Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Humboldt's Caden Matson scrambles for a first down during the Class 3A state semifinals against Harlan in November.

HUMBOLDT — Caden Matson didn’t want to wonder what if.

Other schools showed serious interest in the Humboldt senior all-state football player, but the lure of testing the Big 12 waters was simply too attractive for Matson to ignore.

Matson committed to head coach Matt Campbell and the Iowa State University football program this week, taking a preferred walk-on package from the Cyclones over other non-FCS offers. The 6-0, 185-pound quarterback and defensive back will likely be a safety at the next level.

“What motivated me to choose the Cyclones over other options was the connections I made with the coaches,” Matson said. “You hear about all the great things that are going on at ISU, and from my first time on campus, I knew that was all true and more.

“Obviously Coach Campbell is a great coach and an even better person, but I was so incredibly impressed by the staff as a whole. Coach (Deon) Broomfield (who coaches safeties) is an incredible person. I’m extremely excited to be able to learn under him.”

Matson had also given serious consideration to the University of Northern Iowa and traditional Div. II power Northwest Missouri State.

“They’re both great schools, but I felt ISU was the best fit for me,” said Matson, who plans on majoring in agricultural business. “My dream since I was little was to play D-I football, so when the opportunity with the Cyclones arrived, I knew it was going to be hard to pass up.

“Going into the recruiting process, my preference of position was definitely quarterback. I loved having the ball in my hand and being in control. However, as I got deeper into it, most schools wanted me to play safety, so I ran with it.”

Matson helped lead the Wildcats to the Class 3A state semifinals this past fall, throwing for 2,611 yards and running for 1,636 more. He tallied 49 total offensive touchdowns.

Defensively, Matson recorded 59 tackles, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Humboldt went unbeaten in the regular season for the first time since 1990, and ended the year 11-1 overall.

“I feel my best asset as an athlete and a leader is the knowledge and poise that I play with,” Matson said. “I enjoy reading what the other team is doing, thinking back to what I know from watching film, and figuring out what play they are going to run.”

Matson, also an all-North Central Conference basketball and baseball player, will be a member of ISU’s highest-ranked recruiting class ever. Currently, Matson is averaging 12.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists for the third-ranked (Class 3A) Wildcats, who are 15-1 on the hardwood.