AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State football program pulled another recruiting coup Wednesday, inking a pair of Junior College All-Americans who will join the Cyclones for the start of the second semester. Iowa Western running back Aaron Wimberly and Arizona Western tight end Emmanuel Bibbs were both junior college All-Americans in 2012.
Wimberly rushed for 1,150 yards and 13 touchdowns as Iowa Western completed a 12-0 season last month en route to the NJCAA national title. Bibbs caught 22 passes for 230 yards and six TDs for an 8-2 Arizona Western team.
Also joining the Iowa State fold are high schoolers Alton Meeks and Shawn Curtis of Orlando, Fla. Meeks is a 6-3, 240-pound linebacker and Curtis is a 6-5, 270-pound offensive lineman. Wimberly and the two high school standouts will start school at Iowa State in January.
Alton Meeks
Linebacker
6-3, 240, Fr.
Orlando, Fla. (Dr. Phillips/Boone/Oviedo)
High School: Was selected as a member of the Orlando Sentinel Super 60 as a junior and senior … his Dr. Phillips High School team was 13-1 this season and was regional champion … member of the Miami Herald Super 60 as a junior playing at Boone (Fla.) High School … team made the playoffs his junior season … former state Greco-Roman wrestling prep All-American … coached in high school by Wes Allen.
Personal: Born April 5, 1994 in Gainesville, Fla. … son of Sanford and Allyson Meeks … plans to major in business.
Shawn Curtis
Offensive Lineman
6-5, 270, Fr.
Orlando, Fla. (Olympia)
High School: Was selected for All-State and All-Metro honors … ranked as one of the top 20 players in Central Florida … high school team made the first round of the state playoffs … high school team was 7-5 his junior year, during which he was named second-team All-State, All-Metro and ranked among the top 22 players on the All-Central Florida team … team made second round of the state playoffs his junior season … All-Metro as a sophomore as team went 7-4 and made first round of the state playoffs … was named the Most Outstanding Freshman on his high school squad … prep squad went 9-2 and qualified for the state playoffs … coached in high school by Bob Head.
Personal: Born Oct. 10, 1994 in Orlando, Fla. … son of Clinton and Lori Curtis … plans to major in business.
Aaron Wimberly
Running Back
5-11, 180, Jr.
Snellville, Ga. (Iowa Western CC/Gwinnett)
Junior College: Earned second-team All-America honors his sophomore campaign for team that won the 2012 national junior college championship … also earned first-team all-conference honors, rushing for 1,150 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging 7.4 yards per carry … made 10 receptions for 114 yards and returned a kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown … coached by Scott Strohmeier … had 887 yards rushing on 174 carries as a freshman for a 9-2 team that won conference title … was first-team all-conference and earned All-America honors.
High School: Topped 1,000 yards rushing as a senior for team that went 10-2 and made second round of state playoffs … member of Gwinnett County All-Stars and played in the North-South All-Star game … rushed for 935 yards as a junior, as team went 10-2 and made second round of the state playoffs … member of Gwinnett County All-Star team … rushed for 887 yards as a sophomore as team made first round of the state playoffs … coached in high school by John Smalls … also competed on track team.
Personal: Born July 15, 1992 in Miami, Fla. … son of Rufus and Kim Wimberly.
Emmanuel Bibbs
Tight End
6-3, 245 Jr.
Chicago, Ill. (Arizona Western CC)
Junior College: Second-team All-American junior college selection … caught 22 passes for 230 yards and six touchdowns for Arizona Western College as a sophomore … team finished the season with an 8-2 record … saved his best for his last juco game with a play in the 2012 El Toro Bowl in which he caught a ball at the Nassau 35-yard line, and weaved through half the Lions’ defense for a highlight-reel touchdown that would up giving the Matadors the lead for good in their 42-37 victory … originally signed with Iowa and spent one semester there before going to junior college … as a freshman, made a 6-yard TD reception for his first juco catch and snared three catches for 19 yards in the NJCAA National Championship game against East Mississippi in the 2011 Toro Bowl.
High School: Attended Bogan High School in Chicago, Ill.
