Iowa State Football: Incoming Freshman Suffers Gunshot in California

Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports

A future defensive back for the Iowa State Cyclones was shot earlier this month at his hometown in California, but his recovery won’t hinder his plans of heading to Ames next month.

Kamari Cotton-Moya suffered a gunshot wound back on May 19th when leaving his friend’s house in Bakersfield. The incident wasn’t on purpose, according to a report by the Ames Tribune’s Bobby La Gesse.

"One [bullet] hit Cotton-Moya in the shoulder. Jones was hit in the face and shoulder.Both were released from the hospital.“I was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Cotton-Moya said. “It wasn’t on purpose.”Cotton-Moya said the bullet just grazed his arm and that he was more worried for his friend than himself. He spent about 30 minutes in the hospital and said he is already lifting weights again."

The injury won’t prevent Cotton-Moya from training normally with the team when he makes it to Ames on June 16th.

Cotton-Moya signed his letter of intent with Iowa State back on February 6th. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound defensive back is a three-star recruit on 247Sports with an 80 ranking, just about on board with most recruiting services.

Even though Cotton-Moya will be joining as a defensive back, he also played at quarterback in high school. Last season, he completed 65-130 passes for 1,341 yards, 13 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He also had 208 carries for over 2,200 yards and 27 touchdowns.