Ankeny offensive lineman Joe Kingston has verbally committed to play football at Minnesota State-Mankato.
Kingston picked the Mavericks over Pittsburg State (Kan.). His teammate, defensive end Diego Jackson, previously committed to the program.
“It was really a two-dog race between Pitt State and Mankato for a long time,” said Kingston. “My visit up to Mankato really made me fall in love with the college.”
Kingston was a three-year starter who helped Ankeny to a 30-6 record from 2020-22. As a sophomore, he helped the Hawks to the Class 4A state title.
Kingston was named to the all-state second team as a junior after Ankeny again reached the championship game before falling to Southeast Polk in the Class 5A final. As a senior, he anchored the offensive line for a team that reached the Class 5A quarterfinals and was selected to the all-state first team.
Kingston will be reunited with former Ankeny teammates Colin Kadolph and Max Pelham. Kadolph is a freshman running back for the Mavericks, while Pelham is a freshman place-kicker.
Minnesota State posted a 10-3 record in 2022. The Mavericks closed out the season with a 48-45 loss to the Colorado School of Mines in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.
“I’ve talked to Kadolph and Pelham about how things work up there and from the (beginning) I was invested in it,” Kingston said.