Running back Sheldon Croney and offensive lineman Jaypee Philbert helped Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads salvage a recruiting class that took some late hits.

Five players who had committed to Iowa State changed their minds in recent weeks, but getting Philbert, a 6-foot-4, 305-pounder from Coffeyville, Kansas, Community College, helped ease that sting, as did this week’s commitment from Croney, who rushed for more than 2,000 yards in each of his final two high school seasons in Bakersfield, California.

But even as Rhoads announced his 25-player class Wednesday, he revealed that wide receiver Tad Ecby and running back DeVondrick Nealy have left the team. Their departures follow the dismissal last month of safety T.J. Mutcherson and wide receiver P.J. Harris.

All four players were major contributors.