Cedar Rapids Kennedy senior Josh Jahlas wants to see if he's good enough to play football in the Big 12 Conference after earning all-state honors this past season.

That's why he turned down chances to pursue a scholarship with NCAA Division II schools in order to join the Iowa State Cyclones as a walk-on this fall.

"I feel like if I just get in the program and work hard I'll eventually start to play," he said Thursday night. "I might not play for a couple of years, but I'll eventually play.

"In the future, I don't want to regret not trying. I don't want to look back on my life some day and regret anything like that. I just want to try as hard as I can."

Jahlas, 6-foot-2, 180, was a first-team pick on the Iowa Newspaper Association all-state team this year on defense after leading the Cougars with 116 tackles in 10 games. He was a safety and linebacker for Kennedy and also caught 21 passes for 454 yards and three touchdowns.

He's not sure what position he'll play at Iowa State, but mentioned safety or outside linebacker as possibilities.

"I don't really know," he said. "I'm just going to try and get in the system and do whatever they need me to do. I'll probably play special teams the first couple of years and then try to work my way into the lineup."

Jahlas did not grow up rooting for the Cyclones.

"Not really," he confessed. "I actually grew up more of a Hawkeye fan. After I've taken some visits and stuff, I've definitely changed."

Jahlas visited Iowa State on Wednesday and accepted an offer to join the program.

"I feel pretty good," he said. "They've got a lot of good things going for them. I like their philosophy a lot. I like the hard-working attitude. It fits with what I've been doing at Kennedy, so it's great."