers pointed to the way Raynor has handled the turnover around him, making an effort to learn names fast and bring people together in a locker room that is still taking shape. The bonding has spilled beyond practice, with players spending time together in casual settings, and for Iowa State that kind of early chemistry could matter as much as anything when the real competition for the job and the season ahead arrives. [Read more 🡒]